Environmentally Safe Rat Poison

Today's technology provides numerous options for getting rid of unwanted pests.

Several options are now available to rid your home of unwanted pests in an environmentally friendly way without harming yourself, your family members or your pets with dangerous chemicals. For the highest rate of success, baiting and trapping are necessary.

Traps

Quite a few traps are available, including single-bar traps, bucket traps and live-catching traps. Some catch one rat at a time, while others can hold several rats. Single-bar traps have a spring-loaded bar and a trigger; when the rat steps on the trigger, the bar snaps down. Bucket traps have a ramp leading to the rim of a deep container. The container can be filled with liquid to drown the rat when it falls in or left empty to hold the live rat. Your choice in trap will be determined by your level of comfort with trapping and releasing the rodents.

Bait

Chemical-free rodent bait is commonly available. After ingestion, the rats become dehydrated, which causes thickening of the blood and circulatory collapse. No toxins are left in the rat's body to harm to owls, dogs, cats or other animals that may play with or eat the corpse. To be effective, the bait must be the only food source available to the rat, so secure any bird feed or grain prior to use. Always wear protective gloves when working with rat control items, whether poisonous or not.

Repellent

Environmentally friendly rodent repellents are organic, easy to use and safe around children and pets. These granules often contain garlic, herbs and predator animal urine. Always use these products according to package directions.

Electronic Devices

Sensors inside electronic traps trigger the system to give rodents a lethal jolt. Electronic traps are powered by batteries. As with regular traps, your comfort level with handling the rodent will determine your choice in electronic traps.

Carbon Dioxide

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has recognized a high-tech trap that painlessly poisons rats with carbon dioxide, then sends an email or text message letting the trap owner and a technician know that the trap needs to be emptied.

References

• Garden Action: Rat Control, Rat Traps and Facts
• PETA: Builder of More Humane Mousetrap Recognized