How and how to poison rats and mice: the most powerful poisons that are safe for people and pets

Author: Michael Potter Updated: April 17, 2020

There are two types of rat baits: food (non-toxic) - for luring rats into a trap, and poisonous - for killing rodents. Food baits can be used for all types of rat traps, and poisons are most often used in conjunction with special stations for safety reasons. In this review we will talk about the 8 best poisons for rats and mice.

After ingesting poison, rodents die within a few hours to several weeks. Mice are smaller than rats and can die within a day, but rats die more slowly (a week or two). Poison baits are toxic and can kill any animal, including pets (cats and dogs), squirrels, raccoons and other wild animals. Be careful when using them around your pets and small children. Otherwise, instead of using poisons, you are better off purchasing an ultrasonic pest repeller to safely eliminate the animals that are bothering you.

Types of poisons for mice, names of products and brief descriptions

Finding mouse poison at a hardware store is not difficult. But the main thing is to choose a drug that is not only effective, but also safe for humans and pets.

You should not buy the first product you come across, so as not to harm your health.

All mouse poisons are conventionally divided into groups according to their properties:

1. Ingredients: vegetable, synthetic.
2. In form: granules, tablets, cream, powder, gel, aerosol.
3. According to the active component: fast, prolonged action. In the first case, the rodent dies immediately after the poison enters the body, which is not always effective, because its relatives are unlikely to approach the bait again. In the second case, mice or rats die within 1-2 days, and the bait does not cause any concern to other rodents.
4. By method of penetration: intestinal (poison when swallowed), contact (penetrate through the epidermis), fumigants (poison enters the animal’s body through inhalation).

The principle of action of the poison is to attract the attention of a rodent with bait containing a lethal dose.

Anticoagulants

This type of poison is the most popular. Their action is aimed at blocking platelet synthesis. As a result, the blood stops clotting, and the rodent dies from numerous hemorrhages.

This category of poisons has a prolonged effect, death occurs within 3-14 days.

Advantages of anticoagulants:

1. The poisonous bait does not provoke instant death, and in other rodents there is no association between death and the drug.
2. When eating the drug, the rodent does not develop pain; it returns to the poison several times, which allows a lethal dose to accumulate in the body.
3. Low degree of danger. Even if a toxic substance comes into contact with human skin, its effect can be neutralized by administering vitamin K.

Be sure to read:

How to catch a rat at home: do-it-yourself traps and traps

Anticoagulants are of the first and second generation. The principle of action of the former is that mice eat the product over several days to accumulate a sufficient amount of poison in the body. These include: warfarin, diphacinone.

The difference between the latter is that for the death of a rodent, one-time eating of the bait is enough. These include: difethialone , bromadiolone , brodifacoum .

The most effective anticoagulants:

1. "Rat Death" The active ingredient is brodifacoum. Death occurs within 3-4 days. The poison causes attacks of suffocation, forcing the animal to leave the premises. As a result, it dies from internal hemorrhages. The poison is produced by a briquette of blue-green dough.
2. "Nutcracker". The active ingredient is flocumafen. The drug contains bitterness, which prevents pets and children from eating the poison.
3. "Storm". The poisonous ingredient is brodifacoum. Release form is a doughy mass of red or blue color. The death of rodents occurs within 3-4 days.

"Ratsid"

This poisonous agent is produced in the form of purified grain, which is sprinkled with the poison alpha-naphthylthiourea (1%). It causes intestinal poisoning, causes pulmonary edema and disrupts blood clotting. As a result, convulsions appear and suffocation occurs.

"Krysid" belongs to drugs of the 3rd hazard class, it should be used in compliance with all safety rules.

To achieve the desired result, it is necessary to initially spread ordinary grain in the habitats of rodents for 2-3 days. And only then sprinkle the poisonous grain and leave it for eating.

When using "Rat" it must be alternated with other poisonous agents, as mice get used to its action. The drug should be used taking into account the fact that it can generate dust, and there is a possibility of microparticles settling in the human respiratory tract.

Prohibited poisons for mice

There is a group of poisons that are prohibited for use. This is caused by high levels of toxicity to humans and pets. The composition of the drug should be studied to avoid serious health consequences.

Be sure to read:

DIY mouse trap: types of homemade traps

These products cause serious environmental damage as they retain their toxicity for several years.

