Rats and Ex lax

14 years ago

Okay - I've been researching how to get rid of rats, and found several postings on various sites where people put out chocolate ex lax, and that got rid of them. Anyone have direct experience with this?

I've got dogs - they are going crazy trying to hunt them, but haven't caught anything. Poison is not an option as I can't risk my dogs eating a dead, poisoned rat.

I'm working on removing all food sources - but we have a compost bin that's going to take some effort to deal with. No more kitchen composting for me, until this is completely under control. It's like I put out a freaking smorgasbord and invited them in. I'm so upset about it. I do not compost dairy or meat (we are vegetarian). We put in our veggie and fruit leftovers and peelings, egg shells, coffee grounds, weeds and other yard waste. Trying to be green - and look what happens! Uggg. Again, I'm stopping all kitchen composting until it is under control. Thinking about ordering bokashi for the compost, to help it along.

Anyway, I can't get cats because my daughter is terribly allergic.

I ordered an ultra ratzapper, and am waiting for it to arrive.

In the meantime, I put out three boxes of generic chocolate ex lax last night, and every bit was gone this morning. I really hope it works.

I appreciate any comments - experience with this - suggestions.

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Comments (9)

jean001a
14 years ago
Hope your dogs don't get into the stuff.
meowmmy65
Original Author
14 years ago
I put it outside the fenced in yard, where they can't get it.

I'm still interested in knowing if others have any experience using this in the battle against rats.
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jean001a
14 years ago
It's an urban myth. Use some traps.
meowmmy65
Original Author
14 years ago
Have you tried it?
Kimmsr
14 years ago
Most everything I find about Ex Lax controlling mice, rats, and squirrels is anecdotal, peoples experience. The only thing I found that indicates a problem has to do with ground hogs by someone that apparently thinks vegetarians do not eat chocolate, a vegetable.
I would not debunk this outright unless I ahd tried it and it failed. I have not so cannot state it won't work.
meowmmy65
Original Author
14 years ago
I've been doing more research. This guy, Steve Tvedten, seems to be an expert: http://www.mcs-international.org/about_us/meet_the_team/usa/steve_tvedten_professional_experience.html

He specifically states "Laxatives put in their favorite foods have killed many rodents and/or pest mammals without endangering raptors and/or the environment." Page 1211, http://www.stephentvedten.com/33_Vertebrates.pdf

I have ordered a trap - the ratmousezapper, which has good reviews. When it arrives, I will put it out and see what happens.

In the meantime, three boxes of exlax were consumed by something Sunday night. That evening, there was definite rat activity around my compost bin. The dogs were going nuts. Monday, I filled the rat holes with dirt. Tuesday - no new evidence of rat activity anywhere in my yard.

I'm not ready to say this is over, but I am optimistic that laxatives could be a part of the solution. I bought more today, and will put it out again. (Where my dogs can't get it, of course.)

For me, anecdotal stories are fine. And I guess that's what I'm looking for - someone else who has done this successfully.
haterat
12 years ago
Hi
I just put out a packet of exlax and rats did not eat any.I see rat poop inside my house and they are in the crawlspace
ronalawn82
12 years ago
meowmmy65, I have not tried that particular product but you are on the threshold of a breakthrough in your particular circumstances.
The biggest hurdle in rodent control is to get the animal to feed. Trust me! In one way or another I had to deal with the problem for 20 years.
There is a good chance that if the rats continue to feed, they will die of dehydration as a result of the diarrhea that the product induces.
However, if you can lace the Ex-Lax with a poison without altering the smell or taste you will get rid of them. The poison has to be slow acting because if it is swift-acting, it will kill one or two rats; but the others will become 'bait shy'.
Now if you can induce your rodents to eat up some chocolate flavored warfarin...
Giorgio Boccalon
4 years ago
I have tried mouse traps, rat traps, glue pads, humane catch and release traps of various sizes. I have found the rats will become shy to use traps others have been killed or caught in. So I started to put bread out. They were eating it up as fast as I put it out. Then I poured a strong laxative (Lactulose Solution) on to the bread. They ate that up. Been a couple days of feeding them. Today all seems quiet and the bread I have put out, along with other Treats, are all in place. I am feeling the laxative route is a good one and I know I won't be killing raptors or other predators. So far so good. I have also detected a few whiffs of dead animal somewhere along the fence line. I will be glad when they are gone.