The normal solution to controlling pesky Rats is by using poison. However, have you tried other means to keep them out? Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your furry family members from the risks of getting rid of Rats!
HOW THESE 5 RODENTICIDES CAN HARM YOUR PETS
Rats have been with us for as long as we can remember, and we’ve been trying to control their numbers ever since. Aside from the public health and food risks associated with them, Rats can also bring about even more tragedies because of their presence.
The reason for this is that humanity’s traditional pest control strategy for Rats involves using one of two things: traps and poison.
But let’s face it, traps can only neutralize so many in one go. And while poisoning them seems to have more bang for the buck, it can be an indiscriminate solution.
Pesticides specific to Rats are called rodenticides. While they are specifically designed to kill Rats efficiently, the problem is that Rats are mammals – and so are Cats, Dogs, and Humans. This means that whatever can poison them… can poison us and our loved ones, too.
Here are some of the more common types of rodenticides – and what they do to, well, kill Rats.
ANTICOAGULANTS
This kind of rodenticide interrupts an animal’s ability to recycle Vitamin K, important for blood clotting. With these, Rats – and other living things – will die of internal bleeding.
This kind of Rat poison has been used widely, and second-generation versions have been developed, because many Rodents are now resistant to the original ones.
BROMETHALIN
This poison stops cells in the nervous system from producing energy. Paralysis and death are the outcomes as nerve cells swell, which damages the brain.
When bromethalin breaks down in nature, the component chemicals are even worse than the original chemical itself. It’s so powerful that it’s considered a single-use (read: multiple doses not needed) poison.
CHOLELCALCIFEROL
This is actually a vitamin! Specifically, it’s Vitamin D3. In normal doses, it helps in keeping balanced levels of calcium. However, too much of it is just like having too much of a good thing: Calcium levels in the blood will spike, which can damage many internal organs.
This kind of rodenticide rarely affects people, since multiple large doses will be needed to lead to harm. But for our beloved Dogs, Cats, and other at-risk family members, this can be very, very dangerous.
ZINC PHOSPHIDE
This poison is practically something out of Mission Impossible: Contact with water and acid will change this into phosphine gas, which is very toxic. It will affect the heart, brain, kidney, and liver.
STRYCHNINE
This is the classic poison for all seasons. Once an animal (or human) has had a large dose, muscle spasms can cause breathing paralysis and, eventually, death.
Whatever can poison Rats can poison us and our loved ones, too.
WHY ANIMAL COMPANIONS WILL LIKELY EAT THESE POISONS
It’s normal to assume that our Dogs, Cats, and other-species loved ones will be smart enough to not eat poison, but that’s a false assumption for these reasons.
POISON IS USUALLY MIXED WITH FOOD
Poison is usually meant to be used with food types a Rat will eat. Unfortunately, there is a big, big overlap of food that both Rats and animal companions consume. The possibility of a meal will usually encourage our pets to have a go at it.
POISON SMELL IS USUALLY MASKED
Even worse, the bait food will probably mask most of the smell and taste of the poison – if it even has any!
CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT (AND DOG)
Never underestimate the ability of Dogs and Cats to rummage through containers and low-positioned storage areas out of sheer curiosity. It’s a good idea to keep Rat poison in high, secure storage areas away from pets’ reach.
CAN WE STOP USING THESE POISONS?
Given how persistent Rats can be as pests, are there ways for us to lessen their threats to us or avoid these altogether?
The concept of humane methods of controlling Rat populations may seem foolish (okay, maybe really stupid), but it is important to realize that poisoning will only go so far: Evolution will eventually make them resistant to poison. While cycling through different poisons may work, this can still eventually end up in poison-resistant Rats.
So, what’s a human to do?
GIVE CLAYGO A GO!
“Clean as you go” isn’t just a catchy request in fast-food restos about bussing your own tables; it’s an excellent reminder of how you can avoid poisoning Rats and potentially your own animal companions.
REMOVE TRASH
That old saying that a Rat is only as clean as your house has a grain of truth to it (and this applies to Cockroaches, too). Trash piles, such as refuse dumps and open waste containers, are a buffet for all sorts of animals looking to survive.
CLEAN UP THE SURROUNDINGS
It’s not just trash that you should clean up. Any unnecessary hiding place should also be removed. Unlocked storage bins, even when they’re empty, and unkempt gardens (long grass and overgrown shrubs) are all potential Rodent towns.
DON’T SERVE DRINKS
Aside from food, Rats also look for sources of water. Make sure that you keep open water sources to a minimum.
No pet bowls full of water left outside, no open buckets of water for cleaning outdoor areas should be left uncovered as Rats might drink from. By the way, this is also an effective way to remove Mosquitoes from your general surroundings.
NO $#!+
Not to be rude, but do make sure that any sort of feces from your pets shouldn’t be left uncleaned for too long. Rats can and will treat even those as food.
SEAL THE DEAL
Always check if your doors, window screens, and walls are free of holes – this is particularly important if your house has wooden walls. It’s bad enough if your Rats are all around your house, but a literal crack in your house’s defenses can mean that they’ll have a backdoor to establish themselves inside.
As you can see, maintenance and cleanliness are the best ways to prevent Rats from coming in in the first place. And while these seem more work-intensive than just using poison, remember why you’re doing this: You want a safe home for your animal companions.
BUT WHAT ABOUT TRAPS?
Given the nature of humane traps, they won’t work in full-on infestations. This kind of animal control has to work in conjunction with the preventive measures mentioned above.
LIVE TRAPS
Live traps are designed to capture Rats alive. Unfortunately, this still means that they should be transported to the nearest disposal facility… and that means they will still be terminated, unless you release them back into the wild far from your home.
SNAP TRAPS
These are designed to kill Rats, and kill them fast and with as little pain as possible. Think more effective and efficient versions of mouse traps as seen in cartoons.
GLUE TRAPS
Glue traps are the worst. Please do not use glue traps as they cause so much suffering. If you believe that Rats remember and have revenge in their minds when they escape these traps, you’re in for a helluva time with a destructive pest.
Really, just don’t do it.
POISONED PET?
Let’s say that the worst has possibly happened, and that your pet has ingested some Rat poison. What are the symptoms you should be aware of?
Here are the following symptoms that may mean your Dog or Cat has been poisoned.
- Lethargy or weakness
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding from the gums, or coughing up blood, or blood in feces
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
- Tremors and seizures
- Loss of appetite
Do remember that while these symptoms may sound generic, if quite a few of them are happening all at once, then it’s time to quickly go to the vet.
CAN PEOPLE GET AFFECTED, TOO?
If your Dog or Cat can be affected by Rat poison, then it makes sense that you can be, too, depending on the poison.
These poisons can be absorbed if you touch or inhale them. What makes it confusing is that the effects can appear hours, even days after exposure.
If you think you’ve mishandled Rat poison, it’s best to immediately go to the nearest emergency room and tell them what sort of poison may have been mishandled.
The following are symptoms of possible poisoning.
- Bleeding from gums, nose, or even the skin itself
- Chills
- Mental confusion
- Spasms or involuntary movements
- Dehydration and increased urination
- Headaches
- Signs of internal bleeding (lightheadedness, shortness of breath, pain, nausea, vomiting)
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Upset stomach
DOING IT RIGHT
Given the health risks for your furry family members, your human children (if you have any), and yourself, dealing with Rats is a case of how proper prevention can steer you clear of risky solutions.
Keep your surroundings clean and your garbage squared away. You may see an occasional Rat or two, but they’d be easy to deal with. And with a clean home, they’re less likely to settle in.
