"I buy it at my local supermarket. Not the US, Australia. I’ve never heard any controversy about availability of brodifacoum in Australia....)."I can confirm that, just went to my armory where I stockpile my weapons and ammo for use in the never ending war against four and six-legged house invaders and read a few packet labels.
I live in a location that I unashamedly call Ratsville or Cockroach City depending on species that is causing the most mayhem at the time so it's always advisable one's armory is well stocked with pleanty of ammo. OK, what I found was two new 200g packets of pellet-type Talon brand Rat and Mouse Killer, each pack consisting of four 50g sub-packs which are used still hold/contain the pellets when distributed. I also found two Talon All Weather Wax Blocks (remains of a larger pack). Rats just love those wax blocks - much more so than the pellets (they're my 88mm defenses. ;-)
Both the blocks and pellets were purchased at the local supermarket and contain 0.05g/kg brodifacoum. These are just the domestic packages, bigger packages can be bought at hardware stores, on eBay etc. without effort.
Note: both the full packaging and sub-packs are clearly labeled Ready to Use Bait : For Use in &
Around Buildings : Controls Species Resistant to Warfarin.
In my opinion, the packaging and presentation is about a safe as you could make it for a domestic product.
- It's clearly labeled in large white lettering 'POISON' under which it says 'KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN' - all on a bright red background.
- Printed in big type on all packaging is the following: 'POISONS INFORMATION CENTRE : 131 126 : ALL HOURS : AUSTRALIA WIDE'.
- The packaging has a proper comprehensive 'how to use/bating strategy'.
- There's a well written section about not contaminating waterways, dams, drains, etc. Also says not to be used to control native species, etc. without wildlife authorities permission, etc.
- A section about disposal of remaining product, it too is clear and well written.
- Section on Safety Directions including details about the antidote Vitamin K1 (Phytomenadione).
- Has a special section 'Note to physicians and veterinarians' about the blood-thinning nature of the product and the correct administration of the antidote (vit K1).
- Packing advises in bold red type that the product contains 'Human taste deterrent BITREX, prevents accidental consumption by children'.
[My comment: BITREX is the chemical denatonium, a type of QUAT/quaternary ammonium compound, it's the most bitter substance known to human tase,
some other animals cannot taste it - rats for instance. For the same reason it's also used for denaturing ethanol, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), etc.]
I'm not going to comment on whether brodifacoum is the most appropriate rodenticide available or not as that is not my expertise. However, I've had some training in chemistry and I've seen a lot of toxic substances over the years (and labeled as such), and I'd go so far as to say that this is the most responsible labeling I've ever seen on any poison for domestic use.
Right, there are fuckwits out there who cannot be trusted with anything and they'd screw this product up too given half a chance. That said, if the simple and clear instructions are followed, it's likely reasonably safe to use.
I contrast that with the common
rodenticides of yesteryear some of which I personally recall - thallium and strychnine for instance.
(When I was about eight/nine years old I watched my lovely pet kelpie sheepdog Binky die of strychnine poisoning - poisoned by some damn lowlife for no good reason (even now, if I knew who it was I'd have to be restrained from attacking him/her).
Watching my pet dog die in such utter agony was one of the most terrible moments of my life and it's still etched on my memory as if it were yesterday. Strychnine, which could easily bought at the local pharmacy when I was a kid, is one of the most diabolical poisons known: it not only kills with great potency but does so with a vengeance - with terrible pain and convulsions. It keeps its victim fully conscious until the bitter end and even then that's not enough, by nature/in small doses strychnine is a stimulant so all the victim's senses are heightened - while killing it concomitantly tortures its victim in the most excruciating way imaginable.
By contrast, brodifacoum is noting like as merciless, and its vitamin K1 antidote is very effective. It's a great improvement over that 'evil' from the Strychnos nux-vomica plant.)