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.

DIY or Store-Bought Rat Poison

If you’re wondering how to get rid of rats safely and effectively, there are various non-toxic substances you can try. 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.

There are many ways to get rid of a rat infestation besides using traps or chemicals, such as Cholecalciferol known as Vitamin D, Metal phosphides or anticoagulants. So, let’s take a look at the best home remedies and DIY methods any homeowner can try.

How To Make Rat Poison

Professional rat control might be needed when an infestation is severe and has gotten out of control. However, in this guide, you’ll learn how to get rid of unwelcome guests using homemade rodent poison. After all, homemade rat bait is often as effective and less expensive. These three recipes are a great place to start!

Homemade Rat Poison with Baking soda

Simple homemade bait using baking soda, sugar, and flour can help get rid of a rat infestation safely and effectively. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing and using DIY rat bait:

Necessary ingredients:

• Sugar;
• Flour;
• Baking soda;

To prepare effective homemade rat poison, mix one cup of baking soda, sugar, and flour. Blend the mixture thoroughly and place the baits in areas where you’ve noticed rat droppings or activity. Rats are likely to return to these areas, making them ideal locations for your traps. Check the bait regularly and refill as needed to ensure a constant supply.

This simple natural rat bait works because the sugar attracts rats, while the baking soda reacts with their stomach acids to kill them.

DIY Rat Poison with Boric Acid

If you’re dealing with a rat infestation and prefer a safe, non-toxic solution for your household, boric acid can be an excellent option. Compared to commercial rat poisons boric acid is slow-acting and effective at eliminating rats over time while being safer for humans and pets.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 part boric acid
• 1 part sugar
• Peanut butter or chocolate

Step 1: Combine equal parts of boric acid and sugar in a bowl and stir well to ensure an even mixture.

Step 2: Gradually add small amounts of water to the boric acid and sugar mixture. Knead until it forms a pliable dough.

Step 3: Coat the dough balls with a thin layer of peanut butter or melted chocolate. These will make the bait even more irresistible to rats. Roll the dough into small balls approximately the size of a marble.

Step 4: Place the baits near rat entry points, along walls, or in areas with visible rat activity. Check the bait regularly and replace it as needed. This method is a practical, safe, and budget-friendly alternative to store-bought rat control solutions. With consistent use and strategic placement, you can reclaim your space from these unwelcome intruders.

How to make homemade rat poison with plaster

What You’ll Need :

• Cornmeal
• Plaster of Paris
• Milk

1. Combine cornmeal and Plaster of Paris

In a large mixing bowl, combine equal parts cornmeal and plaster of Paris and mix thoroughly the ingredients.

2. Add milk gradually

Slowly pour in the milk while stirring. Knead the mixture until it forms a soft, pliable dough. Be careful not to add too much milk as the dough should not be wet or sticky.

3. Form the dough balls

Break the dough into small pieces and roll them into marble-sized balls. Let the balls dry slightly to ensure they hold their shape and pace them near areas with rat activity.

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 rat bait stations at hardware stores. However, 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.

When designing your rat bait stations, consider how to keep the bait securely in place. Rats often carry bait away, which can reduce its effectiveness and pose risks if it is moved to unintended areas. Ensuring the bait is securely attached to the rat station is crucial for both safety and success. Additionally, rats can be surprisingly strong and persistent – they may move an entire bait station if it isn’t secured or heavy enough. Using durable materials and proper mounting methods will help keep everything in place, even when faced with determined rodents.

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 To Use Rat Poison Safely

• Using rat poison is an effective way to manage rodent infestations, but it must be handled with extreme care to protect yourself, your household, and the environment. Below are some essential tips for using rat poison safely:
• Rat poison is a serious health concern, especially for children, birds, and other non-target animals. Therefore, always store it out of reach of children, pets, and wildlife. A locked cabinet or a high shelf is ideal for storage.
• Protect your hands and exposed skin when mixing, pouring, or applying rat poison products. This minimises contact with toxic chemicals that could harm your skin.
• Avoid touching your face, mouth, or eyes while handling rat poison to prevent accidental ingestion or irritation.
• Wear gloves when disposing of dead rodents. Diseases such as Salmonella, Hantavirus and Weil’s disease can be spread to humans by rats, and wearing gloves will reduce the risk of contracting them.
• All waste must be double-bagged for disposal. It should be placed in a bin with a secure lid. This reduces the risk of exposure and secondary poisoning to other animals.
• Carefully read the product label before using any rat poison. The label includes critical information such as what the product is, how to use it, how you should dispose of it and other warnings or precautions.
• If rat poison poses a risk to children, pets, or wildlife in your home, consider alternative pest control methods, such as traps or natural or homemade rat repellent.

Where Rat Poison Can Be Used

• Rat poison should be put on a flat surface in a secure area.
• If using loose rat poison (grain bait), it must be placed in designated trays or robust containers.
• Suitable indoor locations for placing rat poison are beneath cabinets, behind furniture, in attics, basements, sheds or garages.
• Do not place rat poison near your food or water
• If the rat poison is outdoors, ensure it is positioned behind boards or tiles to prevent it being accessed by wildlife and children.
• All rodenticide baits should be stored out of reach of children and pets.
• Be mindful of the risk of ‘Secondary Poisoning’ when addressing a rodent problem.

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.

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.

Conclusion

Dealing with a rat infestation can be challenging, but with the right approach and tools, you can effectively get rid of it. While professional rat exterminators are often necessary for severe infestations, DIY solutions like homemade rat bait stations provide an affordable and potentially safer alternative for homeowners. These methods, which use natural ingredients, can help eliminate pests without harmful chemicals.

However, whether you choose homemade rat poison or commercial poison, make sure pets, children, and wildlife are protected from accidental exposure. By combining careful planning with effective techniques, you can reclaim your space from unwelcome invaders and maintain a healthy, rodent-free environment.

Image source: torook / Shutterstock

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