Cholecalciferol Rodenticide

With the passing of  “California Ecosystems Protection Act of 2020”, the public will likely be hearing a lot more about a toxicant called Cholecalciferol rodenticide.  Cholecalciferol rodenticide is vitamin D3 and as such is a non-anticoagulant toxic bait. It is one of the few rodenticide active ingredients that wasn’t banned in California’s sweeping Ecosystems Protection Act of 2020. You may think that California banned all rodenticides but that would be false. California’s ban focused on a group of rodenticides known as second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs). Even though California did severely restrict SGARs, the law did have several exemptions that allowed SGARs to be used in certain limited circumstances. Nevertheless, the law was a sweeping one and if the review process confirms that SGARs should remain banned, Californians will have to use alternative rodenticides and methods to manage rodents. Cholecalciferol is one of those rodenticides that will be tasked to fill the gap left by SGARs.

What is Cholecalciferol Rodenticide?

Cholecalciferol is a rodenticide which kills rodents by causing too much calcium to circulate in their system. Calcium is carefully regulated in animals and changes of  in calcium levels of only 10 to 15%  can cause life-threatening changes in the animal’s bodily system.

Is Cholecalciferol Rodenticide Effective?

The LD50 for Norway rats is 42.65 mg/kg and 43.6 for house mice. Rodents receiving a lethal dose typically die within 3.5 and 10.2 days. House mice and Norway rats typically die sooner than roof rats. Of course, the toxicant can kill other animals that are directly exposed to the toxicant, a phenomenon called non-target primary poisoning.

Is Cholecalciferol Safer than SGARs?

While no rodenticide can be considered safe, it does appear that cholecalciferol is safer than SGARs in regards to secondary poisoning scenarios.  For example, house cats appear to be resistant to this toxicant so if safety for cats is a high priority, this toxicant would make a good choice. The verdict is a little more mixed for domestic dogs as they appear to be more sensitive to the rodenticide’s toxic effects. In addition, cholecalciferol is less toxic to birds which is a also a plus.

Please note that even though cholecalciferol can be used on organic farms, the chemical can kill. Too often people think that just because something is organic that it must be safe. Nothing could be further from the truth. All rodenticides pose risks. The level of risk depends on a variety of factors. Always treat rodenticides as dangerous and follow label instructions religiously.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.