What is the primary purpose of bait stations in rodent control?

The primary purpose of bait stations in rodent control is to provide a confined area for rodent bait, which helps to minimize non-target exposure. By using bait stations, the bait can be securely contained, ensuring that only the intended rodent pests have access to it. This design helps prevent accidental poisoning of non-target wildlife, pets, and humans by restricting access to the bait.

Additionally, bait stations often have features that keep the bait secure from environmental factors such as rain or moisture, which helps maintain the effectiveness and integrity of the bait over time. This careful management of bait placement and exposure is crucial for safe and effective rodent control practices.

The other options focus on different aspects of pest management: attracting pests from a distance may help in some contexts, but it is not the primary function of a bait station. Monitoring rodent populations is important in pest management as well, but typically involves traps or other methods rather than bait stations specifically. Lastly, while bait stations can reduce the need for traditional traps, they do not eliminate the need for traps altogether, as traps and bait stations can be used complementarily in a comprehensive pest management strategy.