Contrac Blox Rodenticide should be applied in tamper resistant stations to avoid non-target animals and children from accessing the bait inside. It is possible that a squirrel could be attracted to the bait for consumption. Although, Contrac is labeled for rats and mice, it could harm a squirrel as well since they are also in the rodent family.
The Contrac Blox come only in buckets technically. You have an 18lb bucket, and then a box that contains 4 x 4lb buckets for a total of 16lbs. Some feel that being able to open each bucket when you need it allows the bait to stay fresh a little longer so some customers will purchase the 4 x 4 containers rather than the one large container of Contrac Blox. As long as the rodents are still going to the bait and consuming it they will continue to die from it and the active ingredient it contains.
Contrac Rodenticide doesn't so much attract rodents from all over as it will target rodents that are already coming onto the property other food sources, nesting supplies or water. Bait stations with rodenticides should be placed on the exterior of the home or within 50ft of the house where the rodents are already traveling. The blend of food grade ingredients will appeal to their sense of smell as they travel along their already familiar path. Use gloves when handling the bait so your human scent does not contaminate the bait and place the bait stations in the runways they are already traveling. Bait should be renewed at intervals of several days. Continuous bait availability (as with anticoagulants) is not required, but bait needs to be present long enough to allow all animals in the area to feed. The amount of bait needed is usually about one-third that used with anticoagulants, since an animal ingesting a lethal dose does not feed again.
You can review how to avoid the most common rodent baiting failures here.
? The number of rodents that 1 block will treat is undeterminable. Place 3 to 16 Contrac Blox (usually at intervals of 15 to 30 feet) per placement. Maintain an uninterrupted supply of fresh bait for at least 10 days or until signs of rat activity cease. Replace contaminated or spoiled bait immediately. Collect and dispose of all dead animals and leftover bait properly. To prevent reinfestation, limit sources of rodent food, water, and harborage as much as possible. If reinfestation does occur, repeat treatment. Where a continuous source of infestation is present, establish permanent bait stations and replenish as needed.
If the Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide bucket is unopened and sealed, the product will last 2 -3 years, if kept away from extreme temperatures. Once the bucket is opened, it should last 1 year in normal conditions.
Bromadiolone, the active ingredient in Contrac, accumulates in the liver to inhibit and steadily decrease Vitamin K levels in the blood. This prevents the blood from being able to clot and will eventually lead to death. So the majority of the active is absorbed by the blood stream, and although very small trace amounts could potentially be found in the feces, it wouldn't be consistent. There will definitely be some of the waxy substance and the dye in it, but it wouldn't be enough to cause damage or be of any concern.
Per the Contrac All Weather Blox product label: "This product must be used in and within 100 feet of man-made structures constructed in a manner so as to be vulnerable to commensal rodent invasions and/or to harboring or attracting rodent infestations. Examples of such structures include homes and other permanent or temporary residences, food processing facilities, industrial and commercial buildings, trash receptacles, agricultural and public buildings, transport vehicles (ships, trains, aircraft), docks and port or terminal buildings and related structures around and associated with these sites. Fence and perimeter baiting, beyond 100 feet from a structure as defined above, is prohibited." Also, keep in mind that rodenticides like Contrac must always be used in appropriate bait stations and cannot be thrown loosely in the open.
Contrac Blox is a single feed rodenticide. Single feed means a rodent can consume a lethal dose of Bromadiolone in one feeding, resulting in death within 1-5 days. The number of blox you will use is undeterminable because the rat/mouse has to locate and consume the bait. How much bait you need will depend on the size of the rodent population, age and health of the rodents, and how much competing food is available to the rodents.
Contrac bait should be stored at room temperature and replaced every 40-60 days in the bait stations because it contains food based ingredients. The bait could mold or sour in the hot or cold months (should be replaced every 30 days during the summer and winter) and may be less palatable to the rodents.
Contrac Blox can be toxic to animals if enough is consumed, although an antidote, Vitamin K1 is readily available from your vet. If you believe your pet consumed any amount of this product, it is important to contact your vet or pet poison control as soon as possible
Since squirrels are in the same family as rats/mice, it is possible the bait matrix in the Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide could be attractive to flying squirrels also. While rodenticides can be used indoors for rodent control, we typically do not recommend baiting for rodents indoors as the bait can draw insects and can also keep drawing the rodents into the home. We would recommend using the Contrac Blox in the tamper resistant bait stations outside the home around the structure. Inside the home, you can use Detour Rodent Repellent to make the attic less appealing to rodents and squirrels and use Rodent Snap Traps or Glue Boards to catch unwanted guests in your attic.
If you know where the squirrels are entering you can use an Tomahawk One Way Door Excluder where they are entering the attic. This will allow the squirrells to exit through the hole, but not get back in. Exclusion Methods with Copper Mesh or Xcluder Wire are great ways to seal up holes to keep mice, rats and squirrels out.
According to the Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide SDS sheet if this product comes in contact with the skin: Take off contaminated clothing and rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. If irritation develops, obtain medical assistance.
No, you do not need a license to use Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide.
Yes, by law, Contrac Blox Rodenticide must be applied inside of tamper-resistant bait stations.
Unfortunately, we do not sell vitamin K1. It is readily available from any vet.
Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide should never be placed outside of a tamper resistant, locking bait station. Additionally, the bait stations should be within 50 feet of a structure. It is made with food grade additives and will be highly attractive to unintended wildlife and pets. If you find bait blocks loose on your property, you should dispose of them. They contain waxes and additives to help the bait stay fresh for a longer period of time, so it’s possible it may withstand elements of weather for a length of time. If you are concerned your dog may have eaten some, we recommend you contact your vet ASAP, as there is an antidote available that can be given soon after ingestion that can reverse the effects of the Contrac.
Secondary poisoning is very minimal with Contrac and an antidote to the poison (vitamin K1) is readily available. We would suggest contacting your vet if you believe your animal has ingested this product. Rodenticides such as Contrac All-Weather Blox must be used in tamper-resistant bait stations so that non-target animals like dogs do not have access to the bait.
You should rotate Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide every 4-6 months with a bait that has a different active ingredient to prevent resistance. Fastrac or Final are great options.
Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide must be used in tamper resistance baits stations by law when used outside so it cannot be just placed out at night in the open around a bird feeder. The best thing to do with birds is to stop feeding them and use the bait in stations until the rodents are under control, otherwise you are providing a food source that they are more familar with which makes them less likely to go for the bait. After rodents consume the bait they are going to die wherever they die. To prevent this happening inside you should seal up all cracks and crevices that allow them access inside.
We have some guides below that can help as well:
https://www.domyown.com/how-to-get-rid-of-rats-a-525.html
https://www.domyown.com/rat-prevention-guide-a-526.html
If there are pieces of Contrac All-Weather Blox Rodenticide in the grass, these should be picked up and removed immediately. The only way to be sure the area is safe to remove the pieces. To prevent pieces being removed from stations that hold the bait is to check them frequently and remove any broken or small pieces to keep rodents from carrying them off and leaving where non target animals/people can come across them.
