Rat Trapping 101 – What is it?
Rats are among the most destructive pests in homes and businesses. They carry diseases that can spread to humans, damage property, and cause serious health problems for pets.
Three species of rats were introduced in New Zealand and are present here today – the Ship rats, the Norway rats and the Kiore. They have a massive impact on our wildlife in New Zealand. All three species are omnivores and eat birds, eggs, weta, fruits, flowers, snails, lizards, seeds and more. They also pose a threat to our wildlife by competing with their food sources.
Pest control activities can take us and our native species a long way. If you’re trapping for the first time, it may seem like a daunting task. How to trap rats, what rat traps can I go for, how many traps should I set, why have I been unable to trap rats and plenty more questions would pop up wondering where to really start. So, we are here to make it easy for you and answer your queries.
HOW TO TRAP RATS
There are several different kinds of rat traps available. You should choose the type that works best for your situation. If you live near an area where there are both rodents and possums, the kind of traps/baits you would use are much different than those you’d use for only trapping rats. Kinds of traps/ bait stations may also differ from urban to rural areas. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the 3 best rat traps you should use if you have mainly rats around.
Three Best Rat Traps:
D-Rat Traps – The Works
The Works from the D-Rat trap range is an affordable rat trap with a shroud. It is lightweight and easy to use – set, clear and reset the trap without touching the catch.
This trap is designed to force rats to enter from the mouth of the trap as opposed to the sides or the back. Mount them on trees or place them on the ground – either way it’s less maintenance and works wonders.
Crocodile Rat Trap
Similar to the T-Rex rat trap, the crocodile trap is a snap trap with interlocking teeth. These interlocks assist in getting good grasp of the catch, making escape difficult. It also comes with a removable bait holder.
Use the crocodile rat trap for backyard pest control activities.
Mouse Trap with a Bait Station
Mice are really tiny in size but can wreak havoc on your property. This mouse trap is cost effective and comes in twos to fit in the ranger bait station. It is a powerful kill trap and makes escape harder.
Simply place this bait station near a wall with baits in the bait holder and be ready trap heaps.
QUICK TIPS TO TRAP RATS:
- Always wear gloves when handling a rat trap
- Place at least 3-4 traps in a medium sized backyard
- Place rat traps in a flat surface, mount them on trees trunks or leave them near your compost/ walls
- Use baits to lure rats to your traps – Eggsellent lure/ smooth lure or peanut butter classic paste
- Use bait stations if you have pets or children around – Rodent Run-Through Bait Station, Ranger mouse bait station
- Check your traps every couple of days
- Clean your trap after every catch – you don’t want it to be mouldy and rats get comfortable there