What You Should Know About Rat Poison
WouterYou might have heard about rat poison. This poison works by affecting a rodent’s nervous system. It also prevents the rodent from producing energy. Since this poison is only used once, there is no antidote and there is virtually no risk of secondary poisoning.
The only problem with rat poison is that it can harm animals other than rats. Rats may be eaten by owls and other wildlife after they are exposed to a high concentration of poison. These high doses may not be lethal, but they can impair owls’ ability to fly, and they often get hit by cars.
Aside from causing damage to buildings and structures, rats can also carry diseases. If you’re concerned about the health of your pets and children, hiring a professional pest control company can be a good option. Professional exterminators are equipped to handle rat problems and eliminate them for good.
The EPA is aware of the risks that pesticides pose to wildlife and has developed new rules to protect them. These regulations went into effect in June 2011, but were not as strict as some animal advocates wanted. One of these new rules requires that commercial exterminators use bait stations, and that baits be stored above ground in places where children and pets could access them.
The two main methods of killing rats are poisoning and trapping. Poisons used to kill rats can be fast acting or slow-acting. The fast-acting poisons will kill a rat after a single dose, while slow-acting poisons will take several feedings to kill the rodent. The most toxic poisons are zinc phosphide and bromethalin. While they’re safe for farming purposes, they’re not safe for human use.
