Dealing with a rat infestation can be frustrating, especially when these critters contaminate food sources, chew through walls, and leave rat droppings around your home. Many homeowners search for quick control methods to get rid of them, with some turning to food-based solutions.
But is there really any food that can act as a rat killer instantly?
While some homemade rat poison recipes may harm rats, they rarely work immediately.
Still, let’s examine some of the most commonly discussed food-based solutions and how they actually impact your rat problems.
Key Takeaways
- Many homeowners look for quick ways to kill rats, but most DIY food-based methods do not work well.
- Common homemade killers like baking soda, instant potatoes, and soda are unreliable because rats often eat too little.
- Safe and effective rat control includes using traps, sealing entry points, and keeping food sources away from rodents.
- Professional pest control services help eliminate rats with inspections, targeted treatments, and long-term prevention strategies.
What Food Kills Rats Instantly
A lot of homeowners look for quick fixes to repel rats using common household items. While some DIY methods might sound promising, most don’t work as well as people hope.
Here’s a look at some of the most talked-about food-based killers and whether they actually do the job.
Baking Soda
Some DIY solutions suggest using baking soda to kill rats. The theory is that when ingested, it reacts with stomach acids, releasing carbon dioxide gas that builds up inside the rat’s body.
Since rats cannot burp, the gas may lead to internal pressure and death.
However, this method is unreliable, as many rats do not consume enough of it to cause serious harm.
Plaster of Paris and Cornmeal
A common homemade rat poison involves mixing plaster of Paris with cornmeal.
Once eaten, the mixture hardens inside the rat’s stomach, causing a fatal blockage. However, rats are highly adaptive and may avoid consuming enough to be lethal.
Additionally, dealing with dead rats inside walls or crawl spaces can create more problems for homeowners.
Instant Potatoes
Another DIY method involves using instant potato flakes as rat bait.
When consumed with water, the flakes expand inside the rat’s stomach, leading to digestive issues that may be fatal. However, this method does not always work, as some may detect the unnatural food and avoid it.
Peanut Butter and Poisoned Bait
Peanut butter is an excellent attractant. However, in studies, certain baits caught more than three times as many brown rats as peanut butter.
Still, some exterminators suggest mixing poisoned bait with peanut butter, but this method carries risks. Pets or children may accidentally ingest the mixture, making it a dangerous pest management approach.
Instead of using poisoned bait, consider placing bait stations with professional-grade poison for safer, more effective rat control.
Coca-Cola and Soft Drinks
Some people believe that soda can kill rats because of its carbonation.
The idea is that rats, which cannot burp, will experience a fatal buildup of carbon dioxide in their stomachs. However, this method is largely ineffective, as they do not consume enough soda to cause death.
How to Effectively Get Rid of Rats Without Relying on Food-Based Methods
While some DIY food-based solutions may harm rats over time, they are not reliable for eliminating infestations from various rat species.
Instead, homeowners should consider preventative measures and proven pest control techniques, such as:
- Rat traps, including snap traps and mouse traps, placed in high-traffic areas
- Sealing entry points to prevent more critters from entering
- Using peppermint oil as a natural rat repellent in areas where rats are active
- Keeping pet areas clean to remove pet food that may attract rodents
- Hiring professional pest control services for guaranteed results
Letting dead rats decay in your home can lead to health hazards, the buildup of bacteria, and infestations of fleas and bedbugs.
That’s why proper cleanup and disposal are essential after eliminating rats.
Take Action Now to Eliminate Rats from Your Home
Dealing with Norway rats or black rats can be overwhelming, especially when DIY methods fail to eliminate the problem.
That’s where we come in.
At Green Home Pest Control, our rodent control services include a thorough home inspection, targeted bait stations, effective snap traps, and strategic entry point sealing to stop infestations at the source. We also offer safe, pet-friendly solutions and preventative measures to keep your home rodent-free long-term.
If you’re tired of battling these critters on your own, let us handle it.
Call us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward a rat-free home!
21 years of pest control experience
Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
13 year resident of Arizona