A bird or wild animal that eats an infected rodent dies. And this tragic chain can continue until the poison stops working.

List of prohibited drugs:

• strychnine,
• lead compounds,
• arsenic, products based on it,
• yellow phosphorus,
• salt waist.

Despite the danger of use, you can find rodenticides on the shelves that contain prohibited substances.

These include: “Krysin”, “Rodenfos”, “Fumifos”. When buying poison, you need to carefully study the components included in it.

Smoke sulfur bombs

This method of exterminating rodents and pests has gained particular popularity among summer residents. To treat the room, you need to install the device and light the wick.

As a result, the released sulfur gas has a poisonous effect, penetrating into cracks, nooks and crannies and into the top layer of soil. The death of rodents occurs within 2-3 days.

Attention! The use of smoke bombs is permitted only in non-residential premises.

What substances deserve attention?

As noted above, there are a large number of means that are used to bait rodents. Next, we will analyze some of the main active ingredients of such drugs in order to know the principle of their operation and the basics of use.

Bromadiolone

Preparations that contain an active ingredient such as bromadiolone are excellent for your own home. The concentration of the substance in the general composition should not exceed 0.05 grams per kilogram. Many experts recommend the use of preparations of this type to protect garden crops from mice in utility rooms. Among the popular means in this direction, the following stand out.

Means	Description
"Rattidion"	These are wax briquettes that do not crumble and are not susceptible to water. This combination guarantees a durable, practical product for rooms with high humidity. Attractants are used to increase “attractiveness” to rodents. It should be noted that such poison is also sold in granules. Use this product in homes where pest burrows are visible. The drug is capable of destroying young individuals and pregnant females. Death from "Rattidion" occurs after 5 days.
"Norat"	This is another type of poison that is used in gelatin briquettes or capsules. The drug in question is instantly fatal.

It should be noted that there are many more similar drugs. Among the well-known names are “Blockade”, “Bromine paste”, “Green House” and so on.

Brodifacoum

The most popular products with this active ingredient are called “Talon” and “Clearat”. Used for cottages, utility rooms. Brodifacoum is contained in a concentration of 0.05 grams per kilogram. Works well against rodents in enclosed spaces.

Among other popular names of funds are:

• granular "Brodirat";
• briquetted or granulated “Varat”;
• “Kilmays”, “Final”, “Mortorath” and some others.

Products containing brodifacoum are quite effective - for example, Brodirat, Varat, etc.

Some drugs are presented in the form of grain bait. A striking example of this is “Rodefakum”. Experts note that the greatest efficiency is achieved in basements and cellars - both dry and wet.

Ethylphenacin

A very popular type of poison that copes well with its tasks. Products with such a substance are distinguished by their versatility of use and form factors that are available to customers. Among the well-known products in this category, “Barrier” stands out, which is sold in the form of a wax briquette. Used for basements, sewer networks, as well as indoors. It should be noted that the presented drug can be used in children's rooms, since the product is safe for humans.

The Barrier product is presented in the form of wax briquettes

“Barrier” is an excellent way to get rid of rodents, since the latter treat the product as regular food. There is no repelling, which leads to the rapid destruction of the entire colony.

How to prepare poison for mice at home that is safe for other animals

You can make poison for uninvited guests yourself, using improvised means . These baits will be completely safe for humans and pets.

Their action is not as fast as that of chemical drugs, so you can completely get rid of mice in several procedures.

Recipes for preparing poison.

1. Mix buckwheat with alabaster in a ratio of 1:3. Place a container of water next to the bait. After a meal, the rodent will want to drink, which will lead to swelling of the alabaster inside.
2. Combine sugar with quicklime in a 1:2 ratio. Rodents will not ignore the sweet powder, and when lime reacts with moisture, gases will begin to be released, the temperature will rise and the stomach will swell. This will lead to inevitable death.
3. Mix gypsum with corn flour in equal quantities. Add a little warm milk to the mixture to form a stiff dough. Roll the resulting mass into balls and place them in rodent habitats. The plaster in the stomach will harden and clog the rodent's intestines.

Be sure to read:

How to deal with mice in an apartment, what to do: effective methods and means

How to get rid of mice using folk remedies

To combat uninvited guests, you can also use folk remedies. This method repels rodents.

But with mass population they are often ineffective.

