Why is baiting for rats not advisable in food processing plants?

Baiting for rats in food processing plants is not advisable primarily because alternative food sources may compromise the effectiveness of the bait. In environments like food processing plants, there are often numerous accessible food items that can distract or satiate rats, making them less likely to consume the bait. If rats have plenty of other food sources available, they may opt for those instead, leading to decreased bait consumption and ineffective control measures. This scenario underscores the importance of creating an environment where bait can be the primary food source, which is hard to achieve in a facility where food products are present.

Health regulations may also play a role in certain practices within food processing plants, but the predominant issue is the competition posed by readily available alternative food sources. Similarly, while the potential for rats to avoid bait and the attraction of other pests are valid concerns in pest management, these factors do not directly reflect the same critical challenge posed by competing food sources. Thus, the effectiveness of baiting in such environments relies heavily on minimizing alternative food availability to ensure proper pest control.