Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Volume 4 Number 6 June, 1963 Article 12

1-1-1963

Anticoagulants for the control of rats and mice

C D. Gooding

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Recommended Citation Gooding, C D. (1963) "Anticoagulants for the control of rats and mice," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4: Vol. 4 : No. 6 , Article 12. Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture4/vol4/iss6/12

This article is brought to you for free and open access by Research Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4 by an authorized administrator of Research Library. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ANTICOAGULANTS FOR THE CONTROL OF RATS AND MICE

By C. D. GOODING

ATELY there have been many requests for information on suitable poisons to use L in baiting rats and mice. Most enquirers have stated that they "tried a certain brand of bait" and found that the rats only "ate it up and kept coming back for more." This article on Warfarin—as a rat and mouse poison—is presented to clear up some of the problems of rodent poisoning.

WHAT IS THE BEST POISON TO USE? There now seems to be only two main About two years ago an types of poison used in any quantity for article in the Journal of Agri­ rodent poisoning throughout the world. culture dealt with rat and These are: mouse control in terms of the 1.—The Sodium fluoroacetate group (in­ animals themselves, public cluding 1080). health hazards and control These are not permitted for rat and measures for the city dweller mouse poisoning in Australia at present. and the farmer. However, they are used extensively by authorities in Great Britain and the U.S.A. The control measures dealt in situations where the danger of their with were:— being accidently eaten by humans is negligible. • Fumigation Although more spectacular in their effect on a rodent population, it is hard • Exclusion to say whether they are any more efficient for rat and mouse control than— • Trapping 2.—The Warfarin Derivative group. • Poisoning The average farmer or householder wanting to control rats or mice will search around for a bait material which will drop the bodies close to where the bait is laid. If you are interested in In this way he will be quite sure that he these aspects of the problem has at least killed some of the rodents. I suggest you read the article However this is not usually a good meas­ which is available as Depart­ ure of success and probably means that he ment of Agriculture Bulletin has missed killing most of the population. No. 2803. Rats are intelligent animals with reason­ ing ability and when they see their com­ panions dying near to the bait material 388

Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 6, 1963 The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is common throughout the world. (Picture by courtesy H.M.S.O. England)

(and quick acting poisons generally pro­ and degenerative processes which occur in duce violent reactions), they invariably the body. If blood clotting is weakened by nove to some other feeding area. Warfarin the presence of dicourmarol (or War­ does not cause a violent reaction in the farin) to the point where it cannot con­ animal, or death close to the bait. This tinue, then the animal simply bleeds to is why it has been accepted throughout death internally. The end result is much the world as the best poison for rat and the same as that produced by anaemia— mouse control. it is slow and painless as far as man can ascertain. The animals go away to die quietly and do not upset the remaining WHAT IS WARFARIN? population, which carries on eating until The chemical name for Warfarin is they too succumb to the poison. 3- (oc acetonylbenzyl) -4-hydroxycouramin. This indicates that it is a relative of dicourmarol—a compound well known for HOW IS WARFARIN USED? its effect on the clotting of blood. For the warehouse keeper or person with In the presence of dicourmarol, clotting a big area to treat, there is a concentrated time is greatly increased. Warfarin has form available which can be mixed with exactly the same effect on all warm 20 times its own weight of a carrier such blooded animals (or birds) which eat it. as crushed cereal grain. For the average If eaten over a period of days the rate of householder, proprietary lines containing clotting is gradually reduced. Warfarin are available through most gen­ Clotting is not only important for the eral stores and stock agents. healing of external wounds, but also for It is impossible to say without some repair of the numerous tissue breakdowns knowledge of the layout of the area to be 389

Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 6, 1963 Stored csreal grain damaged by rats and (Picture by courtesy H.M.S.O. England) treated, and the rodent population, how It is most important to treat the whole much bait material should be used. As area simultaneously to prevent reinfesta- with most sedentary animals and birds, tion from adjoining parts of the establish­ each family group of mice occupy and ment. seldom move out of a well defined territory. To calculate the amount of bait to buy All their feeding is generally done within it can be assumed that one mouse will eat this territory, which may be quite small— up to 2 oz. and one rat about half a pound in fact only a few square yards in area. of bait before it dies. It is obvious that This fact becomes most important when the householder who buys only a 4 oz. planning the distribution of baiting points. packet to treat a home or shed overrun Unless the bait is available within the with mice is doomed to failure. If rats feeding range or territory of every rodent are present the position is even more some will escape. ludicrous. In ordinary households it is suggested that 2 to 4 oz. of bait be placed in each room where the pests are known to exist. The baits should be examined every morn­ HOW LONG TO POISON ing and if all the bait has been eaten then It takes about five to seven days to kill the quantity should be doubled. After two the pests. A single massive dose of War­ cr three days it should be possible to deter­ farin would probably have little effect, mine how much bait is needed at each whereas a small amount eaten each day point. for five to seven days will kill. This is the In storage rooms or sheds it has some­ most important point for householders and times been found that more than one bait­ other users of Warfarin bait to remember. ing station is needed; common sense will Warfarin bait should be left exposed usually tell you how many should be used. until all feeding has stopped. Some people Bait should be taken from the points make it available to the rodents at all where it is not eaten and removed to t:'mes so that any new influx of the pests another locality. can feed as soon as they enter the premises.