1. Mint. Soak cotton pads in the extract of this herb. Place them in habitats. You can replace the extract with fresh herbs, but then you need to change it daily.
2. Ash. Sprinkle the substance generously in the corners. As they run, ash particles will fall on the paws of the mice. When cleaning the fur, the rodent will lick it, which will cause inflammation of the oral cavity and digestive organs.
3. Sagebrush. Dry the grass. Set it on fire and extinguish it slightly so that smoke comes out. Fumigate all the rooms so that the pungent odor spreads into all the cracks. Repeat the procedure for 3-5 days. Place fresh wormwood in the corners, replacing daily.

Receipt

The discovery of a method for producing metallic arsenic (gray arsenic) is attributed to the medieval alchemist Albertus Magnus, who lived in the 13th century. However, much earlier, Greek and Arab alchemists were able to obtain arsenic in free form by heating “white arsenic” (arsenic trioxide) with various organic substances.

There are many ways to obtain arsenic: by sublimation of natural arsenic, by thermal decomposition of arsenic pyrite, by reduction of arsenic anhydride, etc.

Currently, to obtain arsenic metal, arsenopyrite is most often heated in muffle furnaces without access to air. At the same time, arsenic is released, the vapors of which condense and turn into solid arsenic in iron tubes coming from the furnaces and in special ceramic receivers. The residue in the furnaces is then heated with access to air, and then the arsenic is oxidized into As2O3. Metallic arsenic is obtained in rather small quantities, and the main part of arsenic-containing ores is processed into white arsenic, that is, into arsenic trioxide - arsenous anhydride As2O3.

The main method of production is roasting sulfide ores followed by reduction of the oxide with coal (carbon):

2As2S3 + 9O2 →toC 6SO2↑ + 2As2O3 As2O3 + 3C →toC 2As + 3CO↑

Fighting mice in an apartment, house or country house

Carrying out deratization requires compliance with certain processing rules. The effectiveness of the procedure depends on how well they are followed.

Rules for the use of poisons

To protect yourself when using mouse poison, you must follow the following safety precautions:

1. It is necessary to pour poisonous baits into low containers; nylon lids on jars, film, and cardboard are suitable. Dispose of them after use.
2. Distribute the poison in small doses, regularly replenishing supplies.
3. Dead rodents should be removed from the premises in a timely manner: fleas living on them can transfer poison to pets.

Where to spread the poison

Poison baits should be placed in places where rodents are most likely to appear: near holes in the floor, ventilation pipes, in corners and behind furniture.

The poison should be poured in small doses, but in different places.

Where to set the traps

Traps should be placed near rodent habitats, out of reach of children and pets.

Precautionary measures

When processing, it is important not to forget about your own safety:

1. You should wear gloves when handling toxic agents.
2. When spraying, remove pets in advance.
3. Hide food so that an infected rodent cannot transfer the poison to it.
4. Wear a respirator and protective clothing when performing aerosol pest control.
5. Do not store opened packets of poison.

Dealing with uninvited guests in your home is not difficult, the main thing is to choose a reliable and safe means.

Mouse trap crushers

There are masher mousetraps, which are dies with a spring. The advantages of such devices are:

• significant efficiency;
• durability;
• cheapness.

They must be used carefully. There are several options for such devices

Steel mousetrap “FIT”

This mousetrap is a classic design with a wood base and a durable steel fixture. As soon as the rat wants to eat the bait, the mechanism will immediately slam shut. Such mousetraps are popular due to their low cost and trouble-free operation. The disadvantages include the fact that death does not occur instantly, but after some time. The tree gradually becomes saturated with the smell of dead rodents, and subsequently the rats will avoid old mousetraps.

Plastic mousetrap “Mr.Mouse”

This classic mousetrap is made of plastic. If we compare it with a wooden structure, it does not become dirty or saturated with odors. It can be used many times. It is safer for humans during use because the principle of operation resembles a large clothespin. The bait can be chocolate, peanuts, seeds.

Trap "House"

This trap does not kill rats, but only locks them inside. Pests cannot get out. The trap consists of a plastic pipe, which is bent at a certain angle, and two doors. After it is installed, you need to remove the back cover and put in the bait. Then place the trap in the desired place, close the back cover, and open the front door. The door is designed for a rat. When the animal crawls towards the food, it will automatically close.