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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Location
Ithaca, New York
Start Date
27-9-1983 12:00 AM
Description
A wide variety of methods is used to reduce potential hazards to non target species when baiting out-of-doors for rodents. The principles involved in making rodent baits highly selective hinge on the biology, particularly the feeding habits and food preferences of the target species. The differences or uniqueness of both the at-risk nontarget animals and the target animals should be assessed and then capitalized upon where possible in terms of susceptibility to toxicant, kind, size and shape of bait, etc. Generally only a few nontarget species are at risk in any particular situation, and the degree of this risk also varies. For example, strictly insectivorous birds are not at risk when rodent baits made of cereals are used. Predatory or carnivorous mammals and birds also are not at risk since they, too, are not likely to consume cereal baits. However, predatory and scavenger species, may be at some potential risk from secondary poisoning, depending on the toxicant used and other considerations. But techniques used to mitigate secondary hazards are a subject unto themselves and are not included in this paper.
Recommended Citation
Marsh, R. E. (1983). Rodenticide selection and bait composition to minimize potential primary hazard to nontarget species when baiting field rodents. In Decker, D. J. (Ed.), The First Eastern Wildlife Damage Control Conference (pp. 155-159). Ithaca, NY: Cornell University.
Included in
Rodenticide Selection and Bait Composition to Minimize Potential Primary Hazard to Nontarget Species When Baiting Field Rodents
Ithaca, New York
A wide variety of methods is used to reduce potential hazards to non target species when baiting out-of-doors for rodents. The principles involved in making rodent baits highly selective hinge on the biology, particularly the feeding habits and food preferences of the target species. The differences or uniqueness of both the at-risk nontarget animals and the target animals should be assessed and then capitalized upon where possible in terms of susceptibility to toxicant, kind, size and shape of bait, etc. Generally only a few nontarget species are at risk in any particular situation, and the degree of this risk also varies. For example, strictly insectivorous birds are not at risk when rodent baits made of cereals are used. Predatory or carnivorous mammals and birds also are not at risk since they, too, are not likely to consume cereal baits. However, predatory and scavenger species, may be at some potential risk from secondary poisoning, depending on the toxicant used and other considerations. But techniques used to mitigate secondary hazards are a subject unto themselves and are not included in this paper.