What is a common behavior of rats when exposed to certain rodenticides?

Rats can become bait shy when exposed to certain rodenticides, particularly those that are non-lethal or that have been associated with adverse effects. Bait shyness is a learned behavior where rodents associate the bait with negative experiences, such as illness or death, leading them to avoid that bait in the future. This response can hinder the effectiveness of rodenticides because the target rats will opt for alternative food sources rather than consuming the poisoned bait.

This behavior is critical to understand in pest control because if rats develop bait shyness, it can lead to ineffective control measures and may require pest management professionals to employ different strategies to encourage consumption of treated bait, such as changing the type of bait or using different control methods. Recognizing bait shyness is essential for effective rodent control planning and execution.