There are a few key elements that you really want to look for when choosing a rat trap. One thing to initially consider is where you are planning on placing the trap. The placement of the trap will determine how often you need to reset it.
If you refer to the Home page, I use rat traps as a methodology for blocking off the entrances to my car. If rodents are getting into your car this is a super important first line of defense that you should implement immediately.
The perfect placement for rat traps around your car to block off the entrances is at the base of the tread on the front and the back, and on the top of the tire. You want to do this for both the front two tires. If this will be the placement of the traps, you will want a rat trap that is easy to set and disarm.
I use the Tomcat Rat Snap Traps, though there are other very similar traps from other brands out there. It would be most appropriate to say that I prefer this style of trap. I really like these because they are super easy to set, are easy to disarm, and I don’t feel in danger when I am setting them. Also, since I am setting and disarming 12 of these everyday (we have two cars) I need a trap that I am comfortable using.
If you are setting a trap that will be placed in the same spot for an extended period of time, then you could probably get away with the cheaper wire bar traps (though I still would prefer he Tomcat style of trap).
And for bait, I use peanut butter. Hasn’t failed me yet!
Hope this helps in giving a little guidance for your selection!
Leave a comment! Thanks!
-Rat King Dave
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I learned a lot about rodent traps by reading this article. It was cool to learn that these traps are reusable and are easy to use. I hope this article can help us to keep our belongings and valuables safe from rodents and pests.BTW thank you keep updating us.
Hi Steven! Sorry for the delay in my response, but thank you for your comment!! Super happy to hear that you could benefit from the information! RKD
The one thing I dislike about Tomcat & copy cat traps is that they BREAK too easily, especially if they snap shut without a rat or hand inside. The bait can also breaks when the trap snaps shut & those traps are EXPENSIVE!
They should be made of less brittle plastic or metal.
Otherwise they are easy to set, they have a sensitive trigger & the rat can’t climb over the rear to get the bait without triggering the trap or the bail will miss them even if they do trigger it.
Hi Sheila! Thanks for sharing. So far, I have had one break and one got cracked. Both were after months of having the trap close on a butter knife which is what I used to take the traps down every morning. To clarify why I recommend these traps, it is more this style of trap that I am recommending versus the specific brand. And the reasoning is just due to the ease of use and effectiveness. I hope this helps clarify and that the information provided on this site has been helpful for you! Thank you!
The design is indeed very good at catching & killing rats, they can’t climb over the top from behind to reach the bait & they can’t lick the bait off the trigger like they can with the common snap trap, they can’t reach the bait without triggering it, what I really want to see is a change in their materials at least for the bait cup or make the flange thicker & stronger so it doesn’t break off so easily. Having to glue the bait cup to the trap makes it much more difficult to clean.
I think the other brand that is of the same design uses the same material & is just as brittle & easy to break.
The rats also liked puppy chow flavored with chicken stock, I trapped the last rat in the attic with that bait. I’ve also used peanut butter, bacon fat & fried chicken bits with fat.
I think they would like anything high in fat & protiene.
They seem to hate peppermint! After a rat chewed through my cars plug wires so I had to get the harness replaced, I put peppermint oil on cotton balls in the engine compartment, left the hood up & put metal tape & wire screen over those wires. I then poisoned the rat.
No more rats!
I just use my hand to grab the trap from the rear to move it, no problems. I always tie a wire from the trap to a drag of some sort so if the rat is not killed, & I have had them caught by a leg, it can’t drag the trap off somewhere where I can’t find it.
The rats have a nice long strong tail, makes a fine handle, if they try to climb up, just give it a little yank & down they go again until the hatchet chops off their heads!
Haha! Wow you’ve tried it all! At least those rats are having a delicious last meal. In regards to the traps, I searched for a metal version on Amazon but didn’t find any. Rats do seem to have something against peppermint, but I like how you implemented a variety of methods to eliminate the rodents! That’s is key! And good call about tying the trap to something! Thanks for your comment!
I use a basic rat trap from walmart. I use sliced turkey (sandwich meat). They would often steal my bait until I wrapped bait with a twist tie to the trap. Works great now!
Haha great to hear John! I would say that the placement of the traps is the most important aspect to using bait traps and less so the type of bait that is used, but glad to hear you are having success!
Thank you so much for your updates. I’m hopefully winning the war with your advise…
You are very welcome, Peggy! I’m here to help as much as I can. Please keep me in the loop on how the progress is going! Thank you!!