5 Keys to Rat-Trapping Success

For homeowners across the country, one of the most frustrating aspects of having a rat problem is how challenging it can be to effectively get rid of these rodents. We’ve heard from countless people who have struggled for weeks, months, or longer to get rid of rats using snap or glue traps, poison, and other techniques. But it seems that no matter how hard they try, and how many supplies they purchase, those pesky rodents keep returning.

In many cases, homeowners aren’t achieving rat-trapping success because they aren’t being strategic in their approach. They may be setting out a few snap traps with bits of cheese and assuming their problem will be solved in a matter of days. But the reality is, rats are cunning creatures, and they quickly learn to avoid most traps. To make matters worse, most traditional traps aren’t very effective at trapping rats.

However, with a bit of planning and strategic effort, you’ll be able to get rid of your rat problem for good. Here we count down the top five strategies for rat-trapping success:

1. Identify the type of rat you have. 

Did you know that there are more than 50 subspecies of rats? They vary in size and weight, requiring different types of traps. For example, most snap and glue traps are designed to catch only the smallest rats and mice, so they won’t do any good if you’re dealing with a larger rodent, such as a roof rat.

2. Choose the right bait.

Your choice of bait depends on the type of rat you have. Different subspecies of rats prefer vastly different types of food—and not all rats will eat cheese! You may have to try a variety of baits in order to find what works for you. Whatever bait you select, be sure it’s long-lasting. To avoid having to replenish your bait frequently, consider installing traps that use toxin-free lures, such as Goodnature Rat and Mouse Lure.

3. Place your trap strategically.

Again, rats are surprisingly smart. They’re not simply going to walk up to a trap that you drop in the middle of a room or yard. You have to place your trap strategically in an area they will travel through. This is another reason to identify the subspecies of rat you’re dealing with, because some like to travel near fence lines and other borders, and others prefer brush and tall grass. 

4. Have a bit of patience.

Recognize that regardless of your rat-trapping method, it will take a little time to eradicate the problem. Be patient. Rats are intelligent and highly suspicious, so trapping takes time. Refill your bait and reset your traps as needed. Or, if you find yourself spending too much time tending to your traps, get a trap that automatically resets.

5. Eliminate rats humanely.

While it is perfectly natural for you to want to eradicate rats from your property, you—like most people—probably don’t want to cause unnecessary harm or preventable suffering. Unfortunately, snap and glue traps frequently do just that, because they don’t provide a quick-kill  death. For this reason, quick-kill  rat traps are growing in popularity. More and more homeowners are looking for methods to eliminate rats that ensure a quick, reliable, humane death, so they can rest assured that the animals don’t suffer. One reliable solution is the Goodnature A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse Trap, which delivers an instantaneous, humane death using a CO2-powered shot that eliminates each rat before it even knows what hit it.

Although trapping rats can be a challenge, you can position yourself for success by having a little patience and by strategically using the best products for the job. For the most effective, hands-off option, consider installing traps that automatically reset and provide an instantaneous, humane kill. Before you know it, your home will once again be rodent-free.