THE BEST RAT POISON - RANKING
If you want to carry out pest control, the first thing you need to do is find out who you are dealing with. The next step is to choose a suitable rodenticide preparation. Rat and mouse poison comes in different forms and with different active ingredients.
Popular rat poisons come in the form of:
- paste baits
- wax throws
- poisonous grains
- pellets
- foam or liquid poison
EFFECTS OF RAT POISON
Rodenticides are usually based on coumarin derivatives. In the right concentration, they have an anticoagulant effect. If the poison is eaten by rodents, it causes internal bleeding after a certain time. The effect occurs faster or slower depending on the substance used.
How much does a rat eat? Adult rats usually eat about 30 g of food per day, divided into an average of 10 portions. This means that if the active ingredient is well chosen, a rat can absorb a lethal dose of poison in less than half a day.
Mice eat much more frequently, eating up to 20 meals a day. During this time they eat about 2-3 g of food. A lethal dose of poison can therefore be consumed by a mouse in just a few hours.
RAT POISON - CONSEQUENCES FOR DOGS AND CATS
When using rodenticides in areas where other animals may come into contact with the product, you need to know how the poison will affect so-called non-target animals. Bromadiolone-based rat poisons are among the safest poisons because they cause less damage over a longer period of time, but are less effective on rats. Please note that rat poison should only be placed in designated bait stations if there is a possibility that third parties or other animals may come into contact with the poison. The area where rat control with poison is carried out must be properly marked.
What to do if a cat or dog has eaten rat poison? If you find that your dog has eaten rat poison, you should contact your vet immediately. They will give you the antidote vitamin K2. In the case of cats, direct ingestion is unlikely. However, cats can be exposed to rat poison by eating mice that have already ingested a rodenticide. Cats should therefore not be allowed access to a rat control area and dead rodents should always be removed immediately.
NOT EVERY POISON IS THE SAME - WHICH IS THE BEST?
Several factors play a role in a successful rat poison. In addition to an effective active ingredient, the attractants and the structure of the poison are also important. The leading poison in this field is called RATIMOR. It is a rat poison that exerts an irresistible attraction on pest rodents. The ready-to-use poison is up to 50% more attractive to rats than natural food. This is particularly helpful when rats have to be controlled in places that, due to their nature, are a source of food for the pests, such as processing plants, catering establishments, shops, warehouses, etc.
HOW DO YOU APPLY THE POISON CORRECTLY SO THAT IT WORKS?
An important point that is often underestimated is the correct distribution of the rodenticide. Rat poison should always be placed in specially marked bait stations, thus reducing the risk and danger of biocides to human health, non-target animals and the environment.
In the case of rats, the poison should be distributed every 5-10 meters. In the case of mice, it is advisable to place the bait boxes at smaller intervals of 2-5 meters. When setting up the bait boxes, also take into account the characteristic movement pattern of rodents (along walls) and place the bait stations accordingly.
