There are many homemade remedies to get rid of rats. However, only a limited number of them are effective due to the increasing cleverness of rats—they tend to avoid poisons and even traps. To tackle rats, you need creative solutions with effective homemade ingredients such as fluoride frequently found in toothpaste. So in this guide, you will learn how to make homemade rat poison with toothpaste.
However, just a small amount of toothpaste will not be effective, especially if you are dealing with an infestation.
Does toothpaste get rid of rats?
Toothpaste can get rid of rats. The two primary components of toothpaste are sodium fluoride and mint. Sodium fluoride is toxic to rats, while mint serves as a repellent. However, in one research, experts gave sodium fluoride daily for 3 months to 10 rats, then the rats survived for another month before being killed.
Mint is a well-known rat deterrent, and many suggest planting mint around the home to keep rats away. Additionally, the use of peppermint oil as a rat repellent is just as effective.
In situations where you require a fast solution to deter rats and do not have access to mint plants or oil, apply a small amount of mint-flavored toothpaste to the rat’s entry points. The strong mint odor will be sufficient to drive the rats away.
So, if rats are causing trouble in your community, try smearing toothpaste on the corners of doors and windows. The minty scent will be repulsive to rats, as they have highly sensitive noses.
How to make homemade rat poison with toothpaste
DIY rat poisons can be both economical and efficient. Below are the steps to make homemade rat poison with toothpaste:
1. Identify the specific rat areas
The first step is to identify the rat traffic areas. You should find signs of rat presence, including dropping, urine stains, nesting materials, and saliva. The area will generally have a musky or ammonia-like smell.
2. Make your homemade rat poison with toothpaste
You need the following:
- 4 tablespoons of crushed salted peanuts or peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder or baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of toothpaste
- 2 tablespoons of flour
- 1 tablespoon of sugar
Mix all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. If necessary, add a teaspoon of water. Shape the mixture into small balls.
3. Apply the toothpaste
According to popular opinion, you might just need just toothpaste on its own without any bait for your homemade rat poison with toothpaste to eliminate the rats. Apply a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste near the rat’s entry points, such as attics, doors, windows, and cabinets.
Place multiple toothpaste balls in one location to guarantee that the rat ingests a lethal dose of the fluoride. When food is scarce, the rats will likely turn to the toothpaste balls, ultimately leading to their death.
4. Inspect the area regularly
Make sure to inspect the areas regularly to be sure rats are taking the homemade rat poison with toothpaste baits. You need to replace the toothpaste often when dried out and less effective.
Rats are voracious eaters and will consume the poison balls, leading to their death within a few days. It may take several days of placing the poison to fully eradicate the rats from your home. This method is safe if you keep hedgehog but keep the animal from the bait.
How much toothpaste does it take to kill a rat?
One tube of toothpaste weighing 21 grams can be a lethal dose for a single adult rat. Almost all kinds of toothpaste contain sodium fluoride as a primary ingredient, which is effective in killing bacteria and other germs in the mouth.
A rough estimate is that 0.4 grams of toothpaste is equivalent to the size of a pea. 0.4 grams of toothpaste contains 0.972 milligrams of sodium fluoride. An adult rat will succumb to death after ingesting approximately 52 milligrams of sodium fluoride. This means that you need roughly 20% of a standard 100-gram toothpaste tube to kill a single rat.
Does fluoride kill rats?
Fluoride has been a staple ingredient in rat poison for centuries and is an effective way to kill rats and their colonies without causing harm to other animals or humans. Just be cautious if you have young children under the age of six in the household.
The amount of fluoride in each rat poison product may vary, as each company creates its own unique formula. However, most rat poisons contain a higher amount of fluoride than is necessary to kill a rat. A high concentration of fluoride in rat poison guarantees the death of pests. When mixed with grain or any other food, rats will quickly consume the poison and die shortly thereafter.
In some countries, fluoride is no longer used in rat poison and has been replaced by blood-thinning compounds, which are considered safer than fluoride.
Sodium fluoride toxicity in rats
Sodium fluoride in toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay in humans, but it is toxic to rats.
In rats, fluoride can cause bone cancer, disrupt brain activity, and reduce appetite. The death caused by fluoride depends on the dosage and can range from quick to slow. A high dose of fluoride ingestion leads to a swift death, while a lower dose will result in a slower, prolonged death.
The health of rats gradually deteriorates leading to death. To ensure that the homemade rat poison with toothpaste made from sodium fluoride works quickly, use it in high quantities.
An experiment conducted by P. Ekambram and Vanaja Paul demonstrated the toxic effects of sodium fluoride on adult female rats. The rats were provided with drinking water containing 50 parts per million of sodium fluoride either alone or in combination with calcium carbonate. The rats were given fluoridated water for 2 months, which resulted in decreased food and water intake.
As a result, the rats’ weight and diet decreased. After the experiment, a series of laboratory tests were conducted to assess the effects. Sodium fluoride gradually impairs the rat’s motor activity, can lead to dental lesions, reduces the concentration of protein and serum calcium levels, and increases serum fluoride levels.
Read also: some claim salt and detergent kill rats
Conclusion on homemade rat poison with toothpaste
You can eliminate rats with household items such as your toothpaste. The active ingredient in toothpaste, sodium fluoride, is not harmful to humans or animals but an excessive amount is. Fluoride can lead to decreased appetite, cancer, and neurological damage in rats. Some people consider it to be inhumane while others just see it as a household remedy for rat presence.
