Commercial rat poison is effective against rodents, but it contains toxic chemicals that pose a risk of harm to people and pets in your home. Alternatively, you can make your own rat poison using products or materials you have at home, such as cornstarch, gypsum cement, or flour. Even though it's not very dangerous, you still need to keep this homemade rat poison out of the reach of children and pets as much as possible because you shouldn't ingest the mixture once it's mixed with the "poison" for rats that plague your home.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Making Rat Poison from Gypsum Cement, Corn Flour, and Milk
Step 1. Mix 100 grams of gypsum cement and 100 grams of cornstarch in a large bowl or bowl
Pour and mix the two ingredients in equal proportions in a bowl. You can buy gypsum cement at a craft or home supply store. Meanwhile, corn flour can be purchased from supermarkets.
- If you don't have a scale or measuring cup, use each ingredient in about 2/3 cup or cup.
- If you don't have cornstarch, use the same amount of flour.
- The gypsum cement will harden in the rat's stomach and kill it.
Step 2. Add 60 grams of sugar to make the poison look even more appealing
This step is optional, but the sweet taste of the sugar encourages the mice to eat the poison mixture. After you have added the gypsum cement and cornstarch in equal proportions, add the sugar with about half of the two ingredients.
Step 3. Use 250 ml of milk
Pour the milk into the powder mixture. You may need more milk, but start with 250 ml of milk first so the mixture doesn't get too mushy or runny.
If you don't have milk, just use water. The milk adds a flavor that makes mice even more attracted, but usually, mice will still eat the poison mixture, even if it's just cornstarch or wheat flour
Step 4. Knead the dough by hand
This mixture is non-toxic to humans so it's fine if you knead the dough directly by hand. However, if you don't want your hands to feel sticky, wear rubber/plastic gloves.
- If the mixture doesn't come together or is solid and you still see powdery ingredients, gradually add more water or a tablespoon of milk.
- The mixture should form a dough that you can twist or roll into a ball (like clay). If the mixture feels too runny, add more gypsum cement and an equal amount of corn/wheat flour. Gradually add a spoonful of ingredients until your dough has the right consistency.
Step 5. Roll the mixture into a golf ball-sized ball
Take a small amount of dough and roll it using both hands to form a small ball. You can make smaller balls if you want. Rats will still eat it. Place the balls in a place where there is “proof” of rats (but keep them out of reach of children and pets). After that, check back in 1-2 days to make sure the mice have eaten the balls.
If not, you may need to move the balls. If the rats are still not interested, you will need to make a new rat poison
Method 2 of 4: Making Rat Poison from Baking Soda
Step 1. Add the flour to the baking soda and sugar mixture
Mix equal parts flour and sugar in a small bowl. Use 150 grams of sugar and 100 grams of flour first. These two ingredients will attract mice to the baking soda. Add an equal amount of baking soda to the mixture, then mix all the ingredients together.
- You can also mix sugar and baking soda.
- You can replace wheat flour with corn flour, or sugar with cocoa powder.
- To make it more homogeneous, mix the ingredients in a blender so that it is more evenly distributed.
- Alternatively, mix baking soda with peanut butter in a 1:2 ratio.
Step 2. Put the mixture in a small bowl or jar/jar lid
For best results, use disposable bowls or food packaging lids. Don't reuse the container after it has been gnawed or touched by a rat! Pour the mixture into each bowl or container.
Step 3. Place the container in places frequented by rats
For example, if you see rats roaming near the stove or barn, place a few bowls along the paths rats frequent. If you see places that rats often dig in, place a bowl near the area so the rats can eat the toxic baking soda.
- Look for rat droppings (one small poop) around the house as rats usually live or roam around the droppings.
- Baking soda will mix with the acid in the rat's stomach and trigger a buildup of carbon dioxide that can kill it.
Method 3 of 4: Using Instant Mashed Potatoes
Step 1. Place a bowl of instant mashed potatoes in a path that mice frequent
Use short-walled bowls or lids for disposable food containers. Make sure you don't mind throwing away used containers. After that, put the pieces of instant mashed potatoes into it. Place the containers in places where rats frequent (or have "proof" of rats) so that the mashed potatoes are right in the path of rat "traffic".
Make sure you put at least 50 grams of potatoes in each bowl so that the mice actually eat a lot of potatoes
Step 2. Make sure there is a water source that the mice can use
For this method to work, the mice needed to drink water after eating the mashed potato chunks. Rats are usually good at finding their own water source, but you can also place a small bowl near the mashed potato container.
Mice are attracted to food so they will eat chunks or flakes of instant dry powdered potatoes. When he drank, his stomach would bloat and eventually kill him
Step 3. Observe the situation to make sure the mice eat the potatoes you prepared
Check the bowl at least once a day. If it's not eaten, you may need to move the bowl elsewhere.
Alternatively, try adding 1-2 spoonfuls of sugar to the mixture to make the potatoes even more appealing
Method 4 of 4: Using Rat Repellents
Step 1. Spray peppermint oil around the problem area
Add 15-20 drops of oil or peppermint extract to 250 ml of water, and transfer the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on certain areas to repel mice as these pests don't like the smell of peppermint.
- You will need to re-spray the problem areas periodically. Try spraying at least once a week.
- Peppermint oil can also repel spiders.
- Alternatively, dip a cotton swab in peppermint oil and place it where mice frequent.
Step 2. Place bay leaves around the house
Rats do not like the smell of bay leaves. In addition, if eaten, bay leaves are poisonous and can kill mice. Spread a few whole dried bay leaves around the house. You can also use fresh bay leaves if you keep the plant.
Keep in mind that bay leaves can also trigger stomach upset in other pets, such as cats and dogs
Step 3. Make continuous lines using castor oil to repel mice
This oil can keep mice away because of its unpleasant smell. The way it works is similar to how lemongrass works on mosquitoes. Try creating continuous lines in places where rats are not allowed to pass by using castor oil.
You may need to update the boundary line when it rains if you use the oil outdoors
Step 4. Spray ammonia or a glass cleaning product
Rats don't like the smell of ammonia. Mix 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of ammonia with 1,000 ml of water, then spray on areas frequented by rats. Alternatively, use a glass cleaning product that contains ammonia.
Never mix ammonia and bleach as this can produce toxic gases
Tips
Add a little nut butter on top of the poison to quickly attract the mouse's attention
Warning
- Make sure you find and dispose of any rat carcasses. Rotting carcasses leave a home with an unpleasant odor for months and are dangerous.
- Do not place rat poison in places where children or pets can reach it. Although less toxic than the more potent chemical rat poisons, house rat poison is still dangerous.
