How do you catch rats? - briefly
Place snap or live‑capture traps along walls, baited with peanut butter, meat, or dried fruit, and inspect them daily. Seal entry points and keep food sources inaccessible to prevent reinfestation.
How do you catch rats? - in detail
Effective rodent capture requires preparation, appropriate tools, and adherence to safety protocols. Begin by identifying activity areas: look for droppings, gnaw marks, and nesting material along walls, behind appliances, and in concealed corners. Once hotspots are mapped, choose a trapping strategy that matches the infestation level and environment.
Equipment selection
- Snap traps: steel jaws, quick‑kill mechanism, suitable for indoor use.
- Live‑catch cages: wire mesh with bait compartment, allows relocation.
- Glue boards: adhesive surface, best for monitoring rather than primary control.
- Electronic traps: high‑voltage shock, reusable, minimal mess.
- Bait: peanut butter, dried fruit, or commercial rodent attractant; apply sparingly to avoid spillage.
Placement guidelines
- Position traps perpendicular to walls, with the trigger side facing the passage.
- Set traps along established runways, typically within 2 ft of walls.
- Use multiple devices in a line, spacing them 6–12 in apart for dense populations.
- Avoid placing traps in high‑traffic human areas to reduce accidental activation.
Baiting technique
- Apply a pea‑size amount of attractant directly to the trigger plate.
- Secure bait with a small piece of cloth or tape to prevent removal without triggering.
- Rotate bait types weekly to maintain interest.
Safety and sanitation
- Wear disposable gloves when handling traps and disposing of captured specimens.
- Seal dead rodents in a plastic bag, label, and discard according to local regulations.
- Clean trap surfaces with a bleach solution to eliminate disease agents.
- Ventilate the area after removal to reduce odor buildup.
Post‑capture actions
- Inspect all entry points; seal gaps larger than ¼ in with steel wool, caulk, or metal flashing.
- Reduce available food sources by storing waste in sealed containers and cleaning spills promptly.
- Maintain a regular monitoring schedule, resetting traps for at least two weeks after the last capture to ensure eradication.
By following these steps—accurate detection, strategic trap deployment, proper baiting, and thorough sanitation—rat populations can be effectively reduced and eliminated.