Bait satation for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) by Saad Abdul Wahab

Rodent Control by “BAIT STATIONS”

Remember, we mostly use open poison for rodent control, which is useless and dangerous as well, these bait stations are more preferable in safety as well as effectiveness also it declares the movement zones of rodents,

Advantages of Bait stations over the method of open poison;

Bait stations enhance the efficiency of rodenticide use by providing one or more of the following benefits:

1. protect bait from moisture and dust;
2. provide a protected place for rodents to feed, allow­ing them to feel more secure and consume more bait;
3. keep non-target species, including pets, livestock, wildlife, and children away from toxic baits;
4. permit bait placement in otherwise difficult locations given weather or potential hazards to non-target animals;
5. help prevent the accidental spilling of bait; and
6. offer the applicator easy access to bait to determine the amount of feeding by rodents, and for refilling. 

 In short..

1. Bait station restricts the movement of poison,
2. It declares the high movement zone of rodents,
3. It keeps the poison safe against dislocationing,
4.  It is most safe choice against use of poison.

Use of bait station is internationally recommended method that fulfills safety requirements.

Also we are going to install 15 Glue traps (non poisonous) inside the production. The Glue Traps will be installed inside the production after meeting with you.

Please read the complete content given below about Bait stations, hopefully it will satisfy you.

Using bait stations in rodent control increases both the effectiveness and safety of rodenticide use.

Bait Selection

Rodenticides are categorized according to their mode of action (Table I). Awareness of how rodenticides work is helpful in using them properly to obtain desired control.

Rodenticides categorized by mode of action.
Mode of Action	Anticoagulants
1st Generation	warfarin diphacinone chlorophacinone
2nd Generation	brodifacoum difethialone bromadiolone difenacoum
Non-anticoagulants	bromethalin cholecalciferol zinc phosphide

We are using 2^nd Generation and Non-Anticoagulants, (Bold & Red)

1.       Rodents feeding on second-generation rodenticides only succumb a day or two sooner. This delay in lethality prevents bait-shyness.

2.       Non-anticoagulant rodenticides kill rodents by interfering with the nervous system (bromethalin), calcium levels in the blood (cholecalciferol), or by generating a toxic gas internally after ingestion (zinc phosphide).

The EPA has established safety criteria that bait stations must fulfill before receiving the designation “tamper resistant” (PR Notice 94-7). Tamper resistant stations must be:

1. Resistant to destruction or weakening by weather,
2. Strong enough to prohibit entry or destruction by dogs and children under 6 years of age using their hands, feet, or objects in the environment,
3. Capable of being locked or sealed,
4. Equipped with rodent entrances that readily allow target animals access to baits but deny access to larger animals and birds,
5. Capable of being anchored (and must be anchored when used),
6. Equipped with internal structures for containing,
7. Made of design and color not especially attractive to children, and
8. Capable of displaying precautionary statements in a prominent location.

Table III. Minimum standards for bait stations for rats and mice.
	Hole Size	Length	Width	Height
Rats	2¼”	12¼”	11.0”	3.0-4.0”
Mice	¾”	5¼”	3¾”	1¼”

Bait Station Placement

The quality and effectiveness of manufactured rodenticides are so high that any lack of consumption of toxicants by rodents usually is caused by human error. Rats and mice will not visit bait stations, regardless of their contents, if they are not located conveniently in areas of rodent activity. When possible, place the stations between the rodents’ food supply and their shelter. Position bait stations near rodent burrows, against walls, and along their travel routes. Look for signs of activity such as droppings, gnawing, tracks, and rub marks to identify sites to place bait stations. Norway rats will travel up to 400 feet from their nests, so rat stations can be placed 15 to 50 feet apart. It is important to be patient when controlling rats. Rats often are suspicious of new or unfamiliar objects. Do not be surprised if some rats wait up to two weeks before feeding at your bait stations or ignore them altogether. Do not use mouse-sized stations when rats are present as they can gnaw into mouse-sized stations and expose the toxicant. House mice seldom venture more than 50 feet from their nests or food, so place bait stations no more than 12 feet apart in areas where mice are active.

Never place bait stations where livestock, pets, or other non-target animals can disturb them. Non-target poisonings can occur in unusual ways.

Remember: Do not ignore this (underlined) points.

Avoid placing bait stations in areas exposed to afternoon sunshine. Internal temperatures of bait stations exposed to the sun can be 20 to 30 percent hotter than the surrounding air — hot enough to melt bait blocks. If stations must be placed in direct sunlight, choose gray- or white-colored stations and use non-paraffin-based toxicants.

Bait Station Maintenance

After installing bait stations to eliminate an infestation, check them daily and add fresh bait as needed. After a short time, rodent numbers and feeding will decline, and surveillance of stations will be necessary only every two to four weeks. Monitor bait stations regularly to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fresh bait. Rats and mice often reject spoiled or stale foods. Provide enough fresh bait for rodents to eat sufficiently, but do not overfill. Empty, clean, and refill the bait station with fresh bait, when bait becomes moldy, musty, soiled, or insect infested. If the bait was contained in a single-use station, dispose of the station and its contents according to the directions on the label.

Remember: Use hard chocolate coating which remains fresh for upto months.

When performing maintenance on reusable stations, always wear appropriate safety equipment as specified by the label, including disposable gloves. Avoid excessive cleaning, as rodents are more likely to enter a bait station containing the odors and droppings of previous visitors. If cleaning must be performed, use the following procedure:

1. Open bait station,
2. Empty old bait or place aside if bait is still fresh enough to be used,
3. Spray interior with any common disinfectant or 10 percent bleach solution, being sure to dampen any droppings,
4. Let dry,
5. Empty contents into plastic bag and dispose according to the label, and
6. Refill station.

If ants are a problem, treat the interior of the station (especially the bait tray) with a low-odor, liquid pyrethroid insecticide. Let the insecticide dry before filling the station with toxicant. Insecticides likely will not deter rodents, provided that the insecticide is applied at label rates. Another option is to sprinkle insecticide granules on and around the immediate area before placing the station. Never directly treat rodent bait with insecticide. Always follow all label directions for the products you are using.

What do we say at Pest Control Products?

While mouse bait stations are undoubtedly efficient at killing mice, and they are as safe as it gets with using poison in the home, rodent poison will still cause the rodent to suffer prior to its death. Unlike an electronic mouse trap, for example, the animal is not killed instantly. Poison takes a certain time to work, even fast poison, and there will be suffering during that time.

At Pest Control Products we believe that while a mouse bait station is a very effective and safe method of getting rid of mice in the home,

Regards

Saad Abdul Wahab

Head of HSE Depart.

Indus Pharma (Pvt) Ltd.

Cell # +92-313-233-8340