What chemicals are used in rat poison?

Metal phosphides have been used as a means of killing rodents and are considered single-dose fast acting rodenticides (death occurs commonly within 1–3 days after single bait ingestion). A bait consisting of food and a phosphide (usually zinc phosphide) is left where the rodents can eat it. read more

Rat poison commonly contains anticoagulant rodenticides, which cause internal bleeding. It may also contain other ingredients such as sodium borate, colecalciferol, strychine, zinc phosphide, bromethalin and compound 1080. All are effective for getting rid of rats. Each type of poison reacts in a different way with death as the end result. read more

The question of whether the use of these rodenticides can be considered humane has been raised. The main benefit of anticoagulants over other poisons is that the time taken for the poison to induce death means that the rats do not associate the damage with their feeding habits. read more