Using rodenticides

Rodenticides include acute poisons, anticoagulants and bioagents. Many of these are potentially dangerous to humans, domestic animals and wildlife if misused.

Rodenticides are safe when used correctly

Agricultural chemicals, including rodenticides, are legitimate and useful tools that support the productivity, quality and safety of Queensland's food and fibre industries.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) will only register products or grant permits if:

  • assessments demonstrate that the product works as intended
  • the scientific data confirms that when used in accordance with instruction that it will have no harmful or unintended effects on people, animals, the environment or international trade.

Agricultural chemicals must be used in a legal, safe and efficient manner. Misuse of chemical products can cause harm to humans, off-target animals, trade and the environment.

Penalties for misuse

Strict adherence to instructions for use on product labels or under the conditions of a permit is a legal requirement.

Penalties of up to $97,000 apply to persons who apply a chemical contrary to label instructions.

Misuse of chemical product in contravention of label instructions is an offence under the Chemical Usage (Agricultural and Veterinary) Control Act 1988.

Follow the label instructions

The approved labels provide the necessary information on safety, use and disposal of rodenticides.

Baits containing rodenticides should always be used in accordance with approved label instructions or conditions of permits issued by the APVMA.

Choose the correct product and application

A range of rodenticides are approved for use in or around industrial, commercial agricultural and domestic buildings.

The most common application method for the control of rodents is the laying of baits and bait stations containing a rodenticide. The baits provide little chance of contamination of food or food producing areas in commercial or domestic buildings.

Providing these rodenticides are applied in accordance with label instructions, it should not lead to direct application to food or crops that could be used for food or stock feed.

Most of these products are not approved for use in crops and the labels contain the strict instruction 'DO NOT apply bait to crops'.

Other common instructions on labels for these types of rodenticides can include:

  • This bait is hazardous to pigs, cats, dogs, poultry, birds and wildlife.
  • DO NOT place bait stations in the open.
  • DO NOT place or store baits in locations which are accessible to domestic animals, livestock, birds or other animals.
  • DO NOT allow baits to contaminate foodstuffs or food intended for human or animal consumption.

Use approved rodenticides in crops

There are only a limited range of rodenticides which are currently approved for use in cropping situations.

Fruit and vegetable crops

Banana plantations

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions

Mustard

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Pineapples

  • Coumatetralyl (specific products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Strawberry

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Sweet potato

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions

Various vegetables under APVMA Permit PER93053

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane

  • Coumatetralyl (specific products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Lodged sugarcane—aerially applied

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Nuts

Nuts

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Macadamia

  • Coumatetralyl (specific products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Field crops

Canola

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Chickpeas

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions

Cotton

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Grain

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Legumes

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Mung beans

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Pasture

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Safflower

  • Zinc Phosphide (various products)
  • Ensure products with relevant crop instructions on the approved label are used

Sorghum and forage sorghum

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Various open field crops under PER#93053

  • Zinc Phosphide (specific products, APVMA Permit)
  • Must be applied in strict accordance with permit conditions.

Consider other control methods

Rodents are normally only a problem when they have access to a palatable food source.

The most effective way to treat rodent problems is with a combined approach of different control methods, integrated with land management practices.

Control methods include:

More information

  • Rodenticides: Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority