Do non lethal rat traps work?

Rats can be a major nuisance, damaging property, spreading disease, and contaminating food supplies. Many people want to get rid of rats but don’t want to kill them. This has led to an increase in demand for humane, non-lethal rat traps that catch rats alive without harming them. But do these traps actually work? Here’s a look at the pros, cons, and effectiveness of live rat traps.

What are non-lethal rat traps?

Non-lethal rat traps are designed to capture rats alive without killing them. There are a few different types:

• Live catch cages – These cage traps have a trigger plate inside that causes a door to close behind the rat when it enters, trapping it alive inside the cage.
• Glue boards – Glue boards have a sticky adhesive surface that rats get stuck to when they walk across it.
• Electronic traps – Electronic traps use sensors to detect rat activity. When a rat trips the sensor, doors close to trap the rat inside.

Once the rat is trapped, the humane thing to do is release it outdoors far away from any human dwellings. Some people may choose to bring trapped rats to an animal shelter or wildlife rehabilitator.

Do they work to trap rats?

In general, non-lethal rat traps can be effective at trapping live rats if used properly. However, there are some caveats.

Live catch cages

Live catch cage traps are one of the most effective types of non-lethal rat traps. Their effectiveness depends on:

• Bait – Bait must be attractive to rats and securely placed inside the trap. Food bait like peanut butter, cheese, nuts, or pet food typically works best.
• Trap placement – The trap needs to be along the rat’s travel path in an area with signs of high activity.
• Avoiding trap shy rats – Rats may avoid new objects in their environment like traps. Using the trap for a while without setting it can help avoid trap shy rats.

With the proper bait and placement, live cage traps can be 80-90% effective at catching rats that enter them. However, some rats can be trap shy or clever enough to steal bait without triggering the trap.

Glue boards

Glue board traps also need to be properly placed and baited to be effective. However, rats may only get partially stuck on glue boards instead of fully trapped. And glue boards can be considered less humane, as trapped rats may suffer from stress and dehydration when stuck.

Electronic traps

Electronic traps can work well when rats pass through exactly where the sensor is tripped. But rats may often pass by without triggering them. Bait is still needed to lure the rats toward the sensor spot. So electronic traps are less foolproof than live cages.

Advantages of non-lethal rat traps

There are several advantages to using live catch rat traps instead of lethal snap traps or poison baits:

• They are more humane and animal friendly.
• There is no dead rat to dispose of.
• Non-target animals like pets are not at risk.
• You avoid bad odors or contamination from a dead rat.
• Can release young rats humanely to avoid orphaning them.

For those concerned about killing rats, non-lethal trap methods can satisfy their pest control needs in a more ethical way.

Disadvantages and limitations

However, there are also some drawbacks and limitations to be aware of with live rat traps:

• More expensive than lethal snap traps.
• Require being manually checked and emptied frequently.
• Some rats escape without getting fully trapped.
• Not guaranteed to catch every rat.
• Releasing rats outdoors can spread infestation to other areas.

While live traps work on some rats, they may not succeed in fully eliminating a sizable infestation. And rats are very adept at avoiding traps and baits once they become trap shy.

Tips for success with non-lethal rat traps

For best results with non-lethal rat traps, consider these tips:

• Use more than one trap in infested areas to improve success.
• Frequently re-bait traps with enticing and varied foods.
• Place traps along walls or routes rats use like near their nests.
• Use large cage style traps, at least 10″ x 12″. Small traps may be escaped.
• Handle trapped rats carefully using thick gloves to prevent bites.
• Release trapped rats several miles away in rural areas.
• Clean traps thoroughly to remove all odors between uses.
• Consider alternate control methods like sealing entry points if traps don’t succeed.

With smart trap placement, baiting, and checking, non-lethal rat traps can be a viable option for controlling rats humanely.

Should traps be used alone or with other methods?

Using live catch rat traps alone may not fully solve a serious rat problem. Trapping is most effective when combined with other methods like sanitation and rodent-proofing.

