Can Rats be Immune to Store-bought Pesticides

Can Rats be Immune to Store-bought Pesticides?

You may have heard about how bed bugs develop immunities against pesticides. As if the tough little critters didn’t give us enough trouble already. So, what about rats? Choosing the right product to tackle a rat problem can be tough. How do you know if it will work? The pesticide market is always changing to keep up with rat evolution and the resistance they develop. The best thing you can do is get the help of a professional. Call a rat exterminator Toronto for help!

The most common species of rat in North America is the brown rat, also known as the Norway rat. This rat grows up to about 30cm in length and has a long, hairless tail. Brown rats have shaggy brown or grey fur coats, beady black eyes, and rounded snouts that protrude from their faces. They reach sexual maturity at only 10 weeks of age. Within a year, a single female rat can have as many as 7 litters of 4 to 22 babies each. This lightning-fast reproductive cycle allows for quick evolution. Within only a few generations, rats can develop resistances and immunities to certain pesticides.

Rats can, in fact, become resistant to pesticides. Warfarin, for instance, was widely used for decades until rats became resistant to it. While many rats perished from the treatments that used Warfarin, some survived because they had a gene that would protect them from the rat poison Ontario effects. Those rats reproduced and their descendants today are resistant to Warfarin, rendering it ineffective. Some research also shows that rats that have ingested some rodenticide, but not enough to eliminate themselves, develop immunities against the rodenticides used. This resistance is due to a change in the animal’s DNA, which they can then pass on to their children.

The resistances and immunities that rats can develop over time thus require constant research and the development of new rodenticides. Only professionals will have access to the latest and most effective rodenticides. Note that the products available in stores are weak enough for anyone to use. Because our bodies function in nearly the same way, rodenticides have the ability to harm people and their pets – they should be used with caution and sold carefully to reduce the risk of anyone getting hurt. Pest removal technicians are trained and licensed in pest removal; they know how to use rodenticides safely and in the most effective way possible.

If you’re interested in getting rid of some rats on your property, consider getting the help of a professional. A licensed pest removal technician will have the latest and most effective commercial-grade rodenticides. He or she will know which product would work best for your situation and in which places the product will be safest and most efficient. Call The Exterminators (647-496-2211) today for rodent removal and pest-proofing. We send rats packing!

GET A FREE QUOTE