Rats can be a major nuisance in homes, farms, gardens, and commercial buildings. They contaminate food, spread disease, and cause structural damage by gnawing and nesting. Trapping is an effective and economical way to control rat populations. Choosing the proper bait for rat traps is essential for achieving the best results. The bait must be irresistible to rats so they enter the trap. This article explores the most effective baits to use in traditional snap traps and live cages to catch rats.
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Why Catch Rats in Traps?
Trapping is a fast, convenient method of controlling rats compared to poisons. Poisons take days to kill the rats, leading to a slow decline of the population. The dying rats also crawl into hard to reach areas. Trapping removes the rats quickly. It avoids bad odors and the risk of rats dying in inaccessible places. Traps are also more targeted since baits can be chosen that appeal specifically to rats. Poisons may also affect non-target animals. Using traps enables you to monitor and measure the success of your rodent control efforts. Traps allow for disposal of rat carcasses, helping prevent spread of diseases.
Choosing the Right Bait
The bait used in rat traps should meet certain criteria to be effective:
- Highly attractive to rats
- Can be securely attached to the trap trigger
- Fresh and high quality
- Nutritious food rats crave
Selecting the right bait for the traps is key to successfully catching rats. It entices them onto the trap so it can trigger. If the wrong bait is used, the trap may not capture any rats.
Best Food Baits for Rat Traps
Foods make excellent baits for rat traps because they appeal to the rat’s sense of smell and taste. Here are top food baits to trap rats:
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a very popular and effective bait for trapping rats. Most rats seem to love peanut butter. It has a strong scent that draws rats to the trap. Peanut butter is easy to apply on the trap trigger and adheres well. It allows the trap to spring properly when the rat takes the bait. Peanut butter remains fresh for a long time, unlike some other foods.
Bacon
Bacon is a scent that few rats can resist. It is a fatty, greasy meat that rats crave. The strong smell grabs their attention. Lean meats don’t work as well. The fat content gives bacon its robust aroma. Bacon can be wrapped around the trap trigger or nailed down. For best results, use fresh, raw bacon.
Cheese
Cheese is another bait rats seem to love. Hard cheeses like cheddar and Swiss work better than soft cheeses. The scent is very enticing to rats. Cheese is convenient because small cubes can be impaled on the trigger. Secure it well so the rat has to tug and set off the trap. For best results, use pungent cheeses. Mild cheese may not attract rats as readily.
Candy
Rats have quite a sweet tooth. Candy, chocolate, and gumdrops make appealing bait. They love the sugars. Candy is convenient to use since small pieces can easily be tied down on the trap trigger. Chocolate candy bars are often effective bait. As with cheese, strongly scented candy works better than mild types.
Dog Food
Dry or canned dog food can be an effective bait for trapping rats. Rats are attracted to the meat and fish ingredients. The pet food has plenty of protein which rats need. Dry kibble can be tied down easily. Canned food must be securely wrapped on the trigger. For best success, choose pungent, fish-flavored foods.
Fruit
Rats relish fruits with strong scents like melon, berries, and bananas. The sugars are appealing. Fruit works best when fresh. Rotting fruit can deter rats. Whole fruits are difficult to attach to traps. Impaling cubes of fruit on triggers works better. For longevity, dried fruits make good baits.
Best Non-Food Baits
While food baits are excellent options, non-food baits can also entice rats. Here are top non-food baits:
Cotton Balls
Cotton makes a superb nest-building material for female rats. Cotton balls work great when rats are seeking material to line their nests. Use fresh cotton balls that don’t have chemicals added. Place a cotton ball on the trigger and the rat pulls at it and springs the trap.
Dental Floss
Rats love to use dental floss in building their nests. Unwrap a length of floss and thread it through the trap trigger. The rat tugs at it and triggers the trap. Mint-flavored floss may work even better since rats respond to mint odors.
Spark Plugs
The porcelain insulation covering spark plug wires is very attractive to rats. They love chewing and gnawing the insulation. Use a zip tie or wire to securely attach a piece of spark plug wire to the trap trigger. The rat chews at it and sets off the trap.
Ultrafine Steel Wool
Rats are fascinated by fine steel wool and use it to construct nests. 0, 00, and 000 grades work best. Twist wires securely around strands of steel wool on the trigger. Traps may capture several rats as they come to retrieve the steel wool.
Sardine Oil
The intense reek of sardine oil is irresistible to rats. Dip cotton balls, dental floss, or tissues into the oil. Place the scented item on the trigger plate. The overpowering fish scent draws the rat onto the trigger.
Bait Selection by Trap Type
Certain baits are better suited for specific trap designs.
Snap Traps
Standard snap traps allow baits to be tied down, impaled, or glued onto the trigger plate using peanut butter. Good baits include:
- Peanut butter
- Bacon
- Cheese
- Candies
- Dog food kibble
Live Cage Traps
Live traps require baits inside the trap to lure the rats in. Effective baits include:
- Meat scraps
- Mealworms
- Seeds/grains
- Fruits
- Nuts
Foods should be fresh and replaced daily. Place baits at rear of cage so rat enters fully.
Glue Traps
Glue board traps use baits outside the trap to lure rats onto the adhesive surface. Good baits for outside glue traps:
- Peanut butter
- Bacon grease
- Candies
- Canned cat/dog food
Spread baits around outer edges of glue trap but not on it.
Electronic Traps
Live bait placed inside electronic traps works best to activate the killing mechanism:
- Mealworms
- Dried fruit
- Unshelled nuts
- Seeds
Tips for Baiting Rat Traps
Follow these guidelines to bait rat traps effectively:
- Use fresh bait that is high quality to create intense aromas
- Choose baits suited for the specific type of trap
- Securely attach baits to snap trap triggers
- Replace baits daily on live catch and electronic traps
- Use numerous bait points to draw rats from all directions
- Persist using the bait if no rats are initially captured
- Change baits and trap locations if no rats after 3-4 days
- Consider using multiple bait types to target more rats
- Bait traps just before peak rat activity in late evenings
Most Successful Overall Baits
While many baits can capture rats, these tend to be most effective overall:
- Peanut butter – versatile, commonly loved by rats, stays fresh
- Bacon – strong aroma, high fat content that rats crave
- Candy – sweet scent attracts rats, easy to secure on traps
Combining two or more bait types can improve trapping success. Varying baits used at different locations also helps capture more rats. Persistence is key until all signs of rats are eliminated.
Conclusion
Trapping is an affordable, efficient means of controlling rat problems. But luring rats onto the traps requires using the right bait. Food baits like peanut butter, bacon, and cheese make excellent trap baits that appeal to rat’s food preferences. Non-food baits utilize instincts like nest building and gnawing behaviors. Match bait type to the specific trap design being used. Refresh perishable baits frequently. With the proper bait, any style of rat trap will be able to capture these troublesome rodents quickly. Follow the baiting tips outlined to achieve the best success trapping rats.