Possibly one of the most common questions we get asked. Well, there are several factors, which may increase or decrease effectiveness. For example, well placed rat poison in a heavily infested area can lead to effective results quickly. Whereas, poison which is placed without thought or not placed correctly will lead to negative results when controlling rats. At DIY Pest Control, we stock a wide range of rat poisons in different forms along with expert advice to deliver professional rat control results.
Types of rat poison
Rat poison comes in various formulations and it is becoming harder for the public to purchase in any other than small pre-packed ready to use sachets. Rats prefer bait that is highly palatable. The sweeter the bait the longer the rats will feed. The three key active ingredients used in rat poison are either difenacoum, bromadioline or brodifacoum. These poisons affect the rats’ blood clotting response, resulting in the rodents dying a few days later. The range of rat poisons we offer are;
- Rat killer bait
- Grain bait
- Bait blocks
We strongly recommend placing rat poison in rat bait boxes for extra safety around the home. Our range of poisons can be purchased in different sizes depending on the size of the infestation you need to control. Alternatively, we sell rat control kits which contain everything you need in one handy pack.
How to increase the effectiveness of rat poison
Now you know the different types of rat poison available, our experts have shared their ideas on how to make your rodenticide poison work quicker and deliver better results. Firstly, once the bait is laid the rat poison should be inspected frequently. Areas where bait has been eaten should be replenished as soon as possible. We recommend inspecting your bait no later than 3 days after it was laid and at least every seven days thereafter. Make sure to continue baiting until all feeding activity has stopped. Check out our top tips below for expert advice on the use of rat bait stations.
Rat bait stations
Bait stations are an effective way to secure bait safely. They also help to protect children and pets from coming into contact with the poison as well as protecting the poison from bad weather conditions.
- Place rat bait stations roughly 30 feet apart and for heavier infestations 15 feet apart. Try and place the bait in the most affected areas.
- Avoid moving the stations once placed as rats respond positively to familiarity.
- Rats eat more bait than mice so replenishment is particularly important.
- In wet conditions consider using all weather or weather resistant blocks.
- To encourage the rodents into the bait boxes, use natural and familiar materials inside and around them
How long does it take for rat poison to work?
Once the rat consumes the poison it can take 2–3 days for the rodent to die. Incidentally, once a rat is poisoned it will stop feeding and this greatly reduces the risk of secondary poisoning. However, as mentioned above the effectiveness of the poison depends on several factors:
- Placing the poison correctly
- Replacing spoiled poison straight away
- Removing ALL other food sources
- Maintaining familiarity
- The size of the rat
If you need advice feel free to get in touch with a member of our team who will be happy to assist you with your rat infestation.
Recommended Products
Rentokil Rat Weatherproof Blocks 200g
- Sale!
Rentokil Rat Weatherproof Blocks – 10 Blocks
£8.04 – £42.12
These ready to use bait blocks are perfect for amateur use and this handy pack contains 10 bait blocks, for indoor and outdoor use. These are perfect to be used within a bait station.
1 pack price = £7.50 each
3 pack price = £6.52 each
Rodex Whole Wheat Sachets x5
- Sale!
This poison comes in 150g sachets. They are perfect for throwing into inaccessible places where they will stay dry until a rodent comes along and chews into the bag. They should only be used in lockable bait boxes and inaccessible areas to prevent access by non-target species.
1 pack price = £11.04 5 sachets (£2.21 each)
3 pack price = £31.20 15 sachets (£2.08 each)
Rentokil Rodine Rat Killer Grain Bait
- Sale!
Rentokil Rodine Rat Killer – 6 Sachets
£6.12 – £32.10
This ready to use poison is perfect for amateur use and the handy pack contains 6 x 25g sachets for indoor and outdoor use. We also recommend placing this poison within a bait station. This poison can kill up to 12 rats.
1 pack price = £5.70 each
3 pack price = £4.98 each
Protecta Sidekick Rat Bait Box
- Sale!
Protecta Sidekick Rat Bait Box
£9.00 – £24.48
This bait box is an economical way to upgrade from using non-tamper resistant bait stations to the security of tamper-resistance. It locks when closed and unlocks with Bell’s two-pronged Protecta key. This bait box is perfect for all weather conditions, its interior corners are rounded for easy cleaning and it opens easily for quick bait placement.
1 bait box = £7.14 each
3 bait boxes = £6.50 each
Conclusion
It is difficult to say exactly how long it can take rat poison to work, as there are many variables. The key is to be persistent and be vigilant. Placing the bait on the right rat run is vital. If the bait is not being taken, you might need to move it. Make sure there is always bait down and it is always palatable. We provide you with the most effective poisons on the market to help you control rats.
If you need any assistance or have any questions feel free to contact us today or get in touch with one of our experts on 01332 340898.
Read more: How to control rats
