Rat poison - Definition and Overview

Rat poisons are a category of pest control chemicals intended to kill rats.

Single feed baits are chemicals sufficiently dangerous that the first dose is sufficient to kill.

Anticoagulants

Fatal internal bleeding is caused by overdose of anticoagulant drugs such as:

• brodifacoum
• bromadiolone
• chlorophacinone
• diphacinone
• warfarin

Coagulant drugs or Vitamin K1 have been suggested as possible antidotes for pets accidentially exposed to anticoagulant poisons. In addition, since some of these poisons act by inhibiting liver enzymes, a blood transfusion (with the enzymes in question's products present) can save a person who inadvertently takes them, an advantage over some older poisons.

Poisonous chemicals

Other chemical poisons include:

• barium (a toxic heavy metal)
• barium carbonate
• bromethalin (which affects the nervous system, no antidote)
• strychnine
• tetramine
• thallium (a toxic metal)

Alternatives

Mechanical rat traps are one possible alternative to poisons; another alternative is to buy a cat.