If you’re dealing with rats or mice and want a poison-free solution that won’t put your pets or kids at risk, RatX might be worth a look. This plant-based rodent bait uses food-grade ingredients to dehydrate and kill rodents without causing harm to people, pets, or predators that might eat the carcass.
While traditional rat poisons can be effective, they also carry serious risks — especially indoors. RatX gives homeowners a more humane, eco-friendly option with fewer safety concerns and less odor. A single bag of RatX costs around $25–$30 and can treat multiple problem areas in your home or yard. That’s far cheaper than hiring an exterminator, which can cost $150–$350 for a one-time visit or $500+ annually for recurring service.
RatX Pellets by EcoClear Products won’t work miracles — you still need to place it correctly and remove food sources to see real results. But when you use it right, it’s an effective DIY rodent control tool, especially for families who want to avoid harsh chemicals. In this review, I’ll break down how RatX works, how to apply it, and when it’s a smart alternative to calling in the pros.
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What Is RatX?
RatX is a ready-to-use rodent bait made from natural, food-grade ingredients. Unlike traditional poisons, it doesn’t use harsh chemicals to kill rats and mice. Instead, it takes advantage of rodent biology to cause dehydration — making it one of the safest options for households with pets, kids, or concerns about secondary poisoning.
I’ve used RatX on the job and around my own home. When placed correctly, it works — but the key is getting rodents to eat it. That means knowing where they travel, what competes with the bait, and how to monitor activity.
A single bag costs around $25–$30 and is often enough to treat multiple problem areas, making it a cost-effective DIY method compared to calling a pro, which typically costs:
- $150–$350 for a one-time visit
- $50–$75/month for recurring service
- $125–$500/year for annual contracts
If you’re comfortable doing a bit of setup and follow-through, RatX can save you time and money.
Properly employed, it is a great DIY solution for both mice and rats, saving you the expense of hiring a professional exterminator.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
How Does RatX Work?
RatX is designed to look and smell like food to rats and mice. Once they eat the pellets, the active ingredients — corn gluten meal and salt — block their thirst reflex. Without the urge to drink water, rodents die of dehydration within a few days.
Here’s why that matters:
- No toxic chemicals: It won’t harm pets, kids, or wildlife that might eat a poisoned rodent.
- Less odor: Since the rodents dry out (essentially mummify), there’s far less smell than with traditional poisons.
- Safe for indoor use: You can use it in attics, walls, crawlspaces, or basements without worrying about dangerous residues or lingering toxins.
That said, rodents must eat the bait for it to work — there’s no getting around that. If they ignore it, you won’t see results. That’s why placement and prep are everything.
Ingredients
RatX is made with two active ingredients: corn gluten meal and sodium chloride, also known as salt. Corn gluten meal is a byproduct of corn milling, commonly used in animal feed. It’s safe for most animals, but it affects rodents in a unique way. Combined with salt, this blend tricks rats and mice into stopping their water intake. The dehydration process begins from the inside out, eventually shutting down their organs.
Because the ingredients are food-grade and non-toxic, there’s no danger to people or most pets. It’s one of the few rodent control products that doesn’t rely on toxic compounds to get the job done.
How RatX Controls Rats and Mice
After rats or mice discover the pellets, they’ll usually return for a few more feedings before consuming a lethal dose. That’s why it’s important to continue placing bait in active areas until you see no signs of rodent traffic. Depending on how much they consume and how quickly, it typically takes about three to five days for the rodents to die.
One thing to keep in mind: you’ll be the one handling cleanup, unlike professional pest control. If the rodents die indoors, you’ll need to find and remove the bodies. That’s a downside of DIY control that’s easy to overlook but very real if you’re squeamish or dealing with hard-to-reach spaces.
What About the Dead Rodent Smell?
One of the worst parts of traditional poison is the smell. A rat that dies in a wall, crawlspace, or ceiling can stink up the entire house for weeks. RatX gets around this problem in a smart way. Because the rodents dehydrate after consuming the bait, their bodies dry out instead of rotting. That cuts down on the decay process and significantly reduces the odor — in many cases, it’s barely noticeable at all.
It’s not a magic solution. You can still end up with a smell, especially in warmer months or tight spaces. But compared to the stench of a poisoned, bloated rat, the difference is night and day.
Is RatX Safe To Use Around Children/Pets?
RatX is one of the safest rodent control products you can use in a home with pets or children. Since there are no toxic chemicals in the formula, there’s no risk of accidental poisoning if a dog, cat, or child finds a pellet on the floor. The ingredients target a specific biological function that only affects rats and mice, so it won’t harm other animals — even if they eat a rodent that’s already ingested the bait.
That said, it’s still smart to be cautious. Store unused bait in a sealed container and keep your placements out of reach whenever possible. And if you have pet rodents like rats, hamsters, or guinea pigs, don’t use RatX anywhere they might be able to access. It’ll work on them just like it does on wild pests.
