What is used in rat bait? - briefly
Rat baits typically contain anticoagulant rodenticides—such as brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or warfarin—combined with food‑based attractants like grain, peanut butter, or cheese to promote ingestion.
What is used in rat bait? - in detail
Rodent control products contain active ingredients that target the nervous system, metabolism, or blood clotting of rats. The most common categories are anticoagulants, neurotoxins, and metabolic disruptors.
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Anticoagulants:
First‑generation: warfarin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone – require multiple feedings to cause fatal internal bleeding.
Second‑generation: brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum – more potent, lethal after a single ingestion. -
Neurotoxins:
Bromethalin: interferes with mitochondrial ATP production, leading to paralysis and death within 24–48 hours.
Zinc phosphide: reacts with stomach acid to release phosphine gas, causing rapid respiratory failure. -
Metabolic poisons:
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3): induces hypercalcemia, resulting in kidney failure and cardiac arrest.
Formulation components that enhance effectiveness include:
- Attractants: grain, peanut butter, cheese, or synthetic scents that stimulate feeding behavior.
- Palatability agents: sugars, fats, or emulsifiers that mask the bitterness of active chemicals.
- Binders and fillers: wheat flour, cornmeal, or cellulose that give the bait a stable, chewable texture.
- Preservatives: antioxidants or moisture‑retaining agents that extend shelf life and maintain potency under varying environmental conditions.
Regulatory standards require precise concentration limits for each active compound to balance efficacy with safety for non‑target species. Manufacturers must label dosage, placement instructions, and hazard warnings to ensure proper application and minimize accidental exposure.