something to kill rats / something for killing rats

[optimistic pessimist]

Hi all,

When you go to a store to buy some kind of pesticide and aren't sure what item to buy, which is the better way to ask?

1. I'd like something to kill rats.

2. I'd like something for killing rats.

To do or for doing, that's the question for me.

OP

 

[jutfrank]

My advice is contrary to the advice in post #2.

I would teach you to use for killing. The general idea is that for + -ing is ideally used to talk about something that has been made or designed for a specific purpose. This is in contrast to infinitives of purpose.

 

[Skrej]

I think either works equally well, although neither will necessarily guarantee you'll end up with a chemical recommendation. You might end up being offered something mechanical (i.e. a trap).

If you specifically want rodenticide, then as Piscean suggested, ask for 'rat poison' or even 'rat bait'.

'Pesticide' is an umbrella term encompassing such things as insects, rodents, invertebrates, fungi, bacteria and others. If you asked me for a pesticide, I'd be thinking about bugs, but that's because I tend to use it as a synonym for 'insecticide'.