How do you poison rats with boric acid? - briefly
Mix powdered boric acid with a palatable bait such as peanut butter or sugar to create a paste, and place the mixture in areas where rats frequent. Ingested acid disrupts their digestive enzymes, causing fatal toxicity within one to two days.
How do you poison rats with boric acid? - in detail
Boric acid works as a metabolic poison for rodents. When ingested, it interferes with the insect’s (rodent’s) enzyme systems, leading to death within several days. The following procedure outlines safe and effective use.
Prepare the bait.
- Mix 1 part boric acid powder with 3 parts attractive food such as peanut butter, dried fruit, or grain.
- Add 1 part powdered sugar to improve palatability.
- Blend until a uniform, sticky paste forms. The concentration of boric acid should not exceed 10 % of the total mixture by weight to avoid rapid aversion.
Load the delivery devices.
- Use small, sealed containers (e.g., plastic bottle caps, commercial bait stations) that allow rodents to enter but restrict access by pets and children.
- Place a pea‑sized amount of the paste on a piece of cardboard or paper inside each device. Ensure the surface is smooth to prevent spillage.
Position the stations.
- Locate near walls, behind appliances, in corners, and along known runways.
- Keep at least 2 feet away from food preparation areas and human traffic.
- Deploy 2–3 stations per 100 square feet of infested space.
Monitor and maintain.
- Check stations daily for consumption and signs of non‑target exposure.
- Refill with fresh bait when the amount drops below half.
- Remove and replace any station that shows evidence of pet or child interference.
Dispose of used material.
- Wear disposable gloves.
- Place contaminated bait and containers in a sealed bag, then discard according to local hazardous‑waste regulations.
- Clean the surrounding area with a damp cloth to remove residual powder.
Legal and safety considerations.