Killing Rats with Coke | Does This Work or Myth?

Is killing rats with Coke even a thing? People sometimes use Coke, Pepsi, or similar sodas to try and get rid of rats at home. But does Coca-Cola actually work in killing rats, or is this just a myth?

Now, let’s see how colas and soda water are believed to get rid of rodents and if they actually do the job.

Killing Rats with Coke: Is This Myth?

Home remedies have a reason behind the possibility of killing rats with Coke. However, there might be a not-so-happy story behind using Colas to deal with rodents. Back in the 1800s, there were drinks called Cocas, and they had alcohol in them.

The word “coca” comes from the main ingredient, which is cocaine. Cocaine comes from the coca leaf. John Pemberton created his own Coca beverage, and he later added kola nut for its caffeine.

The non-alcoholic version of this drink became known as Coca-Cola in 1886. It was sold as a drink for people who didn’t want alcohol and even as a cold medicine.

It took many years to discover the problems with cocaine, and now Coca-Cola uses coca leaves with all the cocaine removed. Cocaine is harmful, and it’s possible that people noticed its effect on rat control when exposed to spilled Coca-Cola.

This might be why some people think it’s the fizziness that makes Coke work as a rat poison.

Can Coca Cola Kill Rats?

Unfortunately, no scientific tests have been done to see if soda can truly get rid of these rodents.  However, many people have claimed they have used drinks like Coca-Cola or Pepsi to get rid of rats.

People who believe in the idea of killing rats with Coke claim that when rats drink Coke, they get gas in their stomachs. The explanation is that rats cannot burp, thus, they cannot get rid of the gas, and it supposedly kills them slowly. well, fizzy soda is just not enough to explode anything.

On the other hand, those who do not believe in this home remedy mention cases where rat owners purposely give Coke or Pepsi to their rats multiple times without any problems. These are conflicting views.

No remedy, whether homemade or chemical, is sure to work every time, so it’s okay to give this trick a try. The sugary smell might attract rats and help catch them.

By the way, sugar-free soda won’t do the job because rodents have no reason to drink it.

Killing Rats with Coke: What to Do Using Coca-Cola

You need to understand that rats may not be interested in your Coke. In this study, 1 of the 22 rats still became heavy cocaine users, but the other 21 were either low-level users or non-users. Of the rats in the non-enriched environment (boring environment), 34 were low-level users, and 12 were high-level users. So, in killing rats with Coke, this may come into play.

1. Choose Your Soda

Both Coke and Pepsi are sugary sodas that can attract rats due to their sweet aroma and taste.

2. Prepare the Container

Select a wide lid or a small, shallow bowl. Ensure it’s clean and free from any other scents that might deter the rats from coming.

3. Pour the Soda

Fill the container with the soda, ensuring it’s deep enough for the rats to drink but not so deep so that they don’t drown.

4. Place the Container

Identify areas where you’ve noticed rat activity or where they frequent. Place the container in these spots, ensuring it’s easily accessible to the rats.

5. Monitor the Area

Keep an eye on the container. Refill it if the soda level goes down, and check for any signs of rat activity.

6. Have a Backup Plan

While some believe that rats cannot burp and thus consuming soda can be fatal for them, this method is not a foolproof way of killing rats with Coke. You also need to have a backup plan or alternative methods in place, such as traps or professional extermination, if the soda method does not yield results.

*Always remember that while home remedies can be effective, they might not work every time. It’s essential to be patient and persistent, and always be ready with alternative solutions.

Using Home Remedies or Professional Pest Control

Now that we have discussed why some people think soda can be used as a pesticide and whether it actually works, let’s consider something important. When we look at studies on other home remedies, we find that some just don’t do the job.

Some remedies are based on stories from people or they work in specific cases. Using a soda or baking soda might help with smaller pests, but it’s less likely to be effective against big rats.

While giving a rat some Coke or Pepsi might work for one, it won’t help with a big rat problem. Home remedies are better for stopping pests before they become a big issue or for dealing with small infestations.

When the pest problem gets big, it could be more affordable to get help from a professional pest control company. They can get rid of the pests faster and make a plan to stop them from coming back.

Other Homemade Ways to Get Rid of Rats

There are better ways to handle a rat problem in your home than trying to use Coke or any carbonated soda to kill them.

1. Use Boric Acid

You can use boric acid – it works well to keep rats away and can be used as homemade rat poison. You can buy boric acid in drug or hardware stores. It is simple to make; mix boric acid with sugar or powdered chocolate, and rats will be attracted to it, but they’ll die after eating it.

2. Use Peppermint Oil

You can simply deter rats with peppermint due to its strong smell. Rats do not like the strong scent of peppermint. Also, rats are sensitive to smells, so if you put peppermint oil around your home, especially near entry points and corners, it will help keep them away.

3. Use Rat Baits

Rats can climb and find hiding spots easily. These critters prefer sweet stuff and foods from plants, like nuts and fruits. You can put rat poison in their favorite foods, such as peanut butter or dried fruit, to catch or kill them.

There are also ready-made rat bait products that work well. They come as meat baits or pellets. But be careful, some pesticides can be dangerous to people.

4. Baking Soda

Instead of killing rats with Coke, you can use baking soda. I have made a detailed guide on how you can use baking soda to get rid of rats.

5. Hire Professional Exterminators

If everything else you have tried, such as killing rats with Coke or natural repellents, does not work, your final option is to call a trained exterminator. These experts are good at finding the main issue and solving it, from getting rid of current problems to stopping future ones. If you can’t handle the rodent issue on your own, get in touch with a certified pest control in your city.

Final Thoughts – Killing Rats with Coke Myth or Real?

Even if there’s no proof that Coca-Cola can really get rid of rodents, it’s okay to give it a shot. Just keep in mind that you might bring in sugar ants, roaches, or silverfish because of the sugars in the soda. But the fizziness could potentially deal with these smaller pests.

Research has found that fizzy drinks might reduce the ability of female mice to have babies, which can help slow down an infestation. Refer to this STUDY. But remember, rats are larger rodents compared to mice. Also, for a severe rat infestation, it is best to get a professional exterminator.