Methods for Rat Traps

The damage and health implications of a rat infestation in the home are major. The chewing of wires can cause a fire hazard and the rats carry a variety of diseases, so it is important to control these pests. Poison is a tried and tested control method, but it can lead to dead rats in places where the bodies cannot be reached for removal. The preferred method is trapping with one of the three main trap types.

  1. Snap Traps

    • The snap trap is one of the main and most successful rat control methods. Wooden traps are the classic version with a rectangle of wood fitted with a pressure-activated metal snap. The rat activates the snap and a thin bar of metal snaps across its neck or spine breaking it and bringing death almost instantly. It is a quick and humane way to kill the rodents with small traps that can be set almost anywhere.

    Cage Traps

    • Cage traps are a method used for people who do not want to kill the rats, but might want to relocate them away from their house. Like snap traps, they work on a pressure switch that, when activated, traps the rat within a cage. They usually have a door that drops or snaps closed when the rat activates the switch. Cage traps are larger and take up more room than snap traps and also are less versatile for placement. Once a rat is caught, it is necessary to take the animal several miles away to release it so that it does not return.

    Glue Traps

    • Glue traps are the middle ground between snap traps and cage traps. The rats can be caught live and released or be left to die and removed later. It is not a particularly humane trapping method and it can be unreliable. The rats run across the glue traps and get stuck to them. Sometimes the rats can actually pull free and escape leaving just tufts of fur or they will chew off their own legs to get away. If the plan is to release the rat, glue traps are more hands-on than cage traps and require applying vegetable oil to unstick the rat's feet.

    Baiting and Placement

    • Whatever type of trap is being used, the best placement areas are either near where the rats are getting in or along the walls of the problem room. Rats tend to follow the line of a wall as they travel, so they will encounter the traps as they move around. The bait needed can be just about anything edible, but something that creates a smell will help attract the rat. Peanut butter is one of the top options as bait because it is easy to apply, stays in place and gives an inviting smell.