What kills rats? - briefly
Rodenticides—including anticoagulant baits—, snap traps, and predatory animals are the primary agents that cause mortality in rats. Effective control often integrates chemical and mechanical methods to ensure rapid elimination.
What kills rats? - in detail
Rats succumb to a range of lethal agents, each acting through distinct mechanisms. Chemical rodenticides interfere with blood coagulation or disrupt cellular respiration. Anticoagulant formulations, such as bromadiolone and difethialone, inhibit vitamin K recycling, leading to internal hemorrhage. Acute poisons, including zinc phosphide and sodium fluoroacetate, generate toxic gases or block the citric‑acid cycle, causing rapid organ failure.
Mechanical devices deliver fatal injury by compression or impact. Snap traps exert a sudden force that severs the spinal cord, while electric traps administer a high‑voltage pulse that induces cardiac arrest. Live‑capture traps, when combined with a secondary lethal method (e.g., carbon dioxide exposure), provide humane termination.
Biological control exploits natural predators and pathogens. Domestic cats, owls, and snakes can reduce populations through predation. Infectious agents such as Yersinia pestis and Leptospira spp. cause fatal disease under conducive conditions, though intentional use is restricted by regulatory frameworks.
Environmental management eliminates habitats and food sources, indirectly increasing mortality. Sealing entry points, removing waste, and maintaining dry conditions deprive rats of shelter and nutrition, leading to starvation and dehydration.
Effective eradication typically integrates multiple approaches: chemical bait placement, strategic trap deployment, predator encouragement, and rigorous sanitation. Coordinated application maximizes mortality while minimizing non‑target impacts and resistance development.