Do first-generation rodenticides require multiple feedings for rodents to receive a lethal dose?

First-generation rodenticides are designed to require multiple feedings for rodents to consume a lethal dose. This characteristic is intentional; these rodenticides are generally anticoagulants that slowly interfere with the rodent's blood-clotting ability. Rodents must consume the bait several times over a few days to accumulate enough of the active ingredient in their system to reach a lethal level.

The multi-feed requirement is particularly beneficial in managing rodent populations without causing immediate death, which may lead to the bait's detection and avoidance by other susceptible rodents. This gradual approach allows for a higher likelihood of successful control, especially in established populations where rodents may have developed some level of wariness to a single feeding.

In contrast, there are rodenticides known as second-generation anticoagulants that are designed to be effective with just one feeding, yielding a quicker knockdown of the target rodent. These differences highlight the varied strategies available for rodent management and the importance of understanding which type of rodenticide is appropriate for a given situation.