Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.
These rat traps will effectively eliminate the pesky rodents.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Rats may type your home to find food or shelter, saysDr.
Matt Frye, senior extension associate for the New York State Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University.
Additionally, rats arent just unsettling house gueststhey can pose quite a few problems for homeowners.
Credit: Amazon
Rats will gnaw to expand openings and to probe objects in their environment, Dr. Frye says.
Traps that are efficient at killing rodents are considered humane, Dr. Frye explains.
Smaller angles mean less momentum, although this can be offset by adding stronger springs.
Credit: Amazon
Wooden snap-back traps arent covered, so the rat may be more likely to take the bait.
Additionally, snap-back traps tend to be more affordable.
Electric:Instead of a spring-loaded mechanism, electric traps usea high level of voltageto instantly kill rats.
This trap doesnt have a cover to conceal the body of the rat.
Wooden traps are more likely to hold smells than plastic ones.
The plate is also wide so its easier for rats to activate the trap.
Credit: Amazon
Its intended for indoor use only, and it needs four C batteries to operate.
For those who prefer an electric rat trap, we love theOwltra OW-1 Indoor Electric Rat Trap.
The same indicator will display a red light when the batteries are low and need to be changed.
Because of its durable plastic and stainless steel design, this trap can be used indoors or outdoors.
After use, the trap can either be disposed of or cleaned and used again.
It has more of a T-shape, so part of the trap jets out from the tunnels.
Material
Most rat traps are either made out of wood or plastic.
Plastic trapsare easier to clean if they are stored between uses, Dr. Frye says.
Your Questions, Answered
Is bait included with rat traps?
Depending on what rat trap you purchase, bait may or may not be included.
TheVictor M205-6 Easy Set Rat Trapis pre-baited, but others, like theTomcat Rat Snap Trap, are not.
The best bait is to use the food item that the rats are currently eating.
If that doesnt work, Dr. Frye suggests switching to a bait that would complement their food intake.
However, Dr. Frye explains that a method called pre-baiting is more important than figuring out the bait.
To overcome this fear, you have to train the rat to recognize the unit as something safe.
This is done by providing lots of bait on the trap without setting the equipment.
Can you use mouse traps to trap rats?
Mouse trapswon’t be as effectiveon rats because of their size differences.
Additionally, household mice are typically 3 or 4 inches in length whilerats can be over a foot long.
What are the best rat traps to use?
The best rat traps to use are ones that are efficient and easy to set and use.
The easy-set andclam-style trapsare often the preferred devices for homeowners, Dr. Frye says.
However, electric rat traps are also easy to use, although they are typically more expensive.
If you use traps and your rat problems continue, consider callinga pest control companyto professionally eliminate the rodents.
Where can you buy rat traps?
you’ve got the option to find rat traps at popular retailers such asAmazonandWalmart.
She specializes in topics such as gardening tools, pest control, linens, and small appliances.
For this article, she interviewedDr.
Matt Frye, senior extension associate for the New York State Integrated Pest Management program at Cornell University.
Controlling Wild Rodent Infestations.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
April 8, 2024.
