Rodenticides are chemical products used to kill rodents and small animals. While preventing rodent-borne diseases has always been a public health goal, earlier rodenticides were highly toxic. Modern rodenticides are less toxic but still pose risks, especially to children, the elderly, and impaired individuals who are most likely to be exposed. Rodenticides can be classified based on their chemical composition, effects on animal activity, onset of symptoms, and lethal dose measured in rats. Both inorganic and organic compounds are used as rodenticides.

1. RODENTICIDES
• The prevention of rat borne diseases and bites has been an important
public goal for centuries and use of chemical rodenticides has always
been a part of the efforts
• Rodenticies used today are far less toxic than those used earlier

2. Epidemiology
• Children constitute the largest group of patients exposed to
rodenticides
• Elderly, suicidal adults, potential homicidal victims,intoxicated,
psychiatric or impaired persons and pest control operators are also at
substantial risk for exposures.

3. Definition
A rodenticide is any product commercially marketed to kill
rodents, mice, squirrels, gophers and other small animals.
Perfect rodenticide - One that effectively kills rodents but is not
toxic to humans or pests
• Yet to be discovered

4. Classification
1. As inorganic and organic compounds
2. By animal activity
3. By nature and onset of symptoms
4. According to their LD50(lethal dose) in rats.

5. Inorganic compounds -
Salts of arsenic, thallium, phosphorus,barium and zinc.
Organic compounds-
Sodium monfluroacetate, ATNU (alphanaphthylthiourea),
warfarin, red squill strychnine, norbormide and vacor.