How to catch gray rats? - briefly
Set snap traps or live‑catch cages along walls and near burrows, baited with peanut butter, dried fruit, or meat, and inspect them daily to remove captured rodents promptly.
How to catch gray rats? - in detail
Capturing gray rodents requires systematic assessment, targeted trapping, and strict hygiene.
Initial assessment involves locating activity signs such as droppings, gnaw marks, and burrow entrances. Eliminating food sources, sealing entry points, and removing clutter reduce attraction and provide a controlled environment for trapping.
Trapping options include:
- Snap devices that deliver rapid lethal force.
- Live-capture cages equipped with a trigger mechanism.
- Adhesive boards that immobilize upon contact.
- Electronic units that emit an electric pulse when the animal contacts the plate.
Bait selection influences success. Effective attractants consist of high‑fat substances (peanut butter, rendered animal fat) and sweet items (dried fruit, chocolate). Combining a small amount of protein (cooked meat) with a sweet component enhances appeal.
Placement strategy focuses on established pathways. Position traps along walls, near concealed openings, and within 30 cm of observed runways. Align triggers perpendicular to the wall to ensure the rodent contacts the mechanism while navigating the edge.
Monitoring requires daily inspection of traps, immediate removal of captured specimens, and prompt resetting. Dispose of deceased rodents in sealed containers, then disinfect traps with a bleach solution (1 % sodium hypochlorite) before reuse.
Safety measures include wearing thick gloves, using protective eyewear when handling snap devices, and keeping traps out of reach of children and non‑target wildlife. Proper ventilation is essential when applying chemical disinfectants.
Consistent application of these steps maximizes capture rates while minimizing risk to humans and non‑target species.