Rats and mice are two of the most notorious pests in the world. Ever since humans started farming, we’ve been plagued by these greedy rodents. Rats and mice eat the same kind of foods you and I do, with a special preference for cereals, grains, and nuts.
Unfortunately, rodents are also capable of structural damage. They need to constantly gnaw to keep their teeth from growing too long. As a result, they will chew holes in wood and bite into electrical wires. Rats and mice cause and estimated
If you have rats or mice on your property, you want to eliminate them. The most common way to do that is by using snap traps or bait trays. Each has its advantages and drawbacks. In this article, I’m going to share with you everything I know about RatX Pellets by EcoClear Products, a product designed to control rats and mice.
What Is RatX? RatX Review
RatX is a type of rat bait that I’ve personally used with great success. It comes in pellet form, and has always worked like a charm for me. That said, years in the pest control industry have taught me just where to place it and how to think like a rodent.
Most effective rat and mouse baits are a mixture of an attractive bait (something rats like the smell and taste of) and a poison that kills rats once they eat it. Something I’ve learned working as a pest control technician is that however effective, the bottom line is that rats must eat the RatX for the product to work.
While RatX is a bait, it’s unique in that it does not contain any toxic poison.
You’ll find it on the shelf next to rat poison, and it can be helpful to think of RatX in the same way. Certainly, you use it as a poison to kill rats, but there are some crucial differences.
Properly employed, RatX is a great DIY solution for both mice and rats, saving you the expense of hiring a professional exterminator.
How Does RatX Work?
RatX works by attracting rats and mice to eat the bait. Once the rats have done so, the bait begins to accumulate in their stomach. The special formulation of the bait stops rodents from feeling thirsty, so they stop drinking. Over time, this causes the animals to dehydrate and die.
There’s no toxicity involved which means should your cat or dog stumble upon a dead rat and eat it, there’s no harmful secondary poisoning.
Ingredients
The pellets are a combination of inert ingredients, which are there to either improve the taste or the shelf life of the product and make it attractive to rodents. Then there are the active ingredients, which do the actual killing.
RatX is made of two active ingredients. 55% of the product is made of corn gluten meal, which is a naturally-occurring byproduct of milling corn. Corn gluten meal is used as animal feed in farming and is non-toxic to most animals.
The corn gluten meal works with the other active ingredient in RatX, sodium chloride — better known as salt. Together, these two ingredients have a powerful dehydrating effect on rats and mice.
How RatX Controls Rats and Mice
Once the animals find the pellets, they will probably return for several feedings, so it’s a good idea to keep placing RatX pellets until there are no more signs of rodent activity.
Once the rodents eat the bait, it will kill them in around three to five days. The downside is, unlike when dealing with a pest control company, you must remove the dead rodents yourself (if they die inside your home).
What About the Dead Rodent Smell?
One of the problems with regular rat poison is that you can’t control where the animals will die. This is an especially big concern with rats because of their larger size.
A poisoned rat can die inside a wall, attic, crawlspace, or somewhere else — you can’t easily reach it to retrieve the body. As the rat decomposes, it can produce an extremely disgusting smell. The same goes for glue traps. For that matter, even with a professional mouse exterminator, you can end up with the stench of dead rodents.
For that reason, most people prefer not to use rat poison around their home, but RatX has a unique benefit here as well.
RatX gets around this problem because it dehydrates the rodent. The active ingredient strips the rodent’s body of water. This essentially causes them to mummify, reducing the smell by up to 90%. Dried out rat carcasses don’t smell, so RatX can be used in situations where a conventional rat poison would be a bad idea.
There’s no guarantee of avoiding the smell altogether, but the odor will be significantly less and maybe even unnoticeable.
Is RatX Safe to Use Around Children/Pets?
Because there’s no poison in RatX pellets, it’s one of the safest rodent products on the market. Neither of the active ingredients are harmful to humans.
The fact that corn gluten meal is an agricultural feed demonstrates that it doesn’t hurt other animals. RatX’s special formula takes advantage of a quirk in the biology of rats and mice. As a result, it is ineffective on almost every other animal. Humans, dogs, cats, and just about anything else can eat RatX pellets without any ill effects. (Although I don’t recommend it.)
Another great feature of RatX is that it won’t travel through the food chain. If a dog or cat or even a bird of prey eats a rodent that has consumed a lethal dose of RatX, it won’t even get sick.
