Current issues with vertebrate pesticides from a regulator’s perspective

Regulatory changes beginning in 1972 have led to increased emphasis on the safety of pesticides and decreased emphasis on efficacy. Many vertebrate pesticides are undergoing reregistration. Others have lost some or all uses. Toxicants registered to control vertebrate pests tend to have safety issues. Efficacy usually is the greater concern for repellents, although EPA seldom requires substantiation of effectiveness for vertebrate repellents, some of which no longer are required to be registered. Vertebrate pest control devices still are being marketed in the U.S. Truth-in-labeling is a significant issue for vertebrate pesticides and devices