A comparative field trial, conducted without pre-treatment census baiting, of the rodenticides zinc phosphide, thallium sulphate and gophacide against Rattus norvegicus.

The effectiveness of the single-dose poison treatments of farm rat infestations, analysed by comparing the weights of the post-treatment census bait takes in covariance with the weights of the prebait takes, showed that treatments with 2-5% zinc phosphide, 0-3% thallium sulphate or 0-3% gophacide were equally effective and significantly better than were treatments with 1% zinc phosphide or 0-1% thallium sulphate. The methodology and sensitivity of different analyses are also considered.