What to use to make a rat bait? - briefly
Effective rat bait typically combines a high‑protein attractant such as peanut butter, dried fish, or cheese with a rodent‑specific anticoagulant poison like brodifacoum. Mix the attractant and poison in equal parts and place the mixture in tamper‑proof stations.
What to use to make a rat bait? - in detail
Effective rodent attractant requires a balance of palatable food, strong odor, and toxicant.
Base food should be a protein‑rich, moist substance that rats readily consume. Common choices include:
- Peanut butter, smooth and aromatic.
- Cooked fish or tuna, finely shredded.
- Soft cheese, such as cream cheese.
- Canned cat food, unseasoned.
Odor enhancers increase detection distance. Suitable additives are:
- Anise oil, a few drops per 100 g of base.
- Garlic powder, 1 % of total weight.
- Catnip, crushed, 2 % of total weight.
Toxicant selection depends on regulatory approval and target species. Frequently used agents:
- Bromadiolone, 0.005 % of bait weight.
- Brodifacoum, 0.01 % of bait weight.
- Zinc phosphide, 2 % of bait weight, activated by stomach acid.
Mixing procedure:
- Warm the base food to a temperature that remains liquid but does not denature proteins (≈ 40 °C).
- Incorporate odor enhancer uniformly.
- Dissolve toxicant in a minimal amount of solvent (water or oil, as appropriate) and blend into the mixture.
- Pour into shallow containers, allow to solidify, then cut into 1–2 cm pieces.
Application guidelines:
- Place bait stations near walls, behind appliances, and in concealed corners.
- Position at least three stations per 100 m² in high‑activity zones.
- Replace bait every 48 hours to maintain freshness.
- Wear gloves, avoid direct skin contact, and store unused bait in sealed containers away from children and pets.
Safety considerations:
- Verify local pest‑control regulations before deployment.
- Use tamper‑resistant stations to prevent non‑target exposure.
- Record placement locations for monitoring and follow‑up inspections.