Scientists tested whether combining a rat poison called bromadiolone with everyday substances like aspirin, cinnamon, vitamin D, and an antibiotic could make it work better at lower doses. They studied 53 wild rats to see how this combination affected their liver, blood clotting, and cell damage. The research found that adding cinnamon and aspirin to the poison made it more effective at killing rats while using less poison overall. This could help reduce the amount of toxic chemicals released into the environment while still controlling rat populations that spread disease and damage crops.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether mixing a rat poison with common medicines and spices could make it work better and require smaller doses
  • Who participated: 53 wild rats were divided into different groups, with each group receiving different combinations of the poison and additives
  • Key finding: Adding cinnamon and aspirin to the rat poison made it significantly more effective at killing rats and caused more liver damage, suggesting these additives boost the poison’s power
  • What it means for you: This research could lead to more effective rodent control using lower doses of poison, potentially reducing environmental contamination. However, this is early-stage research in animals and doesn’t directly apply to human health or home pest control yet

The Research Details

Researchers divided 53 wild rats into different treatment groups. Some rats received the standard rat poison (bromadiolone) alone, while others received the poison combined with different additives: ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic), vitamin D, aspirin (a pain reliever), or cinnamon (a spice). The scientists then measured multiple effects on the rats’ bodies, including liver damage, blood clotting problems, oxidative stress (cellular damage from chemical reactions), and cell death patterns.

The researchers examined liver tissue under microscopes, measured blood clotting times, tested for DNA damage using a special technique called a comet assay, and looked for signs of programmed cell death (apoptosis). They also measured various enzymes and chemicals in the blood that indicate organ damage and stress.

Understanding how different substances work together helps scientists develop more efficient pest control methods. By finding combinations that work at lower doses, researchers can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals entering the environment while still controlling rat populations that carry diseases and cause agricultural damage. This approach also tests whether common, affordable substances can enhance effectiveness.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The research examined multiple biological systems (liver, blood, DNA, cell death) rather than just one outcome, providing a comprehensive picture. However, the sample size of 53 rats is relatively small, and results in animals don’t always translate directly to real-world pest control effectiveness. The study was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, which may differ from how rats behave in natural environments.

What the Results Show

The combination of bromadiolone with cinnamon and aspirin proved most effective at enhancing the poison’s killing power. Rats receiving these combinations showed significantly higher mortality rates compared to those receiving the poison alone. The additives appeared to work by increasing oxidative stress—essentially creating more cellular damage—and triggering apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death.

Liver damage was substantially worse in rats receiving the combination treatments, particularly with cinnamon and aspirin added. The researchers measured this through liver tissue examination and blood enzyme levels that indicate liver injury. Blood clotting times were also more severely affected in the combination groups, which is important because the poison works by disrupting blood clotting.

DNA damage, measured using the comet assay technique, was significantly increased in rats receiving the combination treatments. This suggests the additives enhance the poison’s ability to damage cells at the genetic level. The p53-p21-caspase pathway—a cellular mechanism that triggers programmed cell death—was more strongly activated in combination treatment groups.

Vitamin D and ciprofloxacin showed less dramatic enhancement effects compared to cinnamon and aspirin. The antibiotic ciprofloxacin produced some additional oxidative stress but was less potent than the other additives. Vitamin D showed moderate effects on some markers but was less consistent across different measurements. These findings suggest that not all additives are equally effective at boosting the poison’s power.

This research builds on existing knowledge about how vitamin K antagonists (the class of poisons that includes bromadiolone) work, and how other substances like NSAIDs (aspirin) and natural compounds (cinnamon) can trigger cell death. The study integrates multiple known mechanisms—blood clotting disruption, oxidative stress, and programmed cell death—into a single comprehensive approach. Previous research has shown that aspirin and cinnamon have biological activity, but combining them with rodenticides in this systematic way appears novel.

The study used only 53 rats, which is a relatively small sample size that may not capture all possible variations in response. All testing occurred in controlled laboratory conditions, which may not reflect how these combinations would work in real-world environments where rats have different diets, stress levels, and living conditions. The research was conducted over a specific timeframe that may not represent long-term effects. Additionally, the study focused on wild rats and may not apply equally to all rat species. The researchers did not test whether lower doses of the poison combined with additives would work as well as higher doses of poison alone, which would be important for practical application.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, cinnamon and aspirin appear promising as additives to enhance rodenticide effectiveness (moderate confidence level). However, this is early-stage research in animals. Before these combinations could be used in real pest control, further testing would be needed to confirm effectiveness in natural settings, determine optimal dosages, and ensure safety for non-target animals. Current recommendation: This research is interesting for scientists and pest control professionals to monitor, but it’s not ready for practical application yet.

Pest control professionals, agricultural scientists, and public health officials concerned with rodent-borne disease control should follow this research. Environmental scientists interested in reducing pesticide use should find this relevant. This research does NOT apply to home pest control decisions—people should continue using established, approved rodent control methods. This research has no direct application to human health or medicine.

This is fundamental research establishing proof-of-concept. Realistic timeline to practical application: 3-5 years of additional testing would be needed before any commercial products could be developed, tested for safety, and approved for use.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If using this research to inform pest control decisions, track: number of rodents controlled, amount of poison used, and environmental observations (non-target animal sightings, water quality if applicable) to monitor real-world effectiveness compared to standard methods
  • For pest control professionals: Document current rodenticide effectiveness and dosages used. Once products based on this research become available, compare effectiveness metrics between traditional and enhanced formulations to determine practical benefits
  • Establish baseline metrics for current pest control methods (mortality rates, dosage required, timeline to effectiveness). When new combination products become available, track the same metrics to objectively compare performance and environmental impact over 3-6 month periods

This research describes experimental rat poison combinations tested in laboratory animals and is not intended for human use or home pest control applications. Do not attempt to create or use these combinations yourself. If you have a rodent problem, consult licensed pest control professionals who use approved, regulated products. This research is preliminary and has not been tested in real-world conditions or approved for commercial use. Always follow local regulations and use only EPA-approved rodenticides. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional pest control advice.