Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Red squill is a substance derived from the bulbs of a lilylike subtropical plant. It is commonly used as a rodenticide to kill rats and mice. Red squill works by preventing normal blood clotting, leading to internal hemorrhaging in rodents.12

Unlike many other rodenticides, red squill is less toxic to animals other than rodents because it induces vomiting, a reflex that rodents lack. This makes it a slower-acting poison, but its emetic properties offer a degree of safety for non-target species.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. rodenticide
  2. red squill

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.