ABSTRACT
Rodent damage to agricultural crops, stored products, and health is widely recognized as economically important. Awareness of the problem has stimulated research activity on these topics: the innate capacity of the rodents to reproduce, their ability to cope with stress induced by internal and external factors, their movement, birth rate, and survival of individuals in the population. The advent of anticoagulant rodenticides (e.g., warfarin, coumachlor, coumatetralyl, and indandiones) and the development of a delivery system for them have provided better techniques for their use in croplands and for urban rat control. Anticoagulant compounds allow continuous baiting and provide 100% control of rodent infestation. The number of international organizations funding rodent research indicate increasing international awareness of the significance of rodent pests. Economic status can influence people's outlook on rodent pests. The absence of rodent control programs adequately supported by the government greatly hampers the rate at which rodent control technology is disseminated.
