Rat Trap: Poison-free catching with snap traps, live traps and RatGun

Rat Trap: Catch rats without poison

A rat trap is the right choice if you want to work without rat poison, for example because children, dogs, cats or chickens live on the farm. You can see straight away whether an animal has been caught, and you do not have to search for poisoned carcasses. The range includes classic snap traps, humane live traps, bait stations with a built-in trap and automatic systems for larger farms.

Which rat trap is the right one?

Snap traps such as ratStop, Snapper or the beechwood traps Wina and Luna kill quickly and are easy to use. Wire mesh live traps or box traps such as the Alive Predator catch the rat unharmed, and the MultiRat multi-catch trap can even take several animals one after another. For farms with many trap sites, the Cit RatGun is worth a look: it runs on CO2, fires automatically and resets itself. The ratStop Smart tells you via Wi-Fi and app when it has been triggered.

Setting up and checking correctly

Rats prefer to run along walls and avoid open spaces. So place your traps at right angles to the run, directly against the wall, behind boxes or near gnaw marks. A bait of peanut butter, bacon or grain makes the trap interesting. Position snap traps so that other animals cannot get caught, ideally inside a bait box. Check live traps at least twice a day so that caught animals do not suffer needlessly. Wear gloves when handling traps, because rats are sensitive to human scent.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best bait for a rat trap?
Peanut butter, chocolate spread, bacon or a piece of sausage have proved their worth. Put only a small amount right on the trigger so the rat has to tug at it. Leave the trap unset for a few days at first so the animals get used to it.

Do ultrasonic devices work against rats?
Ultrasonic devices drive rats out of limited, enclosed rooms such as a feed room. As the sound does not pass through walls, they are better for prevention than for an existing infestation. With many rats, it is best to combine them with traps.

How many rat traps do I need?
Several traps catch far better than one. Spread them a few metres apart along the runs, especially where you find droppings or gnaw marks. With a large infestation in a stable or barn, automatic traps such as the RatGun take a lot of work off your hands.