Important: Safety Warning
This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page recommends pest-control substances such as arsenic compounds, strychnine, or cyanide — in some cases applied to food crops. These substances are lethal to humans and animals, and their use is now banned or strictly controlled.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Rat Poison
Recent experiments have shown that squills is an excellent poison for rats. The powder should be mixed with some fatty substance, and spread upon slices of bread. The pulp of onions is also good.
Rats are very fond of either. when it may be applied without inconvenience to the human species. In an atmosphere containing 21/0 of its volume, it has, according to Cloëz, a very rapid action on the animal organism, more rapidly, apparently, upon rats, rabbits, &c., than upon birds and frogs. Cloëz introduced 14 ounces bisulphide in a culvert, and found within 20 yards from the place some 40 dead rats. 1901. Το Exterminate Cockroaches.
Borax is one of the best of roach exterminators. There is something peculiar, either in the smell or touch of borax, which is certain death to them. They will flee in terror from it, and never appear again where it has once been placed. It has also the great advantage of being perfectly harmless to human beings; hence there is no danger from poisoning. The borax should be pulverized and sprinkled around the infested places. 1902. Το Kill Cockroaches and Croton Bugs. Boil 1 ounce poke-root in 1 pint water until the strength is extracted; mix the decoction with molasses and spread it in plates in the kitchen or other apartments which are infested by these insects. Paris green sprinkled around the apartments will also exterminate them; but should be used with caution, as it is very poisonous.