If you’ve successfully eliminated the rat problem in your home, you should safely dispose of the rat poison. Rodenticide can last for more than a year, even after being opened. However, it’s not a good idea to keep rat poison in your home as it can fall into the wrong hands. If your kids or pets get their hands on rat poison, it may end up hurting them.
In this post, we’re going to show you how you should get rid of mouse poison safely and quickly. You don’t have to throw it down the drain, bury it in the garden, or throw it away together with other trash. Since rat poison is dangerous, it should be disposed of carefully and safely. Continue reading to find out how.
Summary of Contents
Different Ways of Disposing of Rat Poison in 2022
Take it to a hazardous waste disposal area
Since rat poison qualifies as hazardous waste, it should be disposed of properly where it cannot endanger the lives of people, pets, animals, and the environment. Therefore, the best way to dispose of rat poison is by getting in touch with a hazardous waste disposal center. They will give you guidelines on how you should package the poison. Besides, they may tell you to drop it at a particular place or come for it at your home.
However, you will also need the right permit for hazardous waste. You will have to fill in a hazardous waste consignment note.
Recycle the rat poison
Another way of disposing of your rat poison is by recycling it. Get in touch with your local waste company about recycling availability. The company will direct you on how to package the unused rodenticide before it can be recycled. They will advise you on whether to drop the poison at their facility or pick it from your home and take it to a place where it will be recycled.
It’s vital to note that mouse poisons that are sold to consumers for use at home can be easily disposed of. You will have to put the rat poison in the regular big black bag waste. Unlike normal waste, the life-threatening rodenticide should be double-bagged before being disposed of.
Give it to neighbors
If your area has a widespread rat infestation, it would be wise to talk to your neighbors and see if anyone wants the poison. Some neighbors may be using ineffective rat elimination methods and in dire need of your rat poison. This will not only help you get rid of your rat poison, but it will also help to eliminate the rat problem in your area. You don’t want the rats coming back to your house after a few months of eliminating them.
Dispose of it in the trash
Unlike commercial rat poisons, rat poisons sold to households can be disposed of through trash. However, you will have to treat them differently from other regular household trash.
First and foremost, you will have to call a local trash company to guide how to dispose of the rodenticide. The company will inform you how the poison will be collected or how it can be disposed of safely.
As usual, you should separate the poison from other household trash. This helps contain the harmful effects of the poison the moment it’s picked up by the garbage company. Get the right container and put the poison inside. Next, seal it with a cap that fits tightly to ensure the rodenticide stays inside. Finally, place the container in a plastic bag to avoid any leakage during disposal. If possible, add another plastic bag for proper sealing.
Incinerate the rat poison
Even though this sounds bizarre, some states in the country allow the incineration of dangerous materials. And since rat poison is categorized as hazardous material, you can as well as incinerate it. Call your local waste company and find out about incineration services. Next, get a permit, and the local waste company will guide you on how to dispose of your rat poison.
Safety tips during rat poison disposal
Never dispose of the rat poison through the sink drain. This is because the chemicals will end up in the wrong places and hurt the environment and animals. Besides, the poison will kill most of the animals and other living organisms in your septic tank. Note that some organisms in such tanks are vital in the processing of waste.
- The poison may find its way into the river or groundwater and cause a lot of damage to the living organisms in the water. Using a rat trap or bait station would be ideal in that case.
- Always keep the poison in a safe area before you dispose of it. You should keep the poison away from kids and pets, as it can harm them if ingested.
- For your safety, put on disposable gloves that you will throw away after disposing of the poison. Besides, it would help if you also washed your hands after handling the rat poison. If possible, wear disposable clothes that you should get rid of after you’re done disposing of the dangerous rodenticide. Putting on safety gloves and disposable clothes helps remove any traces of poison you may have picked up during the disposal.
- Avoid disposing of rat poison in a landfill. This is because it will leech out and may get into your drinking water.
Bottom Line
Getting rid of rat poison isn’t a big problem. However, you should select the best method to avoid endangering other people, pets, animals, and the environment. You can decide to give the rat poison to your neighbor, dispose of it in the trash, incinerate it, recycle it, or even offer it to a waste disposal company.
Regardless of the disposal method that you choose, ensure that you put on protective clothing and safety gloves. Additionally, wash your hands when you’re done and sanitize the area where the rat poison was based.