1- Preparing the bait holders

• Place the unbaited bait holders in the correct spots. Do not move them from one place to another.
• At the end of the treatment, leave them in the same place, ready and prepared for when you need them again.
• The advantage of preparing them is that the bait is not in the environment for longer than necessary.
• Start the baiting plan when the rodents have lost their fear of the holders.

2- Effective location of baiting points.

• Inspect the site carefully to determine the correct location.
• Rats tend to move along the same paths they have previously used.
• It is important to place bait along the path before they find other food sources.
• They are creatures of habit and routine.
• Survival trait.

3- Place enough bait points.

Rodents may pass several baiting points until they reach their preferred food source

• Do not assume that a baiting point next to a burrow/nest means that rodents will feed there.
• Mice visit their food sources sporadically and like to go to several baiting points in one night to feed.
• Both rats and mice should be provided with enough baiting points so that they can behave naturally and to optimize control.

4- Monitor the activity next to the bait holders before placing the first bait.

• Place sand or tracking powder inside the bait box.
  • You will be able to detect the tracks of rodents that have entered the box.
  • For outdoor boxes, look for muddy tracks inside.
  • Check activity samples at least once per week.
• Monitoring baits can be used to record when rats and mice are comfortable eating inside the box.
  • Commercial baits
  • Whatever feed available (feed for pigs on a farm).
  • Check consumption at least once per week.
• When rodents start to enter the bait holders, it means that they are already used to it and it is time to place the bait.

5- Choice of bait

• It is important to use the most palatable bait, so that the rodents will quickly accept it as a food source.
  • The faster the rodent accepts the bait as a food source, the faster it will begin to ingest it and the faster control will be achieved.
• A neophobic reaction to the bait is possible.
  • The easier it is for the rodent to identify the bait as a food source, the more unlikely this is to occur. This is why baits with a high percentage of natural food ingredients are ideal.
• It will be necessary to set the bait, and then it is appropriate to use either a soft block bait or a waxed block bait.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Rodent behavior is complex and there are numerous factors that influence the success and time required for the control program. Understanding this behavior is one of the most important tools for any pest control.
2. For effective and fast rodent control, certain measures must be included in the baiting program to minimize the consequences of neophobic behavior.
3.  

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