Best Rat Poison for the Money 2022 | Top 7 Reviews & Picks

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rat poison

Welcome to our best rat poison review. Rat infestations in towns and cities are commonplace and cause many problems for households and businesses every year. Rats are a big problem because they carry Weil’s disease passed to humans through their urine. The symptoms are similar to flu and can last for five days but, in very severe cases, can cause organ failure and death due to heart, liver, or respiratory failure.

These infestations are a health hazard, but they can cause a lot of damage to properties which will cost a lot to repair. Quickly dealing with a rat infestation is crucial. There are many ways to deal with a rat problem, and one of the best is to use a rodent bait poison. However, there are so many to choose from, and making the right choice for you can be challenging. For instance, what’s safe if you have children or pets? What works best indoors or outdoors? How much do you need for a lethal dose, and do you need a bait station?

We’ve tested a whole range of products and selected our Best Overall and Best Value picks, so you can buy with greater confidence no matter what situation you are experiencing.

Here’s a quick rundown of what we talk about in this best rat poison review article:

  • First, we compare our top 5 picks side-by-side in a comparison table.  Ideal if you’re short on time!
  • Next, we explain each brand’s features and benefits we think you’ll need to know about
  • Then, we lay bare their drawbacks
  • And finally, our buyer’s guide will give you a much better insight into the product line enabling you to quickly identify which one is right for you

Sound good?  Let’s begin!

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Comparison of Our Favorite Rat Poison Products:

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7 Best Rat Poison Reviews:

 

1. Tomcat Bait Chunx (Best Overall)

**Best Overall**
**Best Overall**
  • Tomcat Bait Chunx Pail 4 LB is an excellent bait for multiple rats including the Norway rat and roof rat. Its active ingredients are Bromethalin so it will kill the poisoned rodents after they eat enough poisoned bait, making it a highly effective pest control.
  • Tomcat rat bait comes in a four-pound pail with many great features. First, this is an excellent product for high rat populations or severe infestations. Bromethalin - the active ingredient - begins to kill rodents within two days after consuming a lethal dose, unlike anticoagulant rodenticide baits which take much longer for a rat or house mouse to die (this means that your rodent problem can be controlled with less bait).
  • It features a delicious, highly palatable rodent poison that will appeal to rodents. Each block includes food-grade ingredients and contains small amounts of paraffin for greater appeal and quicker rat poisoning.
  • A quick knockdown makes it perfect for the control of large numbers of rats and mice. Also, these residual rodenticides do not attract secondary pests such as cockroaches due to their fast-acting nature and will not affect non target wildlife.
  • Of course, you will need to read the product instructions and ensure you adhere to any local pesticide regulation, but this product is a highly targeted rodenticide poisoning bait and so the chances of you inadvertently killing a non target species is very slim indeed.
  • Rodents are foiled with this bait- it quickly kills off the pesky critters who stop feeding when they consume a lethal dose. This pail is both mold and moisture resistant; features holes for placing on rods in a bait station or can be secured using nails or wire.
  • Tomcat Bait Chunx wins our Best Overall category as it has all the features of a highly effective rat killer, and is not super expensive.
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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Economic
  • Food-grade ingredients
Cons
  • Rats may store them in their nest
  • Use of bait stations not recommended

 

2. Ramik Green 4 lb bag (Best Value)

**Best Value**
**Best Value**
  • You want to be able to know that your home and yard are free of rodents! Ramik Rodenticide will give you the peace of mind to do so with the 1st generation anticoagulant Diphacinone. This product has a 4-5 day window for the death of the poisoned rat after consumption, so you can feel safe knowing it's just enough time for rodent populations to die off before any new births happen.
  • Cleverly disguised as a delicious pack of mad-scientist style, green fish-flavored pellets, Neogen Ramik Green is the ultimate bait for tackling tough-to-get rats and mice. Creatively designed with food quality ingredients to fit the needs of both homeowners and commercial pest control professionals alike, you'll never have to worry about this all-weather rodenticide's effectiveness being prevented by sunshine, rain, or snow.
  • Plus, when it comes to fighting time constraints in your busy life at home or out on the job site with work deadlines, there are no worries of the product becoming ineffective once opened thanks to the airtight sealant.
  • Rodenticide is a necessary part of any pest control program but it doesn't have to be inedible. Neogen Ramik Rodenticide Nuggets make controlling pests easier than ever.
  • This bait uses food processing technology to produce bait that tastes pleasant and attracts rats. Since it's a nugget it lasts longer than other kinds of rat poison such as blocks, so even if the rats try eating around the pellets, they still get poisoned by the rodenticide on top of whatever they eat.
  • These nuggets can withstand high heat or inclement weather without losing their flavor or efficacy and so are perfect for your indoor bait stations as well as outdoor feeding areas, and so are an economical way to keep control of the rodent population.
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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Long-lasting
  • Works against Norway rats
  • Great value bags
Cons
  • Reports of rats eating it without dying

 

