How are rats killed? - briefly
Common lethal techniques include «snap traps», electronic devices delivering a fatal voltage, and anticoagulant rodenticides. Professional pest control may also employ fumigation or CO₂ chambers for large infestations.
How are rats killed? - in detail
Rats are typically eliminated through physical, chemical, and biological approaches, each employing specific mechanisms to ensure rapid and effective results.
Physical methods focus on direct trauma. Common techniques include:
- Snap traps that deliver a swift, forceful blow to the skull.
- Electric traps that administer a high‑voltage shock causing immediate cardiac arrest.
- Glue boards that immobilize the animal, followed by humane euthanasia.
Chemical approaches rely on toxic substances. Principal options are:
- Anticoagulant baits, such as bromadiolone or difenacoum, which disrupt blood clotting and lead to fatal hemorrhage after several days of ingestion.
- Acute poisons, for example zinc phosphide, which generate phosphine gas in the stomach, producing rapid respiratory failure.
- Rodenticides containing neurotoxins, like bromethalin, which induce cerebral edema and death within hours.
Biological strategies exploit natural predators or pathogens. Effective measures comprise:
- Introduction of feral cats or trained dogs to hunt and kill rodents.
- Deployment of viruses such as the rat plague virus, which spreads among populations and causes high mortality.
- Use of sterile‑male release programs to suppress breeding and gradually reduce numbers.
Each method requires careful selection based on environment, target population size, and regulatory constraints. Proper placement, dosage, and monitoring are essential to achieve consistent control while minimizing non‑target impacts.