10 Best Baits to Trap Rats

Having rats in your home can be a significant problem for several reasons.

Once rats start breeding, their rate of reproduction is very high. Just a few rats can produce thousands of offspring in a year. So, if you do nothing, the problem will spiral out of control at an alarming rate.

It is nearly impossible to co-exist with rats because they spread disease and are incredibly destructive. They eat through wiring and chew through anything in your pantry. As they are destroying your home, they urinate and defecate on everything spreading diseases.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), rats carry more than ten infectious diseases, including Salmonellosis, Rat-Bite Fever, Hemorrhagic Fever, and Plaque. So, as you can see, getting rid of a rat problem is a top priority.

Eradicating the problem is not easy, though. If you plan on trapping them, you may be wondering, what is the best bait for a rat trap? You need to know what to use to get the job done effectively. So, keep reading to find out what to bait a rat trap with.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is one of the most effective forms of rat trap bait you can use. The smell is strong and extremely appealing to rodents. Plus, using peanut butter to bait a trap is easy because it is sticky.

The only downside to peanut butter is the risk that it will clog and damage the mechanism of the trap. So, when using it, make sure you keep it on the part of the trap meant for the bait.

Pet Food

Pet food is another good alternative, and pet food attracts rats in the first place. The only tricky part is sticking the pet food to the trap. So, you can use a dab of peanut butter or honey to secure it to the trap.

Glue Rat Bait Trap

Glue traps are highly effective. The glue attracts the rats, and they become stuck to the glue. However, glue traps are messy, and some rats are strong enough to break free.

Cheese

Surely, you have heard how much rats love cheese. Processed sliced cheese is the easiest because you can ball it up and stick it to the trap. Other cheeses may work also, but there is a chance they will fall off the trap or that the rat will grab them and escape.

Fresh Fruits

Fresh fruits might work. Although rats will eat almost anything, they prefer sugary foods, fruits, some vegetables, and starches. So, when using fresh fruit, it is best to pick something like bananas.

Nuts

Nuts are another favorite of rats. However, like some of the other baits on the list, they are difficult to attach to the trap. So, you will need to use something else to affix the nuts to the trap. Anything sticky should do the trick.

Chocolate

Chocolate, especially with nuts and perhaps caramel, is another excellent option. Think along the lines of a Snickers bar or a turtle. Either of these are easy to keep in place.

Cereal

If you have a rat infestation, they are likely invading your pantry, and they are known to favor cereal. Giving them what they like is always the right solution. However, like the other “loose” options listed, it is necessary to place the cereal carefully, so it does not fall off the trap.

Store-Bought Bait

Several companies make rat bait explicitly made to attract rats. You can easily find them in a hardware store or even the grocery store. Some include a poison, and others do not. The poison containing variety might be useful when using it with the bait because if the trap does not get the job done, the poison should.

Bread

Bread is another easy to use bait you likely have in your pantry. Ball it up and attach it to the trap. It is also practical because rats like starchy foods, and they are usually comfortable going for foods they have been eating in your home.

How to Bait a Rat Trap

Rats are smart animals. They can learn from their own and others experiences. So, if they have ever had an encounter with a trap, they are apprehensive. Additionally, they are agile and careful until they feel comfortable. They will not just grab food. So you will need to:

• Make sure traps are functioning properly
• Make the rat comfortable
• Try different bates

To ensure traps are working properly, test them first to ensure the snapping mechanism is quick. Rusty traps are not effective because they are slow to close. Due to the moving hinges, you also need to make sure they are well lubricated. However, you need to be careful about what type of lubrication you use. Some lubricants will repel the rodent. So, it is best to use food oils like vegetable oil or coconut oil.

Additionally, rats might not feel comfortable taking the bate the first time you set a trap out. They are agile and lightfooted, which helps them avoid capture. So, when you first set the traps out, bait them with food, but do not set the traps. Allow the rat to get comfortable. If they are confident that the food source is safe, they will keep coming back, but be less guarded. Wait two to three days. Then, set the trap using the same bait you have been using.

If you are catching the rats and then notice that the traps have become uneffective, try changing the bait and the traps you are using. Use measures to conceal the trap. For example, hide the trap within a box. Make the rat feel comfortable eating in the box by giving it a few days to get used to the food source. Then, set the trap inside.

Risks Involved with Baiting Rats

Given the vast number of diseases rats spread, there is always risk involved when you are trapping them. However, leaving them to breed in your home and living with them is equally, if not more dangerous. Rat excrements are almost always infectious.

Bites from rats are relatively common. As many as 15,000 rat bites are reported every year in the United States, and it is always recommended to seek medical attention when you suffer a rat bite.

Staying Safe

Always use thick protective gloves when you are disposing of a trapped rat and take caution to avoid bites. Additionally, always make sure you wear gloves when handling anything the rats may have come into contact with and sanitize surfaces. Professionals recommend throwing away anything the rats have burrowed in or soiled. Always wash your hands thoroughly after touching anything that may have come into contact with a rodent.

Final Thoughts

Your safety and the safety of your family is extremely important, and baiting rats might not always be the best solution to rid your home of an infestation quickly. Furthermore, if you do not handle bait and traps correctly, they may do more harm than good. So, it is always a good idea to call a professional exterminator that has experience working with rodent infestations rather than going at it alone.