Traps alone only catch some of the rats. But rats are prolific breeders. If you don’t correct conditions attracting them and sealing their access, rats will continue multiplying and finding ways into your home.

Integrated pest management (IPM) involves multiple tactics such as:

• Trapping with non-lethal and lethal traps as needed.
• Fixing gaps in walls, floors, roofs that let rats enter.
• Cutting off rat access to food and water through sanitation and sealed trash cans.
• Rodent-proofing around the exterior property.
• Using deterrents like lighting, predator odors, noise.

Combining multiple methods including trapping, exclusion, and sanitation will be much more effective than relying on non-lethal traps alone.

What to do with rats caught in non-lethal traps

Once you’ve succeeded in trapping rats alive, you’ll need to figure out how to remove and relocate them safely.

Safely removing rats

Take precautions when opening traps and handling live rats:

• Wear thick gloves to avoid bites.
• Hold the trap firmly shut when transporting.
• Cover traps with a towel or blanket when removing.
• Avoid traps swinging open and releasing the rat.
• Have deterrent spray on hand in case a rat escapes.

Relocating rats

When relocating trapped rats:

• Keep rats in the trap while transporting.
• Release rats outdoors at least 5 miles from where trapped.
• Look for areas away from dwellings like parks or woods.
• Ensure rats have access to shelter and food sources.
• Never relocate rats to another person’s property without permission.

While relocating rats resolves the immediate issue, it’s best to try to rodent-proof property access points to prevent ongoing infestations.

Working with animal shelters

In some cases, local animal shelters may accept live rats caught in traps. Call to find out if the shelter near you provides assistance. Some considerations when working with shelters:

• Make sure to disclose if rats came from an infested home so they can quarantine.
• Animal shelters may only take domesticated rats like escaped pets.
• Wild rats they accept often end up euthanized due to lack of resources.
• There may be a fee for them to accept trapped rats.

Animal shelters can provide an alternative to releasing rats outdoors yourself. But there are many limitations based on shelter resources and policies.

Mice considerations

The use of live catch traps also applies to trapping mice alive. The same principles and methods work for both rats and mice.

Some differences to note with mice:

• Mice are smaller so can escape through larger cage spacing.
• Use traps designed for mice or smaller closure gaps.
• Peanut butter baits work extremely well for mice.
• Mice nest indoors so will enter traps readily.

When trapping mice, opt for escape-proof traps sized and designed specifically for mice for best success.

Key takeaways on live rat traps

Here are some key summary points on non-lethal rat traps:

• Live catch cage traps are the most effective and humane option.
• Proper baiting and placement is crucial for best trapping success.
• Combining trapping with exclusion, sanitation, and deterrents boosts control.
• Remove rats carefully and relocate far away from trapped location.
• Work with shelters cautiously due to policy limitations on accepting rats.
• Non-lethal traps are also useful for trapping mice alive.

While live trapping has disadvantages preventing total reliance on this method, non-lethal rat traps can be a key piece of an integrated rat control program for those who want an animal-friendly solution.

Comparison of Lethal and Non-Lethal Rat Traps

	Lethal Traps	Non-Lethal Traps
Cost	Cheap	More expensive
Care Required	Just throw away	Must remove and release live rats
Humane?	Quick kill, some consider inhumane	Traps rats alive without harm
Effectiveness	Highly effective, kills rats	May have escapes without population control
Disposal	Must handle dead rat carcass	No carcass, but live rat release required

Conclusion

Non-lethal trapping with live catch cages can be a viable component of a comprehensive humane rat control program. But the traps must be strategically placed and checked frequently to be effective.

While live trap methods take more effort and have some drawbacks, they allow capture and removal of rats without killing them. For those looking to avoid lethal methods for moral or practical reasons, non-lethal rat traps provide a workable alternative.

The keys to success are using proper cage trap types and sizes, fresh bait, optimal trap locations, and integrating trapping with preventative rat-proofing of the property. Combining multiple humane methods offers the best opportunity for reducing rat populations humanely and safely.