Summary of New EPA Restrictions

“Consumer Size” Products (Products containing ≤ 1 pound of bait)

• May not contain brodifacoum, difethialone, bromadiolone, or difenacoum (the second-generation anticoagulants).
• Loose bait forms such as pellets are prohibited.
• Each retail unit must include a bait station.
• Bait refills may be sold with bait stations in a single retail unit.
• All outdoor above ground use must be in a bait station and be applied within 50 feet of buildings.

Integrated Pest Management Will Improve Effectiveness

Integrated pest management (IPM), a multi-faceted approach to pest control, is essential for effective management of rodents in and around households. In most situations, mice and rats cannot be controlled using rodenticides alone. Effective rodent control also requires sanitation, rodent-proofing, and removal of rodent harborage. Without habitat modification to make an area less attractive to rodents, even eradication will not prevent new populations from recolonizing the area. Non-chemical devices such as snap traps are also affordable and effective methods for rodent control.

EPA is working in partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promote IPM in low-income housing and other settings where pest pressures are significant.