Types of Rat Poisons
Many methods of dealing with rats are available, including trained animals and traps. Homeowners also have the option of using poison to cure their rat problems. What type of poison is best depends on the household and on the rat situation. Bromethalin will take care of the problem quickly, anticoagulants have antidotes that can be readily taken, and vitamin D and zinc phosphide are harmless to people.
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Bromethalin
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One of the most effective types of rat poison on the market contains bromethalin, which is a non-anticoagulant chemical. Bromethalin, once ingested, affects the rat's brain and cerebrospinal fluid. A single dose of this poison is enough to kill the rat in up to 10 hours after ingestion.
Anticoagulants
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Anticoagulant poisons are specially formulated to deplete the vitamin K in a rat's bloodstream, making it more difficult if not outright impossible for the rat's blood to clot. Warfarin, fumarin and bromadiolone are a few examples of rat poisons that function this way. For those who have pets or children, these are the recommended poisons, as antidotes are readily available for them should an accident occur.
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Vitamin D
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It might seem counterintuitive to put vitamins in a poison, but either vitamin D or cholecalciferol can be very effective at killing rats. Once they're ingested, these chemicals bring the rat's calcium to deadly levels, causing increased urination, excessive weight loss and thirst, as well as ventricular fibrillation. Within one to two days, the rat who ingested the poison will die of cardiac arrest.
Zinc Phosphide
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Another popular poison for rodents of all sorts is zinc phosphide. First used in Italy, it became common in the United States in 1939. Relatively safe, zinc phosphide has been shown to have no ill effects on people, and rarely does it have poisonous, secondary effects on those who may eat dead rodents. Zinc phosphide causes phosphine gas to be absorbed into the blood stream of the rodent by reacting with the stomach acids. This causes blood vessel damage and eventual cardiac arrest.
Choice
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While these are not the only rodenticides that are available, these four constitute the most popular and advanced poisons for rats on the market. Which poison is best for your situation should be determined with the help of a professional. Consider who or what may be exposed to the poison in addition to the rats. Pets, children and others may accidentally ingest what was meant to kill a pest.
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