There are numerous options on the market when it comes to rat traps, with some being more effective than others. Let’s go through the list and check the pros and cons of the most popular options out there.
Snap traps
The trusty snap trap is a classic, and it’s just as effective now as it always was. It consists of a piece of wood, on which you have a spring under tension, pulling a metal bar, with a trigger in the middle. On the trigger, you place a piece of bait, you arm the trap, and when the rat leans on the trigger to eat the bait, the metal bar snaps forward with a lot of speed and force, killing the rat instantly, or trapping it in place. The rat can then be removed from the building. These traps can get very powerful, and there have been cases of broken fingers. There are also plastic snap traps that use a mechanism which resembles the open mouth of a snake. These traps are safer to handle, and instead of breaking the rat’s neck or back, they suffocate the rat by applying pressure on their bodies.
Glue traps
Glue traps are also classics, and they are perhaps the simplest trap there is. Basically, you have a piece of cardboard with some extremely sticky glue on it. You place this piece of cardboard in areas with a lot of rat activity and then you wait. It’s not uncommon to catch multiple rats with this, but there is the risk of a pet or a person stepping in it, and it is quite inhumane for the rats.
Live-animal traps
If you want to go with a humane approach during a rat infestation, you can go with a live-animal trap. These traps will capture the rats alive, without hurting them, and the rats can then be released somewhere far away from a human settlement.
Electric traps
Electric traps are just what they sound like – traps that electrocute rats. These traps will also draw the rats inside them, and then deliver a fatal shock, killing the rat instantly. They do have some downsides, such as price and perhaps battery life, but they are the second most humane way to kill rats on this list, since death is almost instantaneous. If you want to find out more information about the various rat traps out there, or if you have an infestation that has to be removed, contact us today.