Why Rats Become Immune To Poison

Did you know that rats become immune to poison over time? This is one of the many reasons why eliminating these common invading rodent pests is so difficult. But why does this happen and what can we do about it?

Has their DNA mutated?

The reason why this happens is simply because of genetics and evolution. Like most species, rats are constantly evolving. What this means is that some rats die from poison and others manage to survive. Then these rats become immune to poison. Even worse, they then pass this immunity on to their offspring. In fact, some scientists now estimated that about 75% of UK rats are immune to poisons.

What you also have to understand is that they don’t develop this immunity because their DNA has mutated. The time frame is too short for that. Instead, they develop a natural genetic mutation which guards them against poisons.

You can almost compare this to people who get COVID-19. People who survive gain naturally immunity and are less likely to get the virus again. Rats are super adaptable animals and their forebears have lived through the extinction of the dinosaurs. They’re not about to be got rid of by a few poisons.

This is why pest controllers are forced to evolve as well. Stronger rodenticides are constantly being developed. We also need to use larger amounts of poison. It’s almost as if we’re in an arms race against the rats. This is also why rats have become such an endemic problem in Britain. Over the centuries they have evolved to the point where rats are almost completely immune to common rodenticides.

Dangers of DIY methods for rat control

Another reason why rats become immune to poison is because of DIY rat measures which are not effective rodent control methods. You see, most people, when they have rats, will purchase store bought rat pellets. Because these poisons are meant for home use, they are extremely weak. The rats eat that these pellets are able to survive with very little effort. They then gain an immunity, and this makes them far harder to kill. Not only that, these rats continue to breed and the next generation is even more difficult to destroy.

But this is also why you should avoid DIY methods. A professional can always do a better job. We understand why rats become immune to poison. We also know how to prevent this from happening. Our technicians use a dosage of poison which kills rats the first time. With our professional grade rodenticides, the rats do not survive which takes the risk away from your business or home. They do not mutate into “super rats” and the problem is taken care of efficiently and effortlessly.