Homemade Rat Poison vs Commercial Rodenticides

One of the most repellent things to any homeowner is the sight of a rat in their home. If there is one, there are probably more and the situation could easily turn into a health hazard. Before an infestation can happen, every homeowner should know why rats choose to inhabit the property in the first place.

Rats are shy creatures that spend their time scavenging for food and water, seeking shelter and safety from predators. They are attracted to warm and damp areas, such as dark attics, chimneys, unventilated crawl spaces, and of course, our basements.

Whether you decide to deal with them yourself or prefer to use professional pest control, this guide will show you how to get rid of rats in your home with poison, be it homemade or commercial. Even though the most common method is using commercial rodenticides, not everyone feels at ease with applying those, especially if they have pets.

Which Way to Go – DIY or Store-Bought Rat Poison

There are various substances you can use to eliminate rats which are not dangerously toxic. However, they may not prove that effective if you have a full-blown rat infestation at hand. In such cases, a commercial poison may be your only chance.

But are rodenticides safe? Although they are effective in getting rid of rats and mice, they also contain a wide range of chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and even to family members and pets in some cases. It is important to know that all types of Rodenticides are potentially toxic to people, pets, wildlife or non-target species. Therefore, all products used for rodent control should be stored out of children’s and pets’ reach. Most rodenticides are toxic when swallowed, inhaled or coming into contact with the skin. This is why only professional exterminators should use them, as they are trained in doing so properly.

Above all, you must always exercise caution when dealing with hazardous substances. Below we have listed a few things that you should be aware of if you decide to use rodenticides, such as Cholecalciferol known as Vitamin D, Metal phosphides or anticoagulants.

How To Use Rat Poison Safely

Always keep in mind to:

• Protect hands and exposed skin from rat poison when mixing, pouring, or applying rat poison products.

• Wear gloves when disposing of dead rodents. Diseases such as Salmonella and Weil’s disease can be spread to humans by rats, and wearing gloves will reduce the risk of contracting them.

• Rat poison is a serious health concern, especially for children, birds, and other non-target animals. Always store rat poison securely.

• All waste must be double-bagged for disposal. It should be placed in a bin with a secure lid.

• Read the product label before using it. The label contains important information, such as what the product is, how to use it, how you should dispose of it and other warnings or precautions.

Where Rat Poison Can Be Used

• Indoor rat poison placement options include under cabinets, behind furniture, attics, basements, sheds or garages.
• Do not place your rat poison near your food or water.
• If the rat poison is outdoors, ensure it is positioned behind boards or tiles to prevent being accessed by wildlife and children.

How Does Rat Poison Work

There are several types of rodenticides (anticoagulants, Cholecalciferol known as Vitamin D, Bromethalin, etc.). The purpose of these poisons is to lure the pests into eating them, resulting in their death. Of course, the effectiveness of a pesticide depends on a number of factors. You have to place the bait in an area you feel is likely to be visited by rats. If you don’t set it in familiar places, it’s unlikely they’ll even be able to find the bait.

At the same time, rats and mice will stay away from poison if there are other food sources available to them. If there is food that rodents can find more appealing than the poison, the treatment will be ineffective.

How Long Does Rat Poison Take To Work

The time frame for rat poison to work depends on what type of rodenticide you’re planning to use. The lethal dose takes multiple feedings, so it can take between 7-8 days for the rodent to die. The size of the rat also matters. Note that rodents will rarely go to a new food source on the first day. They will probably spend a couple of days checking the site and scurrying around.

When poison is placed in a highly infested area, it will eradicate rats quickly. However, if the poison is not set correctly, it will lead to failing results when dealing with an infestation. We recommend placing the bait where you have high concentrations of rats’ droppings and urine stains.

Once you set a bait, make sure you don’t move it around. Rats are clever and will avoid the poisonous “food” if they see that it’s been moved. 

As mentioned earlier, there are many ways to get rid of a rat infestation besides using traps or chemicals. So, let’s take a look at the best home remedies and DIY methods any homeowner can try.

How To Make Rat Poison

With this guide, you’ll learn how to get rid of these unwelcome guests using homemade rodent poison.

Professional rat control might be needed when an infestation is severe and has gotten out of control. However, homemade rat bait is often as effective and less expensive. These three recipes are a great place to start!

1. Baking soda:

• Sugar;
• Flour;
• Baking soda;

Mix baking soda, sugar and flour. Use one cup of each and blend the mixture well. The sugar will attract the rats, and the baking soda will kill them. Set baits where you have seen rat droppings. The rats are likely to visit these spots again

2. Poison for rats with boric acid:

• Sugar;
• Boric acid;
• Peanut butter / Chocolate;

Unlike commercial rat poison, boric acid is very slow acting. It won’t kill the rats immediately and won’t harm people or pets. Instead, boric acid will slowly eliminate those pesky critters over time.

First, mix the boric acid and sugar. Then add water to the boric acid and sugar mixture to create a dough. You can coat these little dough balls with peanut butter, chocolate, or both! These adorable little treats are a rat’s dream

3. Homemade rat poison with plaster:

• Cornmeal;
• Plaster of Paris;
• Milk;

After mixing the cornmeal and plaster of Paris in a large bowl, add one or two cups of milk. You don’t want to soak the mixture, though! Knead the mixture together until it forms a dough. Break the dough into small pieces and roll them into balls. Place these tiny balls of dough around your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets, especially in places where you think rats may be hiding.

Note: When making plaster balls, it is important to check them every few days. You will need to create another batch of the balls if they have yet to be touched because they will harden and the rats will be unable to consume them.

How To Make a Bait Station

You can buy plastic bait stations at hardware stores. You may also be able to make your own out of wood or cardboard. Choose solid materials, like pieces of scrap wood or plastic, and make sure your bait station is large enough for rats to easily enter and exit such as a PVC pipe. Rats are more likely to enter in places with multiple exit points, so it’s better to have two entrances than one.

Get Rid of Rats for Good – preventative tips

To prevent rats from becoming your roommates, make your home unwelcoming and inhospitable for them.

The easiest way to solve a rat infestation is to seal off all the holes and cracks that they’re using to get into your house. And to confirm that you have a rat problem, you can easily sprinkle baby powder or baking soda on your floor before going to bed, and in the morning, you’ll find paw prints pointing you at the entry point of rodents.

An easy way to enter a home is through the attic and any crawl spaces. Use thick steel mesh to block all these possible entry points. The rats should not be able to chew through it, that’s for sure.

In addition to blocking all entry points, tidy up leaves and debris from the yard and keep all rubbish in tightly closed bins. Remove tree branches away from the house and roof. Keep piles of firewood away from the house.

How to make rodent repellent spray: Rats and mice are not fond of ammonia scent because it smells like a predator’s urine. To repel rats from your home, mix 1 cup of ammonia with 1 cup of vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto cotton balls and place them in the affected areas. Remember to replace the cotton balls after two weeks.

Image source: torook / Shutterstock

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