3. JT Eaton Top Gun All Weather Rodenticide Bait Block 

  • The JT Eaton 750 T Rodenticide Bait Block comes with 128 blocks, and each block is effective on both mice and rats. This means that every time you use this product, it's killing two rodents!
  • Not only does it come in a non-messy powder form which is easy to tear off of the block so you can feed it to pests and not pulverize your fingers in the process - but also because this product has the stop-feed action through bromethalin exposure following a lethal dose.
  • The 1-2 days after consumption of these bait blocks leads to inhibition or disconnection between nerve impulses from receptors in muscles to the brain - meaning no more feeding for pests when they eat these blocks.
  • It's pretty hard to think of living with rats, mice, and other rodents without thinking about the potential of an infestation in your home. But let's face it--they don't ask our permission before they show up! That's why JT Eaton 750 Top Gun All Weather Rodenticide.
  • Where other rodent bait products can fail, this all-weather bromethalin bait block is one that you’ll be able to rely on. It works by being a highly lethal toxin without the risk of secondary poisoning since it targets only rodents and not larger animals or people. It has been proven more effective than some anticoagulant baits because, with Stop Feed action, rodents consume as little as 1/8th the amount required for efficacy in those cases where Stop Feed isn't present.
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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Kid-friendly
  • Versatile
  • 1-year warranty
Cons
  • Bars are smaller
  • May not work on mice

 

4.  Ramik 4 x 16 oz bars (4lb)  

  • Ramik Bait Bars have the active ingredient anticoagulant Diphacinone (.005%). Its purpose is to kill rats, mice, and meadow voles and it’s a good choice because of its mold and moisture resistance meaning they are long-lasting.
  • Created from a food quality fish-flavored grain mix and can be used both indoors and outdoors, and are especially suited for wet and damp areas, including grass.
  • They control Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice and the bars are weather resistant. We found some issues with these. Firstly, they are effective but you need to use a large dose and that can be expensive.
  • Secondly, the bars are very hard and, therefore, you need a knife to cut them. As there are only four bars in this box you are going to need to break them up to cover the main areas of infestation.
  • The infestation will be gone within 4-5 days. This is not a bad option for you but if you have more than one area to control, splitting the bars is difficult.
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Food grade ingredients
  • Indoor and outdoor use
Cons
  • Bars are difficult to split
  • Large dose needed
  • Expensive

 

5. Farnam Just One Bite II          

  • This is a deadly poison that annihilates Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice. For Use Only In and Around Agricultural Buildings Only.
  • Very effective once it starts to but it may take up to 7 days. Completely eliminates rodents, including warfarin resistant rats.
  • Use gloves to break into small pieces. It is more expensive than other products but rodents dont need as much. Warning: Chickens think its corn.
  • You must be very careful with this product. It is potent and can kill pets as well as the infestation and so it’s really only to be used by farmers in agricultural settings.
  • For us, this has too many potential hazards attached to its use. Yes, it is effective, but because of its ingredients, it must be used as stated.
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Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Highly effective
  • Potent killer
Cons
  • NOT for residential use
  • Will kill any animal

6. RatX Bait Pellets

  • With an easy-to-use design and powerful grain formula, RatX Throw Packs are one of the most cost-effective ways to control rats & mice. They come in a convenient package that is perfect for outdoors or indoors, hard-to-reach areas, or light infestations.
  • A wide variety of packaging options are available so you can choose what's best for your needs. With RatX Throw Packs, you get nonstop protection without ever having to touch the rodents!
  • RatX has been designed to lure rodents into a trap, and then eat them. Easily hidden and received by mice like other treats or bait, these packs work no matter where you place them: under furniture, in tight spaces near rodent habitat like your attic, cellar, or crawlspace.
  • RatX blocks the hair-like receptors in a rats digestive system. This means that they can no longer sense their thirst, and so they are not as motivated to drink water. This leads to dehydration and death. What's more, the dead rat carcasses mummify and so there's no bad odor to attract other animals looking for food.
  • The product has been designed to only kill rats and mice because their digestive systems differ from other mammals. So, even if your pet dog or cat ate some its non-lethal to them, but do keep an eye on them for any clinical signs of poisoning and ensure they have plenty of fresh water available.
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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • All-natural
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Can be used anywhere
Cons
  • Unreliable
  • Not durable in all weather

 

7. Natural Armor Peppermint Repellent

  • What if the best solution to your rodent and mouse problem was right there on your countertop?
  • The Natural Armor is a powerful lure that will have pests scampering away in no time. We know you've seen mice near food and water supplies, so with this product it only takes one mist of spray to send those pesky creatures scurrying off in search of another lunch. No need for a trap, bait station, or potentially harmful rat poisons!
  • Oftentimes, people have mouse problems in their homes and the only way to solve the issue is with poison. But this can be harmful to children, pets, and any other animals that stumble across it. Why risk your own health?
  • This product doesn't use poisons or harsh chemicals of any kind to keep pesky rodents out of your house- simply spray in an area where mice or rats are entering the house, such as doors, windows, pipes, and vents. This will deter them from trying again in the future. Its safe enough to use anywhere inside as well as outside your home.
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Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Smells good
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Pets and children safe
Cons
  • Will wash away
  • Unreliable deterrent

Video: How to Get Rid of Rats & Mice
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Rat Poison Buyers Guide:

Is Rat Poison safe to use?

