Some active ingredients present in the paste (such as ethylene glycol and fluorine) may actually kill mice, but only if eaten enough. When a mouse consumes toothpaste a blockage occurs, and since mice cannot vomit the paste, that consumed substance cannot come out from any side.
Eating too much paste ends up leading to their fatality. But don’t count too much on it, most kinds of toothpaste have a peppermint taste and that alone is enough to deter any mice away.
If you are thinking of using toothpaste as a mice killer, this won’t be your best option out there.
If Toothpaste Is Poisonous to Mice, What About in Humans?
One of the toothpaste components is fluoride, this can cause serious trouble to any living being when consumed excessively. Swallowing it can cause stomach upset. Fluorite consumption only leads to serious toxicity in very large amounts.
Other than that it will be very unlikely to occur if only a small amount is ingested unintentionally.
Can You Have an Unintentional Toothpaste Overdose Just Like Mice?
Toothpaste is known to be widely used in teeth cleaning, other than that there are some household uses for toothpaste. Toothpaste should never be eaten, even if it tastes really good.
You could potentially get an intentional overdose from toothpaste, but nothing serious when comparing it to a close fatality.
Some kinds of toothpaste have 2 poisonous ingredients, which are:
- Sodium fluoride
- and triclosan
Symptoms of a Toothpaste Overdose
Swallowing a generous amount of regular toothpaste may lead to a possible intestinal blockage and a lot of stomach pain. Besides, there are some additional symptoms such as:
- Weakness
- Convulsions
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Tremors
- Drooling
- Shock
- Heart Attack
- Slow Heart Rate
- Salty or Soapy taste in the mouth
Other Household Items That Can Be Poisonous to Mice
1. Soda
Soda is probably the number one item used in a household, and you can find it pretty much anywhere. Pour the soda into a small bowl and place it in the area where you’ve noticed the mice activity. If the mice drink the soda, they will develop stomach complications that will lead to their death. Use this wisely.
2. Dry Cement
This powder is an excellent mice killer, if you can make an irresistible dry cement powder mixture for the mice to eat then it’s a sure win. Once the mixture is inside their body, it will give them thirst. Then the mice will drink water and the cement will dry out the mice’s body out.
Pro tip: To make the dry cement more irresistible to mice, mix it with a cup of flour and a tablespoon of salt. Other mixtures include a teaspoon of cocoa powder or Mashed Potatoes powder to replace dry cement.
3. Bay Leaves
These leaves are great against a mice infestation, and they can kill mice in the moments following ingestion. Mice can die while they ingest bay leaves because many times they choke on them, and also because they contain secondary metabolites.
4. Cloves
When you use cloves in muslin cloths and place them near mice holes or where you have mice activity, the smell of cloves will drive them nuts. Mice’s noses are very sensitive to several smells, and cloves are no exception. Do this and it will set them running.
5. Peppermint Oil
Mice really dislike the smell of peppermint oil, while humans find it refreshing mice find it repulsive. So, it is definitely a must on your list. Use the peppermint oil dipped in cotton balls and place them strategically near mice holes, or activity areas.
Did you know: Professional mice farmers use CO2 as a killing method for feeder frozen mice, this is one of the most humane ways to finish them.
6. Hot Pepper Flakes
While hot pepper flakes may only make us sneeze, they may really irritate a lot of mice. You can sprinkle hot peppers along with the areas where you know mice hang around and that will be enough to make them quit.
7. Onions
Placing onions here and there will also make mice go away, the pungent smell of onions is very effective against mice. Just make sure to replace every onion after 2 days, unfortunately, once you cut an onion, it will tend to rot, and warm environmental conditions tend to accelerate this process.
8. Garlic
Mice don’t really like garlic along with many other smells. You can really make a dent (literally) and ruin some mice’s day. You can use the garlic cloves spread across the mice activity area, or you may just chop garlic with water and sprinkle it around the place. After a few days, repeat the process for better results.
9. Potato Powder
Instant potato powder is also effective against mice, if you sprinkle the potato powder around, mice will feed on it. As the powder makes its effect on the mice’s body the flakes will swell inside the intestine and will kill them in no time.
Note: Some of these methods may lead to mice making a lot of noise when they are dying, always be prepared to finish them off whenever needed.
Conclusion
Despite toothpaste can be used to kill mice, there are far better alternatives out there. If you are having trouble with a mice infestation, you should always contact a professional exterminator. You can always try some commercial solutions, but if things are getting out of hand, don’t hesitate in getting some professional help.
