Do rats get gas and die from drinking beer?

[snopes]

This is probably an old wives' tale, but my wife, Joanna, was told years ago that putting a big flat aluminum tray full of beer (Budweiser was suggested) would attract and kill rats.

Here is where I get skeptical. Supposedly, rats can't burp so they die of a gas attack.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/garybogue/ci_10369088

[Troberg]

Rats can't vomit, I don't know about burping.

However, laboratory studies has shown that rats do drink alkohol, but they do not binge. As soon as they feel affected, they stop drinking, and it doesn't take much alcohol to affect such a small creature. My rats, which I of course don't give alcohol, happily drink sparkling water and they look very healthy.

If you have problems with pests of any kind, call the professionals. You can try various home remedies and not get rid of the problem, or you can bring in the professionals and have the problem solved.

The flap in their stomach (covers the esophogus) that prevents them from vomiting also prevents burping.

He (Gary) is correct, though, that it doesn't prevent it coming out the other end.

ETA a cite for the rat/vomit: http://www.ratbehavior.org/vomit.htm#RatStomachAnatomy

[dungeondragon18]

My friend has been feeding his pet rats beer and soda for years, and as far as I know none of them have died from it yet.

[Artemis]

Imagine if you fed them fizzy lifting drink!

[A Cat Named Easter]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Imagine if you fed them fizzy lifting drink!

They'd turn into Pigeons! Right?

When I was a child on Cape Cod, we told each other (I don't know who heard it first) that if you fed a Sea Gull Alka Seltzer it would fluff up and die. The idea being that they eat anything thrown at them and they can't burp or fart.

As far as I know, none of us ever tried it. Most likely because at 8 or 9, we couldn't get our hands on any Alka Seltzer tablets.

[Troberg]

When I was a child on Cape Cod, we told each other (I don't know who heard it first) that if you fed a Sea Gull Alka Seltzer it would fluff up and die. The idea being that they eat anything thrown at them and they can't burp or fart.

Well, they feed their chicks regurgitated food, so they most certainly can burp.

[ganzfeld]

Originally Posted by A Cat Named Easter

When I was a child on Cape Cod, we told each other (I don't know who heard it first) that if you fed a Sea Gull Alka Seltzer it would fluff up and die. The idea being that they eat anything thrown at them and they can't burp or fart.

That's mentioned on the ULRP:
http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/birdrice.asp
(False, of course.)

[SatansHobbit]

1st night: Leave out tray of VB.
2nd night: Leave out tray of Budweiser.

They simply want to die.

[Blatherskite]

Oh, great, now all I want to do is try and burp a rat.

[Brad from Georgia]

They don't die. It just smells that way.

OTOH, a small saucer of beer will kill slugs. They love the stuff, slurp it until they're inebriated, fall, and drown. It's interesting to go out and look at the saucer about three hours after you've put it out. They're not dead yet, just partying, and you'll get to see what a real slugfest looks like.