The M–44 Sodium

Cyanide Ejector

Mechanism

The M–44 is a wildlife damage management tool

used by the Wildlife Services (WS) program of the

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to protect

livestock, poultry, and threatened and endangered

species from predation by foxes, coyotes, and feral

dogs. In addition, the M–44 is registered for the 

control of communicable disease vectors, such as

coyotes that carry rabies.

The M–44 is an effective, environmentally sound

tool registered by the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) and used only by trained and certified

applicators. There are 26 EPA–mandated use 

restrictions governing the use of M–44’s. All M–44’s

used in WS field operations are well marked and are

checked by trained personnel at least once a week.

M–44’s are used primarily for coyote damage

management. They are placed along game trails,

livestock trails, ridges, near seldom-used ranch

roads, and along fencelines. The M–44 is used 

mostly in the winter and spring but in some locations

it is used throughout the year.

Damage

Coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs cause substantial

damage to livestock and poultry producers, particularly those with sheep and goats.

In 1999, the National Agricultural Statistics

Service (NASS) surveyed producers and found that

coyotes killed an estimated 165,800 sheep and

lambs nationwide worth a total of $9.6 million. Feral

dogs and foxes accounted for an additional 49,400

lamb and sheep deaths worth $3.5 million. In 

addition, coyotes, feral dogs, and foxes killed 

approximately 36,000 goats worth more than $1.8

million.

Coyotes and feral dogs also feed on cattle and

calves. The NASS survey found that coyotes killed

an estimated 95,000 cattle and calves worth $31.8

million in 2000. Feral dogs killed 26,000 cattle and

calves worth $9.5 million.

In addition, coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs kill

thousands of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and

other birds every year.

Mode of Operation

The M–44 works by ejecting sodium cyanide

powder into the mouth of the predator. The ejection

is triggered when the animal pulls on the baited

M–44 unit. The sodium cyanide powder reacts with

the moisture in the animal’s mouth, releasing 

hydrogen cyanide gas. Death occurs from 10 

seconds to 2 minutes after the device is triggered.

Environmentally Safe

The M–44 is safe to use and poses an 

insignificant risk to the environment. The amount of

sodium cyanide mixture in each capsule is 

approximately 0.03 ounce (0.97 gram). If, for some

reason, the contents of the capsule spill onto the soil,

the active ingredient dissipates into gas rapidly due

to soil moisture. If there is no moisture, the sodium

cyanide filters through the soil, where it is readily

degraded by micro-organisms or other mechanisms.

Experiments conducted by WS’ National Wildlife

Research Center designed to study the effects of

cyanide contamination of the soil from application of

M–44 cyanide capsules indicate that the toxic effects

of cyanide are extremely shortlived because cyanide

decomposes within 24 hours into harmless 

byproducts. Bioaccumulation is extremely unlikely

because the material is metabolized immediately.

The risk of secondary poisoning of predators

feeding on the carcass of an animal killed with an

M–44 is nonexistent. The M–44’s mode of action,

chemical asphyxiation, limits the assimilation of the

toxic compound into the body and tissue for 

availability to predators feeding on an animal killed by

this device. In other words, an animal feeding on a

predator killed by an M–44 will not be harmed

because there is virtually no poison in the dead 

animal’s tissues to pass along to the scavenging 

animal.

To protect the user against the unlikely event of

exposure to the compound, amyl nitrite is available

as an antidote. All applicators are required to carry

an antidote kit when applying M–44’s.

Nontarget Hazards

To prevent adverse or harmful effects on the

environment, including nontarget animals, WS

assesses the potential impact of its activities before

using the M–44 or any other wildlife damage 

management tool.

In placing M–44’s in the field, WS personnel use

their expertise in animal behavior patterns to 

minimize the risk of attracting nontarget animals to

Factsheet

 	
 
	 

APHIS

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture
the device. Through the use of specialized lures and

attractants designed for offending animals, the risk to

nontarget animals is highly minimized.

Integrated Wildlife Management

WS uses an integrated wildlife damage 

management approach to reduce or prevent wildlife

damage. In selecting control techniques for specific

wildlife damage situations, WS personnel consider the

species responsible, the frequency, and the extent of

the damage. In addition to damage confirmation and 

assessment, consideration is also given to the status

of the species, local environmental conditions, 

environmental impacts, and other factors. Then these

factors are evaluated and used in formulating 

management strategies that may include the 

application of one or more damage management

techniques.

Additional Information

For more information about this and other WS

programs or to find out how to request assistance

from your WS State office, contact the 

WS Operational Support Staff at (301) 734–7921 or

write to:

USDA, APHIS, WS

4700 River Road, Unit 87

Riverdale, MD 20737 

You can also find information on WS programs by 

visiting our Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws.

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination

in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national

origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to

all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative

means for communication of program information (Braille, large

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at

(202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of

Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964

(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.