What percentage of all rodenticide products used in pest management are anticoagulants?

Anticoagulants represent approximately 90 percent of all rodenticide products used in pest management due to their effectiveness and low toxicity to humans and non-target wildlife when used properly. These rodenticides work by disrupting the blood-clotting process in rodents, leading to death over a period of days after ingestion. This delayed action is beneficial for pest control as it allows rodents to return to their nests, potentially exposing other individuals in the population to the bait.

The high prevalence of anticoagulants in rodenticide formulations can be attributed to their proven track record in managing rodent populations effectively while balancing safety concerns for non-target species. Other categories of rodenticides, such as acute toxins, are used less frequently because they pose greater risks of secondary poisoning to predators and scavengers that may consume affected rodents. Thus, knowledge of the reliance on anticoagulant rodenticides is critical for pest management practices and understanding the overall landscape of rodent control strategies.