Arnold wrote, I have heard that there are some rodenticides that don't allow secondary poisoning such as was described in the death of the borzoi. I think it may be zinc phosphide that reacts with the acid in the gastrointestinal tract and releases a gas that poisons the rodent. The gas does its thing and then moves on and secondary poisoning is not a problem. Of >course I would be hesitant about this until I had researched it a bit more. Zinc phosphide was one rodenticide mentioned by the state agent I consulted. It is not used in bait, as far as I could tell -- it is applied to the soil underneath a sheet of plastic, and poisons the rodents directly. It can be obtained in Oregon only by people who have state pesticide applicator's licenses. The poisoned grain I have heard mentioned was said to be treated with strychnine. This does cause secondary poisoning. I thought it likely that the voles would die underground in their tunnels and not be available to scavengers, but I don't have any of this poison, anyway, and am unlikely to use it. There MUST be something appropriate to use, though. I've lost very rare and valuable bulbs at times. The feral cats frequent the bulb frames and surely deter some rodent activity there, although their leavings are disgusting. I don't keep domestic cats because I disapprove of their predation on wild birds. Jane McGary Northwestern Oregon, USA Northwestern