New rules for mouse and rat pesticides safeguard children, pets

(NC) Controlling rodents in and around the home is a problem most Canadians have to deal with at some point, and the way you do it is about to change.

On January 1, 2013, new measures from Health Canada designed to reduce the exposure of children, pets and wildlife to rat and mouse pesticides (also known as rodenticides) will come into effect. The measures will mean that:

• rodenticides sold to consumers will need to be packaged with a tamper–proof bait station;
• all rodenticides in areas that are accessible to small children or pets must be placed in tamper–proof bait stations;
• certain high–toxicity rodenticides will only be sold to pest control professionals and farmers.

Tamper–proof bait stations are designed to keep children and pets away from the small pellet–like pesticides, which can be mistaken for cereal or pet food.

From 2007 to the end of 2010, Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency received almost 250 reports of accidental rodenticide poisonings, 20 of which involved humans (all non–fatal) and 226 involving domestic animals.

Pest control manufacturers have until December 31, 2012 to get the new packaging in place. Until then, Health Canada advises Canadian consumers to purchase tamper–free bait stations for use with rodenticides. Consumers should also read all label instructions carefully before using rodenticides or any other pesticide product.

Health Canada has more tips on how to safely prevent and control rodents at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/pmra.

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