They never fail: 5 homemade (and foolproof) poisons for rats and mice

Rats and mice are some of the most disgusting pests and animals that can appear in a home. Therefore, many turn to homemade remedies or poisons to scare them away once and for all . Therefore, various experts and studies have revealed five homemade remedies that "reliably" exist.

According to specialists from the New York City Department of Health (USA) and scientific journals such as the Journal of Pest Science , the best way to control mice is to keep them out. "Check your home annually to make sure it's still mouse-proof, and keep your home and property clean and tidy," they stated. However, if that option fails, below are five homemade poisons you can make:

1. Baking soda with sugar and flour This mixture is one of the best-known home remedies and has a clear scientific basis: baking soda, when it comes into contact with the rodent's stomach acids, generates carbon dioxide. Since rodents cannot release gas (they don't burp or vomit), the internal pressure caused by the gas causes their death.

(READ: The 2 homemade substances that are infallible against rats)

2. Plaster of Paris with Cornmeal Plaster of Paris (calcium sulfate hemihydrate) hardens when mixed with water. When a mouse ingests this mixture, which often includes cornmeal to enhance its flavor, the plaster hydrates with stomach fluids and hardens inside the digestive tract. This causes a blockage that can be fatal. It is a slow but effective method, widely cited in agricultural and rural control manuals, such as those of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

3. Excess salt (sodium chloride) with attractive food. Although salt is common in the diet, high doses can be lethal to rodents. When mixed with appetizing foods like oatmeal or peanut butter, mice consume it without suspecting it. Excess salt causes severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and kidney failure.

4. Boric Acid with Peanut Butter Boric acid is a natural insecticide that is also moderately toxic to small mammals like mice. When mixed with peanut butter—very attractive to rodents due to its smell and texture—it acts as a stomach poison. In sufficient quantities, boric acid damages the animal's digestive system and can cause death from internal bleeding or dehydration. It is approved by the EPA as a pesticide and is easily available at pharmacies or hardware stores.

5. Pure cocoa with gypsum or baking soda Cocoa contains theobromine, an alkaloid that is toxic to rodents, similar to how it is to dogs. Ingested in relatively low doses, theobromine affects the central nervous system and cardiovascular system of mice, causing arrhythmias, seizures, and ultimately death.

(READ: How many weeks of contributions do I need to retire under the new pension reform?)

7 tips to scare away rats

The American Society for Positive Child Care has outlined effective methods you can use to protect your family members from these intruders.

1- Seal all entry points because these animals have the ability to enter very small spaces and therefore a thorough inspection must be carried out.

2- Try to keep your house clean and tidy, as these types of rodents usually find a place where there is spilled food or even water.

3- Place rat traps in your home to control this situation.

4-Use peppermint oil, cloves, and vinegar to keep rats away from your home.

5- Try to keep the garden clean, as this space can also attract them.

6- If you need professional help, it is suggested that you immediately contact a pest control company.

7- Finally, baits can help, but they should be used with caution. Follow the safety instructions before placing them inside your home.