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In this way they have been able to keep of children. Safe places are behind cup­ their properties virtually clear. boards, under temporary shields nailed to Strict attention to the disposal of food the wall or skirting boards, or in boxes wastes is most important. with small entrance holes. Children or pets must eat the bait daily over a period of time for it to be dangerous. IS WARFARIN DANGEROUS TO HUMANS, Even in large quantities a single dose would STOCK OR PETS? have little effect. This is why Warfarin All warm blooded animals or birds will is considered the safest bait now in use. be killed if they eat enough Warfarin over a period of time. There is little danger of stock being poisoned unless they are housed in barns or sheds where bait has CAUSES OF BAITING FAILURES been laid. Baiting failures can usually be put down There are several known cases of dogs to one of three reasons. These are: and pet birds being poisoned by Warfarin. • Baiting time was too short and Dogs which are fed regularly on dog not enough was eaten for it to be biscuits or meal are specially susceptible effective. as they already have a liking for cereal products. The danger to dogs and cats • Not enough bait was put out for should not be overlooked. There is no each rodent to get enough to kill doubt the danger exists, specially when it. treating large infestations of rodents. • Not enough baiting points were Free flying budgerigars and cockatoos used simultaneously and almost should also be safeguarded. immediate reinfestation occurred The danger to humans can be practically from other over-populated regions eliminated if the bait is put out of reach close to the baited area. 393

Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 6, 1963 IN BRIEF Stocks can be obtained from departmental Warfarin is the best rat and mouse or general stores and stock agents. poison now available in Western Australia. If your experience with Warfarin poison It has achieved outstanding success has not been satisfactory it was probably throughout the world and is used in nearly because the bait was not applied correctly. every country where rats and mice are an If you are worried again by rats or mice, economic problem; mostly against exactly give Warfarin another try, but this time the same species as we have in Australia. be sure to— Until 1080 or some other improved • Treat the whole affected area rodenticide becomes available for rodent simultaneously. control, Warfarin will be used in one form or another as our major poison against • Have enough baiting points so that these pests. all the rodents can find the bait Because of its characteristic of slowly material readily. creeping up on its victim and taking him • Use enough bait to satisfy each by surprise, it does not cause bait shyness. animal's appetite each day. This is important in the poisoning of any Remember—the bait should be left out pest animal. for at least five to seven days. The danger to humans can be minimised If these rules are carried out you will and practically eliminated if the bait is only obtain good results from Warfarin. exposed in places that are out of the reach of children. It does constitute some danger to pets but this can also be reduced by ACKNOWLEDGMENT sensible handling and adopting the gen­ Pictures by permission of H.M.S.O. eral precautions printed on the label. England.

394 Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 6, 1963 From "The West Australian," Monday, 29th April, 1963: "Thieves started a fire which caused damage to Parrys Department Store, Sutherland Street, West Perth, early yesterday when they tried unsuccessfully to blow open the firm's safe . . . The explosion set fire . . . Within minutes the building was almost engulfed in flames. Furniture, television sets and electrical goods including stoves, radios and refriger­ ators, were destroyed in the blaze . . . was partly covered by insurance. About 50 per cent, of the stock had been saved and the store would be open for business today . . . Records of customers' orders had been de­ stroyed . . . spent yesterday salvaging undamaged goods."

^Jhe principals of / arrus aoDeparlment, Stc~J>tore wiS>li to tlianli the manu friends who called and came to helt

after the lire.

Most of the wreckage has been cleared and all the usual business transactions operate from our second building (next door). Deliveries were not disrupted, other than those on orders placed on Saturday, 27th April, the day of the fire. Until the Cafeteria re-opens (when building recon­ struction is complete), the Snack Bar will supply Hot Pies, Cigarettes, etc.

We invite you to inspect present conditions as shown

in this outline ol our propertu.

Business as Usual and Office Staff Explosion and Fire Snack Bar Room to Park a Fire Sale Semi-Trailer

DEPT. Partes STORE WEST PERTH fME CUSTOMER PARKING

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Journal of Agruculture Vol 4 No 6, 1963