Jump to main content.

Rodenticides Regulatory Background

Non-chemical Rodent Control
Resources

Current as of April 8, 2011

Rodenticides are pesticides used in urban, suburban, and rural areas to control rodents. It is important to keep mice and rats out of households and surrounding areas to prevent transmission of disease and to avoid potential property damage. Rodenticides are also used to control moles, chipmunks, ground squirrels, jackrabbits, gophers, muskrat, and mongoose in areas such as orchards and rangelands and in conservation programs.

Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides

In May 2008, EPA issued its Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides, which specifies rodenticide product changes that must be made to allow for continued use that does not present unreasonable adverse effects to human health or the environment.

Rodenticides are an important tool for public health pest control, including controlling mice and rats around the home, but have been associated with accidental exposures to thousands of children each year because of current marketing and use practices. These products also pose significant risks to non-target wildlife, including both birds and mammals. With EPA’s risk mitigation measures in place, rodenticide products will be effective while preventing unreasonable adverse effects to human health and the environment.

Rodenticide Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs)

EPA issued Reregistration Eligibility Decisions (REDs) for the Rodenticide Cluster (PDF) (319 pp, 1.0 M, About PDF) and Zinc Phosphide (PDF) (225 pp, 902 K, About PDF) in 1998. In these risk management decision documents, the Agency expressed concern about accidental human exposures to rodenticides, as well as risks to nontarget wildlife.

  • Rodenticide Cluster RED (PDF) (July 1988) (319 pp, 1.0 M, About PDF)
  • Zinc Phosphide RED (PDF) (July 1998) (225 pp, 902 K, About PDF)

    • For More Information

    Publications | Glossary | A-Z Index | Jobs

    Local Navigation

    Jump to main content.