MCQ Detailed View

Chemicals specifically designed to kill rats, mice, and other rodents are called rodenticides. These substances are a type of pesticide that targets rodent populations to prevent damage to crops, stored food, buildings, and to reduce the spread of diseases caused by rodents.

Rodenticides work by interfering with the rodent’s biological functions. The most common rodenticides are anticoagulant poisons, which prevent blood clotting and cause internal bleeding after ingestion. Other types include neurotoxins that affect the nervous system and compounds that disrupt vital organ functions. These chemicals are often mixed with bait like grains or food products to attract rodents.

It is important to note the difference between rodenticides and other pest control chemicals:

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  Insecticides are formulated to kill insects such as mosquitoes, ants, or termites.

  
  


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  Fungicides are used to kill fungi and molds affecting plants and stored grains.

  
  


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  Herbicides are designed to kill unwanted plants and weeds.

  
  

Rodenticides are highly toxic not only to rodents but also to humans, pets, and wildlife if accidentally consumed. Because of this, they must be handled carefully, stored safely, and used according to strict safety guidelines. Many modern rodenticides are designed to be effective in small doses while minimizing accidental poisoning risks.

The use of rodenticides is a critical part of public health and agricultural safety, as uncontrolled rodent populations can destroy large quantities of food, damage infrastructure, and spread serious diseases such as leptospirosis, hantavirus, and plague.

This question is categorized under Chemistry because it focuses on chemical substances, their compositions, and their specific use in pest control, helping students understand how different chemical agents are formulated for targeted biological effects.