Relevant Characteristics of Zinc Phosphide As a Rodenticide

—Zinc phosphide has a long history of use and remains an important rodenticide for both commensal and select field rodents. A long list of significant characteristics contributes to its relative safety to nontarget species. It is zinc phosphide's relative safeness to humans, most livestock, and nontarget wildlife that has kept it in vogue, A most relevant and highly proclaimed characteristic is its general lack of potential secondary hazard to predators and scavengers. Poor or inconsistent efficacy on certain field rodents is a major shortcoming that can, in part, be compensated for by prebaiting. Zinc phosphide's favorable characteristics support its continued use, and its future prospects appear good.