This site receives compensation from the companies featured in this listing, which may impact where and how products appear. This listing doesn’t feature all companies, products, or offers that may be available.
How To Apply RatX
The most important factor in using RatX effectively is placing it where rodents are already active. That means watching for droppings, chewed materials, and runways — those narrow paths rats and mice create along walls and behind furniture. Once you’ve identified high-traffic zones, scoop the pellets into small plastic bags or containers and set them directly in those areas. For rats, use about one and a half to two ounces of pellets per location. For mice, about a third of an ounce is enough.
Keep in mind that RatX stops working if it gets wet. Using plastic bags or bait stations can help protect it from moisture while still allowing rodents to chew through the packaging. Refill the bait as long as you see signs of activity, and don’t stop until the bait stops disappearing. If the rodents don’t eat enough, they won’t get a lethal dose.
What Customers Say About RatX
Homeowners who’ve used RatX tend to fall into two camps — those who followed the directions and got results, and those who didn’t see much change. Among satisfied users, the biggest praise goes to how pet-safe and stink-free the product is.
One customer wrote, “Finally a product that is safe around my pets. Great result.” Another added, “No foul odor in my basement. The dead bodies were dried out.” That reduced smell comes up often in positive reviews, especially for folks using RatX indoors.
Plenty of people also reported success when the bait was placed correctly and kept dry. “After 2–3 days I saw dead rodents. I was impressed. Will reorder ASAP!” said one reviewer. Another user echoed that with, “After 7 days, they were gone. Patience is key.”
On the flip side, some reviewers said the rodents ignored the pellets unless they were mixed with something tastier. One buyer noted, “They licked the peanut butter off and left the pellets behind.” Another got better results after tweaking the bait: “I mixed it with bacon grease, then they finally ate it.”
There were also a few cases where rodents ate the bait but didn’t die — possibly due to insufficient dosage or competing food. As one frustrated reviewer put it, “Fed over 10 lbs of this to rats… now I have more than before.”
Overall, when used as directed and in the right environment, RatX earns high marks. But like any bait, it’s not foolproof — and your results will depend heavily on how you prep, place, and monitor the product.
Final Thoughts
RatX is a solid alternative to traditional poisons, especially if safety and peace of mind are your top concerns. It won’t harm pets, kids, or scavengers, and it significantly cuts down on the smell problem you’d normally get with dead rodents indoors. For small to moderate infestations, it’s a cost-effective DIY solution that’s easy to use if you’re willing to put in a bit of effort.
But like any rodent control method, success depends on how you use it. Poor placement, moisture exposure, or accessible food can all reduce effectiveness. And for serious infestations or hard-to-reach areas, you may still need to call a pro.
If you’re looking for a pet-safe, non-toxic way to handle a few rats or mice on your property, RatX is absolutely worth trying. Just go in with realistic expectations — and a plan to follow through.
FAQs About RatX
The key to using RatX effectively is placement. Rodents won’t go out of their way to find bait — you need to put it right in their path. That means placing small bags of pellets (1.5–2 oz for rats, 1/3 oz for mice) along walls, near droppings, in attics, crawlspaces, or directly into burrows. Use plastic sandwich bags to keep the pellets dry — the rodents will chew right through.
Keep replacing the bait daily until the pellets stop disappearing and signs of rodent activity (droppings, scratching, nests) are gone.
Yes — that’s one of its biggest selling points. RatX is made with ingredients that are safe for people, cats, dogs, and even birds of prey. It targets a unique biological feature in rodents, so other animals aren’t affected. That said, don’t leave it out like a snack. Always place bait out of reach, especially from curious pets or toddlers.
If you own pet rodents like hamsters, guinea pigs, or rats, keep RatX far away — it’ll harm them just like it does wild rodents.
In ideal conditions, you’ll start seeing results in 3–5 days. But timing depends on how many rodents you’re dealing with and whether they’re actually eating the bait. If the bait sits untouched or you still hear activity after a week, recheck your placement or try mixing the pellets with an attractant like peanut butter or bacon grease.
Rodent control takes patience. Keep checking and reapplying bait until the problem stops.
Yes — RatX works on most common household species, including roof rats, Norway rats, and house mice. However, like any bait product, it only works if the rodents actually eat it. Some users report better results when mixing it with attractants. Also, if you’re dealing with a large or stubborn infestation, it may not be enough on its own.
For bigger jobs, consider pairing it with snap traps or calling in a professional.
Once the bait’s done its job and rodent activity has stopped, it’s time to seal up your home. Patch holes, cover vents, install door sweeps — anything to block re-entry. Then:
- Clean up droppings and nests using gloves and a disinfectant spray.
- Remove any uneaten bait.
- Store food in sealed containers and clean up crumbs regularly.
Rodents are persistent, so prevention is just as important as removal.
