How much bait should be given to a rat? - briefly
A single dose of roughly 0.5 g of properly formulated rodenticide bait, adjusted for the active ingredient concentration, provides an effective amount for one adult rat.
How much bait should be given to a rat? - in detail
The dosage of rodent attractant must correspond to the bait’s formulation, the target animal’s size, and the intended exposure period. Commercial products are classified by active ingredient concentration, typically expressed as a percentage of the total mass. For a single adult rat, the recommended amount generally ranges from 0.5 g to 2 g of mixed bait, depending on the concentration:
- Low‑potency formulations (0.1 %–0.5 % active ingredient): 1.5 g – 2 g per rat.
- Medium‑potency formulations (0.5 %–1 %): 1 g – 1.5 g per rat.
- High‑potency formulations (1 %–2 %): 0.5 g – 1 g per rat.
These figures assume a single exposure and a healthy adult weighing 250 g – 300 g. Adjustments are necessary when dealing with juveniles, pregnant females, or multiple individuals sharing a bait station; in such cases, reduce the per‑rat amount by 20 %–30 % to avoid excessive intake.
Safety margins are built into product labeling. The lethal dose (LD₅₀) for most anticoagulant rodenticides lies between 20 mg kg⁻¹ and 30 mg kg⁻¹. Calculating the maximum safe amount involves dividing the LD₅₀ by a safety factor (commonly 10). For a 300 g rat, the safe upper limit equals approximately 0.6 mg of active ingredient. Convert this value to bait mass using the product’s concentration to verify compliance with the recommended range.
Placement of bait influences consumption. Stationary containers limit access to the intended species and reduce waste. Rotate bait locations every 48 hours to maintain novelty and prevent habituation. Monitor depletion rates; a rapid decline may indicate over‑application or non‑target interference.
In summary, select bait based on potency, apply 0.5 g – 2 g per adult rat, adjust for special populations, respect the calculated safety ceiling, and manage distribution to ensure effective, responsible use.