It’s still a good idea to keep kids and pets away from RatX pellets but it’s reassuring that even if they do accidentally consume some of the pellets, it won’t do any harm.
You should also be careful about using RatX around any domestic rodents. This product can kill pet rats just as easily as wild rats. Other domestic rodents such as hamsters and gerbils can also be killed, so make sure they can’t get anywhere near the bait.
How To Apply RatX
Any bait for rats and mice is only effective if they consume it. That’s why it’s important to deploy RatX pellets in places where you’ve seen rodent activity. Put pellets down in runways, near holes the rodents use, or even directly into the holes. Rats and mice are lazy, and the closer the food source is to their home, the more likely they are to eat it.
RatX becomes ineffective if it gets wet. For that reason, it’s recommended you scoop 1.5 to 2 ounces (40 to 60 g) of pellets into a plastic bag to deal with rats.
For mice, you can use 1/3 of an ounce (10g). The plastic sandwich bag helps to keep the pellets dry. Rats and mice will chew right through the plastic, so don’t worry about it getting in their way.
Place the bait near rat holes and runways. Rats and mice like to run along walls, so these are good areas to use the bait. Keep adding fresh bait to areas where you’ve seen evidence of rodents feeding. You want to make sure they get a full dose, so keep adding bait until there’s no more sign of rats.
One big step of any DIY mouse control, including using RatX, is making sure that you remove any competing food sources. The less rats and mice have to eat, the quicker they will find and consume the RatX pellets.
Get rid of garbage, keep food off the floors, remove fruit and nuts from trees, and get rid of birdfeeders. All of these provide good food sources for rodents and make them less likely to depend on bait.
Rats and mice can be surprisingly picky eaters. The biggest downside of RatX pellets is one they share with every rat trap or pest control bait station — if the rodents don’t eat the poison, it won’t be effective. That’s why it’s so important to get rid of other food sources.
For truly effective rodent control, without shelling out the cost of a mouse exterminator, it’s a good idea to combine multiple methods. As well as deploying RatX pellets or any other rat bait, you could also use traps to catch rats and mice. That way, even if they’re not attracted to the bait, you can still solve your rat problem.
Final Thoughts
RatX offers a unique and environmentally conscious approach to rodent control, and that’s why I use it in my own home. Its non-toxic formula and food-grade ingredients make it a safe option for households with pets, children, and concerns about secondary poisoning.
This product is well-suited for those seeking an alternative to traditional rodenticides, especially in indoor settings where safety is a top priority. While RatX typically takes a few days, its long-lasting effects can lead to a noticeable reduction in rodent activity within a week.
Moreover, RatX’s versatility in both indoor and outdoor use, minimal odor, and eco-friendly design make it a good choice for homeowners. Still, no single solution suits every situation. For larger infestations or complex environments, I recommend at least consulting with pest control professionals before trying to handle the situation alone.
The bottom line? RatX stands as a testament to modern rodent control innovation, offering an effective, pet-safe, and environmentally-friendly alternative for those seeking a humane approach to rodent management.
FAQs About RatX
What is RatX and how does it work?
RatX is a non-toxic rat poison that uses natural ingredients to effectively eliminate rats and mice. It contains a blend of food-grade ingredients that attract rodents. When consumed, it creates a deadly dehydration process that is safe for pets, humans, and non-target animals.
How do I use RatX?
RatX comes in pellet form. To use, simply place the pellets in areas where rats and mice are active. The rodents will consume the pellets as a food source. Make sure to follow the application guidelines provided on the product label for optimal results.
Is RatX safe to use around pets and children?
Yes, RatX is safe around pets and children when used as directed. Its non-toxic formula removes the risk of secondary poisoning, making it a pet-friendly option. However, I do recommend storing the product out of reach of pets and kids.
How long does it take for RatX to work?
RatX’s effects may vary depending on the size of the infestation and the rodent population. It typically takes a few days for rodents to consume enough of the pellets. You might notice reduced rodent activity within a week or so.
Is RatX effective against all types of rats and mice?
RatX is formulated to target both rats and mice. Its food-grade ingredients attract rodents regardless of species. However, efficacy of any rodent control method may vary based on local conditions and the specific rodent species in the area.
What steps should I take after using RatX to control rodents?
After successfully controlling rodents using RatX, I recommend sealing it off potential entry points to prevent future infestations. Maintaining good sanitation practices and reducing available food sources can also help in long-term rodent prevention.