You must always read the product ingredients and user instructions very carefully. Remember, you are putting poison down, and a bit like weed killer can cause unintentional damage to other things. If you have young kids, cats, or dogs in the area where you are leaving the rat poison, then it’s best to contact a professional pest controller. There are also some non-toxic options available, but the effectiveness of these is sketchy.

Always follow safety precautions.

The manufacturer of each rat poison will specify the same safety precautions to follow when using their product. They will be printed on the packaging and their website and are compulsory US Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

If a product does not have this, then they are not to be used under ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. We advise you to follow these implicitly. There are some products available that are designed to kill only rats. However, the vast majority contain lethal doses of toxins that affect other animals.  

Please also consider the impact on the environment. Once a rat dies, it becomes food for other species, such as birds. They will likely become infected and die from the poison, and this can cause a significant ecological impact. We advise you to wear gloves when handling any product and to wash your hands with warm, soapy water immediately afterward.

What is the right dose?

You will need to establish what type of infestation you have. Is it mice or rats? If it’s mice, then use a poison only for mice as the dose to kill them will be different. It’s also tough to spot them! You most likely hear them or see damage around your home. An excellent way to establish the species is to look for their droppings. Rats will leave larger droppings, and so that’ll give you a steer as to what poison to buy.

How does rat poison work?

Rat poisons work differently depending on the active ingredient and dose. A famous toxin is Bromethalin, and your product should contain around 0.01%. This causes neurological dysfunction and paralyzes, leading to death as their whole body shuts down.

Zinc Phosphide is also a popular active ingredient and works by producing a very toxic gas when eaten, as the animals’ stomach acid reacts with it. This stops the cells from producing energy, leading to death. Anticoagulants cause a rodent to bleed internally and therefore die. However, it is a slow process and requires a high dose.

A non-toxic poison is a calcium releaser. Too much calcium in rodent’s blood causes organ failure and, ultimately, death. The safest and most popular choice is vitamin D3 because it does not pose a secondary risk to other animals.  

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What other ingredients are in rat poison?

Rat poison comes in various forms, from pellets to wax bars. They all contain a type of Rodenticide and an ingredient to make them appealing to rats.  

How long will it take to kill rats?

Most rat poisons specify death within five days from consumption. However, it all depends on how much the rat eats. Rats store their food so you may see your poison disappear over a few days, and this can lead to frustration as they’re still alive, but a few days later, you will cull them as they then eat it.

Removing any other food source and spreading the poison around to the areas of an infestation can speed up the process. Wherever you choose to place the poison, ensure you stick to it as rodents won’t eat something they are unfamiliar with!

What effect will it have on the environment?

While you can solve your infestation problem quickly by using rat poison, you could also inadvertently cause a much larger ecological problem. It will be essential to dispose of dead rats as soon as possible to prevent other species from eating their dead bodies. Should they do, they are likely to be poisoned and die themselves. Birds, cats, and dogs are all at risk here and so following the manufacturer’s instructions closely will help prevent a negative knock-on effect.

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How do you make homemade rat killer?

Put on disposable gloves to avoid skin irritation. Start by adding 1 cup of boric acid into a bowl, then start adding chicken broth, about half teaspoon at a time, and stirring very well after each addition until the paste is thick enough that it’s no longer easily mixed but not so thin as to run off your spoon or spatula with too much ease – you want something in between these extremes when making this quick-to-make rodent killer bait mix! 

The odor from the mixture will attract rats which will eventually die once they consume this lethal concoction. 

Roll the paste into balls about the size of marbles. Place two or three of these bait balls on jar lids or other small containers; this will ensure you can quickly relocate them if need be. If there are droppings somewhere close by, like under a sink, place one near it, so rats have an easy time returning for more food next time!

Does baking soda kill rats? 

Baking soda is a great natural ingredient that can be used to make your rat poison. Combined with other potent ingredients, it will allow you to kill rats without the use of harsh chemicals or toxins! 

The baking soda reacts with the rat’s stomach acid to produce a carbon dioxide gas. This causes an internal blockage or rupture in the rat, and death can occur within six hours due to this buildup.

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Conclusion

We hope this post has been helpful in your search for the best rat poison. There are many different factors to consider when buying rat poison, but we’ve narrowed down what you need to know about these poisons and how they work. With that being said, there is no one-size-fits-all solution because everyone’s needs vary.

If you still have questions after reading our blog or would like a second opinion on which product would suit your situation, please reach out! Our team of experts will gladly help find the best rat poison for you at an affordable cost.

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Walter Snyder
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