How can you catch a rat in the house using a homemade method? - briefly
Use a bucket trap: place a sturdy bowl or bucket on its side, lay a wooden plank as a ramp leading to the rim, and attach a piece of cheese or peanut butter at the far end; when the rodent climbs, it falls into the container and cannot escape. Check the trap frequently and release the captured rat far from the home or dispose of it according to local regulations.
How can you catch a rat in the house using a homemade method? - in detail
A practical, do‑it‑yourself approach to capturing a rodent inside a dwelling relies on simple materials, strategic placement, and humane disposal.
Begin by gathering a 5‑gal plastic bucket, a wooden dowel or sturdy stick, a piece of raw chicken or peanut butter‑coated cheese, a length of strong string, and a small piece of cardboard or thin plywood.
- Construct the trigger – Drill a hole near the bucket’s rim, thread the string through, and attach the dowel so it spans the opening, forming a seesaw.
- Bait the device – Secure the food item on the opposite side of the seesaw, ensuring the rat must step onto the plank to reach it.
- Set the mechanism – Tension the string so the dowel rests on the bucket edge; when the rodent steps on the baited side, its weight tilts the plank, releasing the dowel and dropping the animal into the container.
- Position the trap – Place it along walls, near known droppings, or close to entry points, as rats travel close to surfaces.
- Monitor and act – Check the bucket at least twice daily. When capture occurs, cover the opening with a lid, transport the bucket outdoors, and release the animal at least 100 meters from the residence, or, if local regulations require, euthanize according to humane guidelines.
Additional considerations:
- Seal any gaps larger than ¼ inch to prevent re‑entry.
- Keep food storage airtight and waste bins sealed.
- Wear gloves when handling the trap to avoid disease transmission.
This method uses readily available items, requires no specialized equipment, and provides an effective, low‑cost solution for indoor rodent control.