Rat infestations bring many problems into the home, and getting rid of them can be difficult. This is because rats are not only hardy, sneaky, and acrobatic, they are also quite intelligent, being able to avoid trapping efforts for a considerable period of time.. However, with the right approach, trapping becomes much easier, and you can trick the rats to take the bait much more effectively. Here is everything you need to know about catching stubborn rats.
Let the rats get used to your traps
All rats have neophobia, which means that they are afraid of anything that is new in their environment. In order to circumvent this fear, you will have to keep several unarmed traps around the house for a few days. This will make the rats think that the traps are harmless. At this point, you can start baiting and arming the traps.
Eliminate all food and water sources
If they have enough food and water sources, rats are less likely to go for the food in a trap. By removing as many food and water sources as possible, you will force rats to eat the bait that you lay out, or move out entirely.
Use the right bait
There are foods that have been proven to trap rats more effectively than others, and these foods include: peanut butter, which is the most effective, meat such as salami or fish, nuts, dried fruit, and sweets such as maple syrup, candies and chocolates.
Extra tips and tricks to catch stubborn rats
If your traps aren’t really working, you can use tracking powders that are specifically designed for rats. These powders can be placed in areas where you’ve seen a lot of droppings, and they will stick to rats and create trails wherever they go. You can then place traps along these trails for better results. You also have the option of setting up cameras to record rat activity overnight, but this is a more expensive option, and the cameras cannot really capture rat activity that is happening behind furniture or appliances. Finally, do not be afraid to do some trial and error, especially if it’s your first time trying to control a rat infestation. Try various locations, traps and control options to see which is most effective.
If you need some extra help in dealing with an infestation, contact us today and we can set up a rat control appointment.