Do you know what rodents perceive?

Vision:

Rats and mice are nocturnal animals and it is not helpful for them to rely on eyesight. They use their very sensitive whiskers in the same way we would use our fingertips to orient ourselves in the dark. They also use their muscle memory to find the paths they have traveled before.

Rats' vision is naturally very poor and very blurry, estimated to be around 20/600. In addition, they are considered to be color blind so the color of the rodenticide is not relevant.

Taste:

The fact that rats and mice cannot vomit is a major drawback, since everything they eat remains in the organism, even if it is toxic. Smell and the diastema constitute their "quality control" mechanism that allows them to make the necessary checks so as not to eat anything they might regret.

Vision:

Rats and mice are nocturnal animals and it is not helpful for them to rely on eyesight. They use their very sensitive whiskers in the same way we would use our fingertips to orient ourselves in the dark. They also use their muscle memory to find the paths they have traveled before.

Rats' vision is naturally very poor and very blurry, estimated to be around 20/600. In addition, they are considered to be color blind so the color of the rodenticide is not relevant.

Taste:

The fact that rats and mice cannot vomit is a major drawback, since everything they eat remains in the organism, even if it is toxic. Smell and the diastema constitute their "quality control" mechanism that allows them to make the necessary checks so as not to eat anything they might regret.

The size of the nasal cavity in relation to the skull, compared to the relationship between our nose and our skull, indicates the importance of the sense of smell for rodents. If the odor is repellent, the food (or bait) will no longer pass the next check, which is to try a small nibble and roll the food around in the diastema (the space between the incisors and the rest of the teeth - a holding area) to make sure it tastes good. Only then will they swallow the sample. If they feel good they will continue eating. The size of their brain indicates that they are intelligent.

So, if we apply this data to rodent control, we will have to take into account the following considerations:

• The bait should not have a repellent odor or taste.
• The bait must be palatable for the rodent to ingest it.
• The bait must be palatable to all rodents.

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