WHY USE CHEMICAL RODENTICIDES?
People have been at odds with rodents for thousands of years. Many methods have been used to control rats and mice and most people are familiar with the idea of traps and the use of cats and other natural enemies. Much more could be done to prevent problems caused by rats using simple ‘housekeeping’ measures, for example clearing away food and rubbish, rat-proofing buildings and making the environment around buildings unattractive by removing cover from predators. In practice, rats are controlled most effectively by poisoning, especially when their numbers have increased rapidly to a high level. The trouble with rats is that they are very intelligent and well-adapted to living alongside humans. Rats, however, cannot vomit to get rid of toxic substances. One adaptation that helps rats to avoid poisoning is neophobia (fear of new aspects of their environment) and their cautious approach to new food. When a rat finds new food, it samples only a little and waits for a while before it
