Method of Selecting Preferred Baits and Rodenticides1

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo conduct bait‐choice tests, with species that will enter bait boxes, requires at least 10 bait boxes (25–40 cm long and about 20 cm deep) with openings at opposite corners, for exposing 3 to 5 trays of potential baits. Floors of boxes are dusted with a thin layer of talc or ground clay. The same boxes can be used to determine acceptance of the proven preferred bait treated with different rodenticides at different concentrations, except that different toxicants cannot be compared in the same box unless only chronic (multiple‐feeding) anticoagulants are used. Tracking tunnels or stations can be used to obtain a relative pre‐ and post‐control census of rodent populations. They are especially useful for determining whether there are survivors. If there axe survivors, the above non‐toxic bait‐acceptance tests and acceptance of prepared toxic bait tests must be repeated, for it is paramount to learn why the survivors were not poisoned.