What is a characteristic of anticoagulant baits used for rodent control?

Anticoagulant baits are specifically designed to cause death in rodents through a process that requires multiple feedings. These baits interfere with the rodent's ability to clot blood, leading to internal bleeding over a period of time rather than an immediate lethal effect. This characteristic is key because it allows rodents to consume the bait multiple times before succumbing to its effects, which aligns with the feeding behavior of these animals. They are often chosen for their effectiveness in controlling rodent populations, especially since rodents may not associate the bait with immediate danger.

While it is true that anticoagulant baits do not act instantly and do not induce immediate paralysis, they provide a delayed effect, which can be advantageous in rodent control as it allows for the consumption of the bait by multiple rodents. Additionally, anticoagulants can impact a variety of rodent species, not just a select few, further enhancing their appeal as a control method. Therefore, the characteristic of requiring multiple feedings is essential to understanding how anticoagulant baits function in pest management.