best rat poison

5 Best Rat Poisons of 2023: Pet-Safe and & Budget-Friendly Options

When rats come into your home, you need pest control that will kill rodents quickly and effectively—and not cause harm to beloved pets.

I don't know about you, but I'm not a huge fan of rodents. The idea of having a rat infestation in my home space really freaks me out. Finding dead rats and droppings everywhere is both upsetting and unsanitary. If you have a rat problem, you'll want to find the best rat poison that effectively kills rats but is more effective (and less hands-on) than typical rat traps or mousetrap.

Amazon has a great selection of rat bait for rodent control. With all the different types of rat poison, homeowners can rid their house of Norway rats, roof rats, voles, or whatever types of rodents plaguing them—without the cost of an exterminator. Just remember the best way for safe, effective rat control is to read all the instructions and warnings when using rat poison.

The Best Rat Poisions of 2023

Best Rat Poison Overall

A large, white, round plastic bucket filled with rat poison

Tomcat

Top Pick: Tomcat Bait Chunx ($28)

The active ingredient in this Tomcat rat killer is bromethalin, which kills by disrupting the rodents' nerve cells and can deliver a fast-acting lethal dose in a single feed. It's a good choice because you don't have to worry about rats and mice that have developed anti-coagulant resistance, meaning the traditional poisons won't work. Amazon reviewers rave about these "bait chunx" which each kills up to 12 rats, and recommend baiting in safe perimeter traps to prevent rats and mice from dying inside your home or walls.

Tomcat Bait Chunx - $28


Best Rat Poison for Farms

A large, white, square bin with a yellow top

Farnam

Top Pick: Farnam Just One Bite II Bait Chunks ($58.12)

Best used around agricultural buildings or farm settings, the active ingredient in this rat and mouse killer is bromadiolone, similar to the bromethalin above, which acts as a toxic food source for rodents—rather than causing death by internal bleeding. It can deliver a lethal dose in one night of feeding, though death is delayed up to four days, so rats may keep coming back for more before they expire. It works great for rodents resistant to those anti-clotting agents, such as Norway rats.

Farnam Just One Bite II Bait Chunks - $58.12


Best Rat Poison for Wet or Damp Areas

A large green bag filled with rat posion

Ramik

Top Pick: Neogen Ramik Green Rodenticide Nuggets ($24)

This weather-resistant rat and mouse bait, made with anticoagulant diphacinone, acts as a food source that delivers a lethal dose within a few days. It's well-suited for indoor or outdoor use, and works especially well in damp areas.

Neogen Ramik Green Rodenticide Nuggets - $24


Best Pet-Safe Rat Poison

A yellow and black packet of rat poision

d-CON

Top Pick: D-Con Corner Fit Mouse Poison Bait Station ($20.20)

The bait box from D-Con can be placed in small areas and because the poison is contained within a mouse bait station, it's tamper-resistant and safe to use around pets and small children. It's easy to use and its anticoagulant active ingredient works within three days on indoor or outdoor infestations. The starter kit on Amazon includes 20 bait refills, with more available to purchase separately.

For exterminating both larger rats as well as mice, consider the D-Con Rat Bait Station, which is similarly tamper-resistant for children, but because of its larger size, it's not considered pet-safe.

D-Con Corner Fit Mouse Poison Bait Station - $20.20


Best Rat Poison for Finicky Rodents

A large, white, plastic bucket filled with green rat bait

JT Eaton

Top Pick: JT Eaton Bait Block Rodenticide (currently out of stock)

The JT Eaton bait block has a peanut butter flavor that even the pickiest mice and rats can't resist. Great for garages or basements, this 9-pound pail is full of anticoagulant bait that will rid your home of any infestation—just don't use it around pets or kids.

JT Eaton Bait Block Rodenticide - Currently Out of Stock


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