Which rat poison?

Merlin5 · 15 Feb 2015 at 14:02

I had a rat or two in 2013 apparently due to disturbance when I had extensive works done such as installation of central heating, chasing concrete outdoors to make a trench for drainage, amongst other building works. I got a company in that got rid of the rats using ratimor sachets which I think used Bromadiolone. So seems to be effective stuff.

I've noticed recently a rat running from (and to) under my neighbours fence and hiding in the recess where the drain pipes meets one of my drain covers. Kept my eye on it, saw it popping it's head up now and then, and eventually it ran back under the neighbour's fence. I cleaned the drain cover from any stones and other stuff and poured a ton of bleach down it. Few days later saw a rat (probably the same one) go back to the same drain.

So my question is, should I go for this Rentokil Bromadiolone product,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rentokil-PS...TF8&qid=1424008854&sr=1-1&keywords=rat+poison

or this Difenacoum product,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Difenacoum-...TF8&qid=1424007717&sr=1-1&keywords=Difenacoum

Both are anticoagulants, but from reading, I think Difenacoum is meant to be a bit better.

Traffic_Warden · 15 Feb 2015 at 14:06

Couldn't you just trap it with a rat trap? I think posion is a bit extensive for one rat, I maybe wrong. If it eats the poison when cleaning itself then it will just die in a random place (probably close to your/your neighbors house) and start to stink the place out, at least with a trap you can dispose of it and not have the smell.

Merlin5 · 15 Feb 2015 at 14:11

Traffic_Warden said:
Couldn't you just trap it with a rat trap? I think posion is a bit extensive for one rat, I maybe wrong. If it eats the poison when cleaning itself then it will just die in a random place (probably close to your/your neighbors house) and start to stink the place out, at least with a trap you can dispose of it and not have the smell.

Well poison sachets get taken to the rats living area, perhaps underground where any other rats can feed off it, so it helps kill other rats in the process. I didn't see or smell any rats when the one/ones inside my house died, and I didn't have the grisly task of having to see and dispose of a dead rat. Also, I remember being told there's a property in these rat killers which prevents them from smelling when they start to decay.

Strikeforce · 15 Feb 2015 at 16:36

I've recently had an issue with a rat and a few mice in the garden and didn't fancey using poison as I was worried the smell of the carcass would be horrible.

Instead I got one of these electric rat killers from Screwfix http://m.screwfix.com/p/procter-electronic-rat-killer/76836

It seems pretty effective.

danza · 15 Feb 2015 at 21:31

I'd just use a mechanical or electronic trap tbh. Poisoned rats can be preyed on by other animals that then become poisoned themselves. Therefore it can increase the likelihood of pest animals increasing in number. That and a decomposing rat will stink and could end up somewhere where you (or someone else) would definitely not want a decomposing rat.

Grimley · 17 Feb 2015 at 16:13

/\/\/\/\ This. If everyone used rat poison it would only be a matter of time before they would develop an immunity & said poisons would be ineffective, which IIRC most over the counter rat poisons are anyway.

bitslice · 18 Feb 2015 at 14:01

Are you insane, this **** will kill someone's pet cat. WTF :eek:

Just use a rat trap like everyone else.

iamtheoneneo · 19 Feb 2015 at 10:32

No to poison and only use a trap if its causing a problem for you.
Doesnt really sound like you have an issue? A few rats that arent really bothering you? I would just leave them be.