SEDL / STP / STP680-EB / STP34963S

Age as a Factor in Rodent Susceptibility to Rodenticides—A Review

Salmon, TP
extension wildlife specialist (Animal Damage), University of California, Davis, Calif

Marsh, RE
Specialist in vertebrate ecology, University of California, Davis, Calif

Pages: 15    Published: Jun 1979

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Abstract

Age is discussed as a factor in the susceptibility of animals to iodenticides such as strychnine, ANTU, anticoagulants, arsenic, crimidine, endrin, barium carbonate, and chemosterilants. Age-differential mortality will be of importance if the difference is great enough and if baits cannot be strengthened without the loss of bait acceptance. Some possible implications of these age-related differences to actual rodent control practices and to laboratory and field efficacy tests are discussed. Agerelated toxicity differences of some rodenticides to certain nontarget species are included for practical and comparative purposes. Age-specific toxicity tests are suggested. The authors speculate that age-related behavioral traits may play an independent role or compound an age-toxicity association.