How long does mouse poison take to start working? - briefly
Mouse poison usually starts affecting rodents within 30 minutes to a few hours, with the exact onset depending on the active ingredient and amount ingested. Lethal effects may appear anywhere from several hours to a day after exposure.
How long does mouse poison take to start working? - in detail
The time required for a rodenticide to produce lethal effects varies with the active ingredient, dosage, and the animal’s condition.
- Anticoagulant compounds (e.g., warfarin, brodifacoum, bromadiolone) act by disrupting blood clotting. Clinical signs usually appear 3–7 days after ingestion; death often occurs 5–10 days later, depending on the dose.
- Bromethalin interferes with cellular energy production. Neurological symptoms develop within 12–48 hours, and mortality can follow in 2–5 days.
- Zinc phosphide releases phosphine gas in the stomach. Toxic effects are rapid; respiratory distress and death may occur within 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) causes hypercalcemia. Symptoms emerge after 2–4 days, with fatal outcomes typically within 5–10 days.
Factors influencing onset time include:
- Amount consumed – larger doses shorten the interval to observable effects.
- Age and health status – juveniles or weakened mice may succumb faster.
- Environmental temperature – higher temperatures can accelerate metabolic processing of the toxin.
- Formulation – bait pellets, liquid concentrates, or dusts affect absorption rates.
Early indicators of poisoning differ by compound:
- Anticoagulants: bruising, bleeding from orifices, lethargy.
- Bromethalin: tremors, loss of coordination, paralysis.
- Zinc phosphide: coughing, labored breathing, abdominal pain.
- Cholecalciferol: excessive thirst, urination, weakness.
Monitoring bait consumption and conducting necropsies can confirm the cause of death. Prompt removal of uneaten bait prevents secondary exposure to non‑target species.