The active ingredient brodifacoum has stood the test of time, showing excellent performance in Talon wax blocks back in the 1970s and today in the form of Talon XT Pro blocks.
Using a single-feed rodenticide such as Talon XT Pro wax blocks allows pest managers to quickly gain control of an active rodent infestation.
The key to getting results and saving money, though, is knowing how to use the product effectively. To help, here are some tips on how to use Talon XT Pro to effectively control rats and mice.
One study that compared Talon to other first- and second-generation anticoagulants showed that single-feed solutions require far less bait compared to other multi-feed solutions.1 Although rodents may feed for up to three days, the first feed is lethal, with death occurring around 4-7 days after consumption.
Utilising the potent second-generation anticoagulant brodifacoum, only a small amount of Talon bait is required to gain control – only 0.2g for mice and 1.3g for rats – just 5% of their typical daily feed intake. While only 1.3g of Talon constitutes a lethal dose to rats, 9g of difenacoum bait is required to achieve the same effect. Similarly, rats would need to eat more than four times the quantity of a bromadiolone bait to ingest a lethal dose when compared to Talon.
In short, significantly far less Talon bait is required to achieve control compared to other second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides – the science backs this up.
Talon XT Pro wax blocks don’t need to be set up close together; for maintenance situations, up to 30m apart is enough to be effective. This makes Talon a very economical way to deal with rodents, as pest managers get 500 wax blocks per 10kg pail.
To gain control of an active infestation, pest managers can use the ‘pulse baiting’ method. Built on knowledge of typical rat and mouse behaviour, pulse baiting is when small amounts of bait are put out at weekly intervals. Using this method deliberately prevents rodents from consuming more than a lethal dose, allowing pest managers to deliver quick control with less labour and bait.
To pulse bait, put out a small amount of bait and wait for this initial amount to be completely consumed. Once the rodents have died, put out more bait – a second ‘pulse’ – to target the rodents that did not eat the first pulse of baits. Repeat this process until there are no signs of rodent activity (usually 3-4 pulses are sufficient).
Pest managers can achieve the best results with Talon XT Pro by placing baits in areas where rat and mouse activity has been noted, such as warm, dark and quiet areas with droppings, gnarl marks, rub marks and urine stains.
Baits aren’t limited in terms of their placement, and are robust in a range of conditions. Talon XT Pro can be used outdoors as well as indoors, due to its moulded wax formulation. The blocks are also moisture resistant, weather resistant and HACCP certified.
Keeping accurate data on your bait stations – how far apart they are, how much bait is used, how quickly it is eaten, any changes in rat activity – will help you hone your rodent management system.
For example, if an inspection reveals that all the bait is gone, then the lesson is to increase the amount next time. Conversely, if there’s some bait left, it’s possible to work out how much bait is being consumed each day and adjust the dosage and intervals accordingly.
To prevent contaminating fresh rodenticide with rodent waste, it helps to carry a dustpan and brush as well as a container in which to place waste material when doing weekly inspections. Also, pest managers should ensure they store wax blocks in their original containers, in a cool, well ventilated area. Store any unused blocks out of direct sunlight to ensure product longevity.
Rodent control is not simply refilling bait stations or setting out traps – an effective control program must look at the strength of the active used in the field. Talon has been trusted by pest professionals for over 40 years and the brodifacoum-based Talon XT Pro continues this tradition with a quality, pliable block delivering reliable control.
1 Dubock, A.C. and Kaukeinen, D.E. (1978). Brodifacoum (Talon Rodenticide), A Novel Concept. Proceedings of the 8th Vertebrate Pest Conference.
