Before beginning any control effort, it is important to determine the effect of control on non-target animals. When using any pesticide, read the label and follow application instructions. Zinc phosphide is the only bait registered for prairie dog control in New Mexico. Zinc phosphide is a Restricted Use Pesticide, so users must be certified to purchase and use it. Contact your county Extension office for information on acquiring certification.
Zinc phosphide is also available in a pellet form.
Prairie dog acceptance of baits and toxicants varies with weather, time of year, available food alternatives, amount of harassment of the prairie dog colonies, and other unknown causes. Zinc phosphide has a flavor and odor that may be disagreeable to prairie dogs. For this reason pre-bait the colony with untreated grain before applying treated grain. Drop a heaping teaspoon of untreated rolled oats on the bare soil at the edge of each prairie dog mound or in an adjacent feeding area. The prebait should scatter, forming about a 6-inch circle.