Need Rat Bait Suggestions.... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rs899 · #1 10-28-2013, 08:41 PM

We got one up in the attic, running around. Had the "humane" trap up there with peanut butter and cheese for a week. No action.

Ok. No more Mr nice guy. Added lethal traps using Slim Jims .

Any other bait suggestions for a finicky unwanted guest?

engatwork · #2 10-28-2013, 08:47 PM

We just use a regular old spring loaded mouse trap with peanut butter around these parts.

Edited to add the type bait.

The Clk Man · #3 10-28-2013, 08:50 PM

We use the gooey stuff in payday candy bars works every time.

panZZer · #4 10-28-2013, 08:59 PM

My favorite rat poison is lead-but rather than slow lead poisoning I like to be proactive and manually plug them with a pellet gun.

the storage area attached to the back has a 2x6 ledge along the header they run across ,, so i put up peanuts or potatoe chips and sit in the kitchen with a beer, the next room over i let just enough light in so i can see them and its like my little shooting arcade pegging them thru the screen.

uberwgn · #5 10-28-2013, 09:00 PM

We had a similar issue but with flying squirrels. Rat Zapper to the rescue

U can watch a video of the device in action on youtube

Idle · #6 10-28-2013, 09:05 PM

Perhaps a bit extreme, but a game camera trained on a bait tray could catch an image of the creature. Then you would know what you are dealing with.

It is possible you have done everything necessary to catch a rat but your guest is not a rat. A bigger trap might be the answer.

Idle · #7 10-28-2013, 09:12 PM

An extreme trap can be built.

Take a five gallon bucket. Fill it with water and pour in some liquid soap. Dishwashing soap will suffice. All you are doing is reducing the surface tension of the water.

Stretch a piece of stiff paper over the top of the bucket and tie it down with a large rubber band or perhaps a zip tie. Cut an ''X" in the top of the paper. If the paper is stiff or thick enough it will not sag. In the middle of the X place some bait.

Put a small wooden board against the bucket so the Rat can climb up to the bait. When the rat falls through the X and into the water the oil on their fur will combine with the soap in the water and they will sink. As the surface tension of the water is reduced there will be nothing for them to grab on to and they will not be able to tread water.

The only danger is the rat may knock over the bucket, so the possibility of that will need to be negated.

cmac2012 · #8 10-29-2013, 12:35 AM

Peanut butter has always worked for me. I think squirrels are harder to bait. I've not heard of people catching/killing squirrels with a spring rat trap. I've heard of using seeds and a non lethal trap.

Not sure if you have squirrels down there (probably a silly statement).

whunter · #9 10-29-2013, 01:29 AM

Best Bucket Rat Trap In The World - YouTube

Bucket rat trap - YouTube

BEST MOUSE TRAP IN THE WORLD - YouTube

Testing Rat In A Barrel Trap - YouTube

Making a 5 gal. bucket mouse trap. - YouTube

Build a Better RAT TRAP?? NO POISON!! - YouTube

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Stretch · #10 10-29-2013, 03:03 AM

Ferret.

Jim B. · #11 10-29-2013, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Idle

An extreme trap can be built.

Take a five gallon bucket. Fill it with water and pour in some liquid soap. Dishwashing soap will suffice. All you are doing is reducing the surface tension of the water.

Stretch a piece of stiff paper over the top of the bucket and tie it down with a large rubber band or perhaps a zip tie. Cut an ''X" in the top of the paper. If the paper is stiff or thick enough it will not sag. In the middle of the X place some bait.

Put a small wooden board against the bucket so the Rat can climb up to the bait. When the rat falls through the X and into the water the oil on their fur will combine with the soap in the water and they will sink. As the surface tension of the water is reduced there will be nothing for them to grab on to and they will not be able to tread water.

The only danger is the rat may knock over the bucket, so the possibility of that will need to be negated.

rs899 · #12 10-29-2013, 06:29 AM

Thanks for the inputs. I will cogitate a bit ( a bit groggy right now as the little ba$tard) kept me up a bit.

I think I heard one of the snap traps go off ( that would have been a slim jim) at 2AM (or was I dreaming), but he was active after that.

I am pretty sure it a rat. We have had squirrels and racoons up there, so I think I can tell the difference. Most of the action happens right above my bed.

Again, so far, the problem is bait, not traps. The water turture might work as there is an manhole through the ceiling in an outside closet that is very close to the run, so spilling water isn't really an issue (it's a sort of closet in an outside porch).

Again, it's the bait.

I will check with the wife when she's up and see if he took any bait.

Quote:

Ferret.

Isn't this another form of rat? Not sure it's better than what I have now...

David Wilson · #13 10-29-2013, 08:50 AM

I used to have problems catching mice and rats. They had the ability to clean all the peanut butter off of the trigger without setting it off.

A buddy of mine showed me a trick. Take some string or thread and wrap it around the trigger several times and tie it off. Then put the peanut butter on. The rodent can't keep from tugging at the string to get the last bit of peanut butter. Get em every time.

rs899 · #14 10-29-2013, 09:03 AM

Wife reports no hits on any traps last night. Maybe I need to up the amount of peanut butter? We are going to try some bread or apple and see if we have a vegan up there .

TMAllison · #15 10-29-2013, 11:18 AM

My experience with roof rats is that you get one shot at them. They are very smart and won't go back to a trap after its been tripped. Mice on the other hand will return again and again.

I bait traps for 2-3 days un-set to get them accustomed to the trap. Wear gloves when baiting to avoid human scent. Once the bait disappears a couple of days in a row, bait and set the trap. Usually works.