Warfarin

When there is a rat or mouse infestation afoot, rodenticide baits play a large role in controlling the population. Modern baits and formulations deliver an affordable and generally safe method of eliminating rat and mouse infestations as part of an integrated pest management strategy. However, this wasn’t always the case. The active ingredient which revolutionized the industry when it comes to effective rat poisons is Warfarin.

Solutions Pest & Lawn has a variety of rodenticides in stock which are based with Warfarin. On this page, you can learn more about Warfarin and its origin, how it works and you can also shop the warfarin contained products we have in our inventory.

What is Warfarin?

Warfarin is known as an anticoagulant or blood thinner. Initially used by humans as a blood thinner to prevent blood clots, the substance then became a popular active ingredient in rat poisons. Warfarin revolutionized the rodent control business when it first appeared on the market in 1950. What made Warfarin stand out was that it was safer to use than the highly toxic rodenticides used at that time (i.e., strychnine and zinc phosphide).

Since its introduction,  Warfarin has become highly popular and is featured in a variety of different rodenticides on the market. It is odorless, tasteless and effective in very small doses. Warfarin comes in a variety of formulations such as bait blocks, powders, dusts, liquid concentrates and more.

How Does Warfarin Work?

Mode of Action

Warfarin’s mode of action is through inhibiting Vitamin K in the body of the target species. In other words, it is an anticoagulant that works via preventing the clotting of blood by decreasing Vitamin K levels in the blood.

Benefits of Warfarin

Warfarin is highly water-soluble so it can easily be dissolved and used by the body. Warfarin starts taking effect within 24 hours and can take 3-5 days for the full effect to be realized.

Drawbacks of Warfarin

Warfarin delayed effect can be too slow for some to be able to tolerate, especially if you want rodents eliminated quickly or if there is more than one rodent you are dealing with. In some cases, warfarin rodenticides are not as palatable as other rodenticide anticoagulants. Warfarin's low potency requires multiple feedings for the rodent to consume a lethal dose.

Is Warfarin Safe?

Warfarin is regarded as one of the safest rodenticides by the EPA. This is largely due to two key characteristics of the compound. First, the delayed effect provides a large window for medical intervention in cases of accidental ingestion by a child or pet. Secondly, warfarin is rapidly metabolized and excreted from the body

However, as safe as Warfarin may be, measures should be taken to keep the poison away from children and pets. Gloves should be worn during the application, make sure to wash hands after handling the bait and avoid all contact with the mouth. If accidentally ingested, it is required to be prolonged treatment with Vitamin K1 is required to recover from poisonings.

What To Expect

Warfarin can successfully be used to control significant rodent infestations such as Norway rats, roof rats, mice, field rodents, opossums, and raccoons. It can be applied inside and outside of industrial buildings and homes, in outdoor alleys, port terminals, sewers, farmhouses, grain stores, factories, fields, and transport vehicles such as trains, ships, and aircraft.

In most areas, a child-proof and tamper-resistant bait station is required by law to avoid accidental poisoning of humans and nontargeted animals.

Warfarin is a slow-acting rodenticide so you should expect multiple feedings by the rodent before they die. They will need at least 2 or 3 nights of consuming the bait to build up a lethal dose and another 4 days for the active ingredient to slowly kill the rodent.

Featured Products

Kaput Rat & Mouse Bait (Place Packs) - Kaput Rat & Mouse Bait is a rodenticide used for treating rodent infestations. The bait mimics the natural food source for rodents like rats, mice, and voles by being manufactured as a loose grain. The easy-to-use place packs can be placed as a whole unopened package in areas where rodents feed.