Zinc Phosphide

When it comes to rodents like rats, mice, and even pocket gophers, a worry often arises that a rodenticide may not be effective due to resistance. This often results in manufacturers and developers going back to the drawing board to come up with new formulas that mitigate the resistance effects and increase the power of poisons so that rodents are killed much quicker.

One such poison that is regarded as the world’s most toxic rat poison is the active ingredient called Zinc Phosphide. Because of its high toxicity, zinc phosphide products are restricted use products, and a license is required to purchase them.

Solutions Pest & Lawn is proud to carry products containing Zinc Phosphide. On this page, we will give you an overview of zinc phosphide and why it works so effectively. We will also present to you the top zinc phosphide-based products we have in stock for you to shop.

What is Zinc Phosphide?

Zinc Phosphide is an active ingredient that combines Phosphorus and Zinc and is commonly used in rodenticide baits. When ingested by a rodent, stomach acid turns the Zinc Phosphate into phosphate, a highly toxic gas that becomes lethal to the target pest. 

Zinc phosphide is used to control rats, mice, voles, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, Nutria, muskrats, feral rabbits, and gophers. The chemical is also utilized as tracking powder for the control of house mice. It is used on both agricultural and non-crop lands, such as lawns, golf courses, highway medians, and areas in close proximity to wetlands. 

How Does Zinc Phosphide Work?

Mode of Action

Zinc phosphide is a lethal rodenticide that poisons target rodents by exposing them to Phosphate gas. When consumed by an animal or even a human, the acid in the stomach chemically transforms the Zinc phosphide into toxic phosphide gas. Baits containing Zinc Phosphate are especially effective against rodents that do not have the ability to vomit (rats, mice, and rabbits).

The Phosphide in the stomach moves into the body's cells and halts them from producing energy, resulting in cell death. Zinc phosphide affects all cells in the body but especially targets vital cells in the heart, lungs, and liver.

Benefits of Zinc Phosphide

Zinc Phosphide is an effective rodenticide that works exceptionally fast to kill invading rodents. Products containing zinc phosphide are used heavily in agricultural settings to control the rodent population and keep them from damaging crops. Zinc phosphide-based baits have a strong, garlicky odor that attracts rodents but makes the bait unattractive to other non-targeted animals.

Use zinc Phosphide products when you have a rodent infestation that you want to eliminate quickly. 

Drawbacks of Zinc Phosphide

Products containing Zinc Phosphide are highly toxic, so extra care must be taken to ensure non-intended targets do not consume the bait. Most products are considered restricted use, so you need an applicator's license.

Is Zinc Phosphide Safe?

While highly toxic, Zinc Phosphide is safe to use when applied according to label directions. It is highly recommended that people wear the personal protective equipment required to lessen the risks of inhaling, ingesting, or coming in contact with the skin. The minimum PPE suggested when handling strychnine-based products includes chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and dust masks.

An additional safety measure is to place baits in a tamper-resistant bait station to prevent them from being tampered with by pets, non-target animals, and children.

What To Expect

Zinc Phosphide works quickly, with the target animal succumbing to the active ingredient's toxicity between 15 minutes to 4 hours following the consumption of a toxic dose. The initial effects of consuming Zinc Phosphide are loss of appetite, which then escalates to convulsions, paralysis, and eventual death.

Featured Products

Wilco Zinc Phosphide Gopher Bait - Wilco Zinc Phosphide Gopher Bait is a restricted use pesticide (RUP) for use by licensed individuals only. It is a single-feed toxin used to control gophers and various other rodents. It can be applied to protect areas like vineyards, orchards, and groves.

ZP Tracking Powder - ZP Tracking Powder is a rodenticide that is regulated for indoor use, in areas where other methods of eliminating house mice have failed. This powder is ingested by the mouse, killing them with a single dose.