Toxic chemicals in rat poisons could pose a risk to the people and pets in your home.Common household items can be used to make rat poisons at home.Even though they are less toxic, you should keep them out of reach and kids and pets away from them, as they shouldn't be eaten once mixed into poison for the rats invading your home.
Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the plaster of Paris and the cornmeal.
Put equal parts of the ingredients in a bowl.You can get plaster of Paris at any craft store or home improvement store.You can try 1/3 cup of each if you don't have a way to weigh it.You can use flour in the same proportions if you don't have cornmeal.The plaster of Paris will kill the rats.
Step 2: It will be more appealing if you add 1/3 cup of sugar.
The rats will eat more of the mixture if the sugar is too sweet.Add half a part of sugar after adding equal parts of plaster and cornmeal.
Step 3: Start with a cup of milk.
The milk should be put into the powdered mixture.Start with this amount so you don't make the mixture too wet.You can use water if you don't have milk on hand.The milk will give it more flavor to draw in the rats, but most likely they'll still eat it just for the flour or cornmeal.
Step 4: Put the mixture together with your hands.
It's not a problem to use your bare hands because this mixture isn't toxic to humans.Gloves can be put on if you don't want your hands to be sticky.Add more water or milk if the mixture isn't sticking together.You want to make a dough by rolling it into balls.If it seems too liquidy, add more plaster and cornmeal/flour in equal parts, only adding a spoon at a time until you get the right consistency.
Step 5: About the size of golf balls, roll the mixture into balls.
Roll the dough between your hands to form a small ball.If you prefer, you can make them even smaller.Either way, the rats will eat them.If you see rats in the vicinity of the balls, place them there and check back in a day or two to make sure they're eating them.You may need to move the balls if they're not.You may need to make a new set if the rats aren't interested.
Step 6: Baking soda and sugar should be added with flour.
Start with 1/3 cup of sugar and 1/3 Cup of flour in a small bowl.The rat likes baking soda.Add another part of baking soda to the mix.You can mix sugar and baking soda.You can use hot chocolate mix or cornmeal instead of sugar.If you want the mixture to be more homogeneity, pulse it in a blender.Baking soda and peanut butter can be mixed.
Step 7: Place the mixture in small bowls.
You don't want to use the containers again after a rat has been digging around in them if you reuse disposable bowls or food container lids.The mixture should be dumped in each bowl.
Step 8: You should put the containers in places where you've seen rats.
If you've noticed rats near the stove or in your shed, set the bowls along the rats' pathways.Put a bowl nearby for the rats to snack on if you can see where they've dug.The rats are likely to be nearby, so look for rat droppings.The baking soda causes a build up of carbon dioxide in the rats' stomachs, which leads to their death.
Step 9: The rats' path has bowls of mashed potatoes in it.
You can use shallow bowls or disposable food lids.Make sure you use something that you don't mind throwing away.If you put them where you've seen evidence of rats, they'll be in the right place.Make sure to put at least 1/2 cup (50 g) in each bowl.
Step 10: Make sure the rats have water.
They need to drink water to work this out.They're good at finding water on their own, but you can place small bowls of water near the potato flakes.Rats are drawn to the dried food and will eat it.When they drink water, they will eventually die.
Step 11: Make sure the flakes are being eaten.
At least once a day.If they aren't being eaten, you may need to move the bowls.Adding sugar to the food will make it more appetizing.
Step 12: It's a good idea to spray the area with the oil.
Add 15-20 drops of oil or extract to a cup of water and put it in a spray bottle.Rats don't like the smell so spray it in areas where you want to repel them.Try to spray the area at least once a week.Spiders may be deterred by the scent of mint.Put cotton balls in the areas where you've seen rats.
Step 13: Bay leaves can be placed around your home.
Rats don't like the smell of this leaf.It may be toxic enough to kill them if they try to chew on it.If you grow the plant, sprinkle the dried leaves around or use fresh bay leaves.This can cause stomach issues in other pets, such as cats and dogs.
Step 14: The oil should be rubbed in continuous lines to repel rats.
Rats don't like the scent of castor oil, so it keeps them away.It's similar to how citronella works on mosquitoes.Try to make continuous lines of oil where you don't want rats to go.If you use it outside, you may need to have it renewed.
Step 15: There is ammonia or glass cleaner nearby.
Rats don't like the scent of ammonia.You can mix ammonia in 4 cups of water and spray it in the areas you've seen rats.Try using a glass cleaner that has ammonia.Ammonia and bleach can create toxic fumes.