Toxicants & Fumigants

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Definitions–See Glossary

Toxicant–substance used to poison a problem animal, typically through ingestion.

Fumigant–gas used to poison a nuisance animal as it breathes.

General Use Pesticides (GUP) may be purchased over-the-counter.

Restricted Use Pesticides (RUP) require a pesticide applicator’s license to purchase and use.

Secondary poisoning-Injury to an organism that ate the animal that was poisoned originally.

Facts about Pesticides

• No one can guarantee where a poisoned animal will die.
• No pesticide can be called “SAFE”. You can only use pesticides more safely or less safely.
• Most negative incidents with toxicants and fumigants occur because the applicator failed to follow the instructions on the label.

Fumigants

1. Phosphine Gas

• Phostoxin– Degesch America
  • Fumigation Management Plan (FMP) is required when using this product.

2. Charcoal-Potassium Nitrate

Used as a rodent fumigant in burrows, carbon (charcoal) formulated with several other pesticide active ingredients (sodium and potassium nitrates and sulfur), is used in pyrotechnic fumigant gas cartridge products. When a cartridge is ignited and placed in a pest burrow, it produces carbon monoxide and other gases that kill target pests.

Toxicants in Rodenticides

Anticoagulants

First Generation	Active Ingredient	Feeding
	Warfarin	Multi-feed
	Chlorophacinone	Multi-feed
	Diphacinone	Multi-feed
Second Generation
	Brodifacoum	Single Feed
	Bromadiolone	Single Feed
	Difenacoum	Single Feed
	Difethialone	Single Feed

Non-Anticoagulants

Active Ingredient	Feeding	Mode of Action
Bromethalin	Single Feed	Interferes with the animal’s nervous system
Cholecalciferol	Single Feed	Causes internal bleeding and kidney injury by increasing calcium levels to  a lethal level
Zinc Phosphide	Single Feed	Blocks cells from making energy, and the cells die

Resources

Bait Station Use— Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln