This article aims to provide information about the changes regarding rodenticides and the reduction of the active substance content in the formulations, as well as their separation into professional and amateur use.
According to European Union Regulation 2016/1179, from 01/03/18, rodenticides used by consumers or farmers will have a significantly reduced active substance content. This reduction for all active substances from 0.005% is reduced to 0.003%. This of course does not mean that all rodenticides will contain 0.003% of the active substance. The content may be even lower and even reach 0.001%.
Professional users
Regarding professionals, where professionals are exclusively defined as exterminators, the maximum content of 0.005% in any active substance will continue to apply to rodenticides. Therefore, when it comes to a professional area, such as an industry, a mill or any storage area, the current situation regarding the content, and therefore the effectiveness of rodenticides, will continue to exist.
The reason for the reduction
The reason why the content of these active substances was reduced is related to the risk to the environment (it concerns other, except rodenticides, active substances) but also to the risk that they can cause to non-target organisms, such as other living beings.
Will the effectiveness of rodenticides be reduced?
In reality, however, the fact of reducing the active substances does not imply a reduction in the effectiveness of rodenticides. The mouse, after tasting its food, wants to be full. This means that it will not be satisfied with a few grams. As long as the mouse approves of its food, it will eat as much as it needs to be full. Any problem can arise where there is a very large population of mice. The solution in this case can be given by regular re-baiting. That is, once the mouse killer is consumed, we should add another amount until it is no longer consumed.
In the case in which the existence of mice is determined despite the bait, we have no choice but to change the mouse killer with another that is more attractive to them. As we would do with a mouse killer with a higher content of active substance. Therefore, nothing should scare the consumer and make him think that he is now “feeding” the mice. It may take a little more patience and regular spraying with more mouse killer to get rid of mice, whether they are found in houses and warehouses or even mice in fields.