Contrary to popular belief, rats prefer fresh, high-quality foods and will reject spoiled or inferior food items when given a choice. Therefore, rodent baits should be made from high-quality food materials, and baits which have become rancid or insect-infested should be discarded. Usually corn, oats, wheat, or barley are the grains most preferred by commensal rodents.

Preference varies between rodent populations and among individuals. Baits similar to foods that rodents are accustomed to eating are often a good choice, particularly if their normal foods are limited or can be made less available to them.



To determine bait preference, a bait-choice test can be conducted by placing about 4 ounces (115 g) of each of several nontoxic baits about one foot (30 cm) apart in several locations where rodents are present. Baits are then checked during the next few days to determine which foods are preferred. Rats are suspicious of new objects and novel foods; therefore, they may not accept a new bait until the third or fourth day.

Rodenticides are available in various formulations. Grain-based baits in a loose meal or pelleted form are available in bulk or packaged in small, 4- to 16-ounce (112-to 454-g) plastic, cellophane, or paper "place packs". These packets keep bait fresh and make it easy to place baits into burrows, walls, or other locations. Rodents will gnaw into these bags to feed on acceptable baits. Pelleted baits can more easily be carried by rats to other locations. Such hoarding of food by rats is not uncommon and may result in bait being moved to places where it is undetected or difficult to recover. In some cases these baits may then become hazardous to nontarget species. Anticoagulant baits have also been formulated into wax and extruded blocks. These are generally less readily accepted by rodents.



USE PRECAUTIONS!

Rodenticides, like all other pesticides, must be handled responsibly, and used in accordance with the label instructions. Please be careful.