EPA Announces Rodenticide Decision

Editor's note: The National Pest Management Association sent out the following release in response to decisions made today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enact a series of measures aimed at protecting children from accidental exposure to rodent control products. For more information, contact NPMA at npma@pestworld.org or 703-352-6762.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working on the reregistration of the rodenticide cluster since 1998, when it first released a reregistration eligibility document (RED). The rodenticide cluster includes the following active ingredients:

Brodifacoum
Bromadiolone
Bromethalin
Chlorophacinone
Cholecalciferol
Difenacoum
Difethialone
Diphacinone
Warfarin
Zinc phosphide

Of particular concern to EPA are the impact of rodenticides on non-target wildlife and accidental exposure to children. In January 2007, the Agency issued proposed risk mitigation measures and announced its final decision this morning.  NPMA has worked closely with EPA on this decision for a number of years and supports the Agency's final risk mitigation decision. 

In summary, EPA is requiring that homeowner products only be sold in tamper-resistant bait stations and that second generation anticoagulants may not be sold to consumers.  A summary of EPA's decision is appended below.  More detailed information is available at www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/rodenticides/finalriskdecision.htm

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EPA Summary of New Restrictions

Second-Generation Anticoagulant Products for Professional Applicators

• Products must contain at least 16 pounds of bait.
• Bait stations are required for all outdoor, above-ground placements of second-generation anticoagulants.
• Bait stations are required indoors if exposure to children, pets, or non-target animals is possible.
• Distribution to and sales in “consumer” stores including grocery stores, drug stores, hardware stores, club stores will be prohibited.

“Consumer Size” Products (Products containing less than or equal to 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 pre-loaded bait station
• Bait refills may be sold with pre-loaded bait stations in a single retail unit 

Second-Generation Anticoagulant Products for Use Around Agricultural Buildings

• Products must contain at least eight pounds of bait.
• Bait stations are required for all outdoor, above-ground placements of second-generation anticoagulant products.
• Bait stations are required indoors if exposure to children, pets, or non-target animals is possible.
• Product labels must indicate that the product is for use only in and around agricultural buildings and that use in residential use sites is prohibited.
• Distribution to and sales in “consumer” stores including grocery stores, drug stores, hardware stores, club stores will be prohibited.

For more information, contact NPMA at npma@pestworld.org or 703-352-6762.