What should you put in a rat trap? - briefly
Effective bait consists of high‑fat foods such as peanut butter, small pieces of bacon, or dried fruit placed on the trap’s trigger. Avoid toxic poisons unless local regulations expressly allow them, to prevent secondary poisoning.
What should you put in a rat trap? - in detail
Effective bait selection determines a trap’s success. Choose items that appeal to the target’s diet, are aromatic, and remain attractive over time. Fresh, high‑fat foods such as peanut butter, bacon, or cooked meat provide strong scent and texture that rats cannot resist. Nuts, seeds, and dried fruit also work well; they are easy to attach to the trigger mechanism and retain potency for several days. Strong‑smelling cheese, especially aged varieties, can be effective when combined with a small amount of grease to prevent drying. For environments where food sources are scarce, synthetic pheromone lures or commercial rodent attractants enhance detection by mimicking conspecific signals.
When using a live‑capture device, place a single piece of bait in the center of the trap’s interior, ensuring the animal must enter fully to reach it. In snap traps, apply a pea‑sized dab of peanut butter directly onto the trigger pedal, spreading it thinly to avoid premature release. Avoid over‑loading with large food chunks that could trigger the mechanism without a full entry.
Consider the following guidelines:
- Use fresh bait; replace it every 24‑48 hours to maintain odor strength.
- Secure bait to the trigger with a thin wire or toothpick to prevent the rat from removing it without activating the trap.
- Position traps along walls, behind appliances, or near known gnawing sites, with the trigger facing the wall.
- Wear disposable gloves when handling bait to eliminate human scent that may deter rodents.
- Keep traps out of reach of non‑target animals and children; label the area if necessary.
- Dispose of captured rodents promptly, following local regulations, and sanitize the trap before reuse.
In situations where rats have become bait‑averse, rotate between protein‑rich items (e.g., boiled egg) and carbohydrate sources (e.g., cereal) to maintain novelty. Adding a small amount of vegetable oil to the bait can increase adherence and prolong the scent trail. By matching bait type to the infestation’s feeding habits and maintaining proper trap hygiene, capture rates improve significantly.