Rodent Control: Review of the Rodenticides Currently Registered in the Environmental Health Field in Spain

Abstract

The use of what are known as «rodenticides», defined as biocides used for rodent control, is currently required. In the recent transposition of the Biocide Directive by way of Royal Decree 1054/2002, rodenticides are included under Main Group 3, Product Type 14. The current status of rodenticides in the Official Pesticide Registry is analyzed. This study has been conducted based on the data in the database of the Spain s Official Registry of Pesticides for Use in Public Health for rodentcides (technical and formulated active ingredients). Nine (9) of the technical active ingredients registered are anticoagulants, one (1) has a sedative effect and one (1) causes hypercalcemia. A total of 412 of the 416 formulated rodentcides include some anticoagulant (87.4% are coumarin derivatives, while 12.6% are indandione derivatives). A total 94.2% of these products are formulated as solids and are classified as slightly or moderately hazardous. Aspects such as effectiveness on the different species or the type of effect are not required. Based on the analysis conducted, the one outstanding aspect revealed is large number of formulated rodenticides registered in Spain in comparison to other countries. One of the major consequences which may be anticipated from the transposition of EC Directive 98/9/EC, is the reduction in the number and type of rodenticides which are registered and a greater degree of accuracy as to their effectiveness, the type of effect, the composition (baiting) and the type of formulation.