Best Rat Traps

Best Rat Traps

Perhaps nothing conjures more angst and disgust than rats. Your fears are well-founded. These rodents carry over 40 diseases including the infamous bubonic plague that claimed 75 million lives across the globe from the 13th through 18th centuries.

It’s imperative for you to act quickly if you discover an infestation. They are prolific breeders, producing up to 22 babies per litter. We’re here to help with our round-up of the top six best rat traps of 2018 review. We’ve chosen our picks among the various types that we have summarized below. Read on to learn more.

BEST HUMANE

Trapro Humane Rat Trap Cage

Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Trapro Humane Rat Trap Cage makes the best of an admittedly unpleasant task. It is a decent size for capturing any rodent living in your home from mice to rats to weasels. The product is well-designed with a hair trigger to avoid escapes. You can also tweak its sensitivity.

You have several purchase options including large and dual-door. It is durable with galvanized steel to prevent rust. It is virtually maintenance-free because of the mesh floor and sides. It’s affordable, especially when compared to the cost of an exterminator.

BEST COST-EFFECTIVE

Harris Humane Mouse Trap, Catch & Release

Last update on 2023-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Harris Humane Mouse Trap, Catch & Release also takes a more kind-hearted approach to handle a rodent problem. If you have cats, using poisons are not an option. This product gives you a better choice. It works on the same principle as the previous one with a different approach. Instead of mesh, the trap is plastic.

That makes it escape-proof yet transparent to check it quickly. The shape is an excellent choice because it replicates the tunnels and burrows that rodents likely use already. That design contributes to its effectiveness. It helps that it’s inexpensive too.

BEST GLUE TRAP

Tillain Rat Glue Traps

Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Tillain Rat Glue Traps are a great choice for your rat problem. They are easy to use and set up, super sticky, and have a foldable design that works for any location. They are peanut butter scented to attract rats to the trap. The traps are also eco-friendly and made without chemicals or toxic compounds making them safe to use around your family and home. They work well on rodents and a number of other common household pests such as small scorpions, spiders, crickets, cockroaches, and flies.

Tillain’s super strong adhesive makes for the ideal rat trap. For the best results it is recommended that bread crumbs, cheese, or fried fish are placed in the center of the trap to attract rats or mice. If you are using it in the winter Tillain recommends to heat it up on a heating pipe before use to get the glue warm and sticky. If you are removing the rats from the glue, household vegetable oil can be used for a painless release. Avoid leaving these traps in direct sunlight or near water. If the trap does get wet, dry before using.

BEST ELECTRIC TRAP

Rat Zapper RZC001

Last update on 2023-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Rat Zapper RZC001 is easy to use and makes the disposal of ‘catches’ simple and mess free; no more handling involved. Insert the required 4 AA batteries, add bait such as peanut butter spread along the back wall, place the trap and power it up, then go about your day and wait for a blinking red LED light to indicate a catch. The Rat Zapper makes the next step – disposal – much easier. You don’t have to physically handle the catch; it stays inside the kill chamber and all you need do is tip the opening into the trash.

The electronic trap has metal plates and smart circuit technology that senses when a rodent enters it. Designed specifically for rats – which are able to restart their hearts – this unit offers a high voltage shock which is applied for a solid two minutes to ensure elimination.

The Rat Zapper doesn’t use poisons or chemicals, but as with any electronic device, please exercise caution around pets and children. Its use is intended for indoors, so don’t let it get wet.

BEST PLANK TRAP

RinneTraps Walk The Plank Mouse Trap

Last update on 2023-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The RinneTraps Walk The Plank Mouse Trap works on a simple principle. Mice and other rodents will climb to get around, even on telephone wires. The pests walk up the side and fall into a bucket once they’ve sprung it. Though it sounds odd, it works. The trigger mechanism is sensitive and will trap even the smallest of rats.

You must supply the bucket. A five-gallon one will do the job just fine. Proper placement is essential for maximum effectiveness. You can quickly move it to find the right spot because of its construction.

BEST SPRING TRAP

Kat Sense Large Rat Trap Mice Traps

Last update on 2023-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Kat Sense Large Rat Trap Mice Traps is a different take on a reliable way to get the job done quickly and effectively. It builds on the concept of the classic wooden device and takes it one step further with one that is more powerful to prevent escapes.

When using these types of traps, you’ll have better success if you set several of them. Fortunately, you can buy it in four or six-packs for better coverage. You can reuse them or toss them out after being tripped. The mechanism is sensitive to keep rodents from stealing the bait. The manufacturer guarantees that they will work too.

What Are Common Signs of a Rat Problem?

As the old saying goes, once you start seeing signs of it, you have an infestation on your hands. However, even a single rat is destructive and can cause a lot of damage. The classic indications that these rodents are in your home include the following:

• Droppings or urine stains
• Gnaw marks, holes, and scratches
• Nests
• Sounds

Like many pests, rats are secretive and elusive. The chances are you’ll see sign before the culprit unless you have a major problem, especially if you spot them during the day.

What Habitat Do Rats Prefer?

Rats live just about anywhere in the world, except Antarctica. They coexist with people because of the reliable food and shelter sources they provide, albeit, unintentionally. They can adapt to a variety of habitats and situations. If humans can live in a place, so can these rodents.

They inhabit areas that we’d consider dangerous or inhospitable such as sewers and dump sites. Likely places in your home are cabinets, woodpiles, and anywhere there is garbage or food available. That includes any living quarters for pets or livestock. Rats, after all, are highly adaptable.

How Can I Best Use My Rat Traps?

Rats are survivors for a good reason. They are wary of new things in their environment. That’s why it’s necessary to allow them to get used to baited traps before you set them. Place the traps in an area where you’ve seen the telltale signs. Add the bait or attractant per the manufacturer’s instructions. Once you’ve noticed that they’re visiting it, bait it again and set it.

The best places to put them include along walls. You may find it helpful to set more than one trap. Since they are relatively larger rodents, we suggest securing each one in place. If you use spring types, the more, the better. Follow the same procedure as detailed above.

More Tips for Dealing With a Rodent Issue

Prevention is the best cure. A rat infestation is no exception. That means determining where the problem begins. The smartest thing you can do is to find the openings that rats use to enter your home and seal them. Look around the entire perimeter of your house. Do the same inspection in the rooms where you’ve seen any sign.

You may find it helpful to sweep the floors regularly in the areas when you’ve detected them to see if they’re still active. Droppings are often the first clue that they are in your home. The next step is to prevent a recurrence.

Bear in mind that any hole larger than one-half inch is enough for them to squeeze through to get inside. Seal them with chalk or a screen over the opening. Also, keep the area around the foundation clear of vegetation and debris so that it doesn’t provide cover for them. Remember that rats are reluctant to move in plain sight.

Another effective means is to eliminate the food sources. Keep areas around food preparation and garbage sites clean. That applies to pet bowls too. Take them up after your dog or cat has finished eating. Rats are opportunistic and will choose the places where it’s easiest to find something to eat. Make sure that your home isn’t one of them.

Finally, using rat traps is a necessary approach if you have an infestation. They will stay in your house unless you take proactive measures. The health of you and your family is at risk as long as they reside there. And the sooner you act, the better your chances of pest control.