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Best way to trap a rat? #6726923
01/13/20 01:48 AM
01/13/20 01:48 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
D
Dillon Benda Offline OP
trapper
Dillon Benda  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
Anybody got any tricks to catch barn rats. I've used snap traps with peanut butter and snap traps in weasel boxes with peanut butter or cat food and I can't catch a single one. I've tried the pail full of water one in the past and never had any luck. It's not really an option right now anyway because the water would freeze and I can't use anti freeze with the dogs around. I have one digging around the house now. I'd like to get him before he finds his way in!

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726940
01/13/20 02:10 AM
01/13/20 02:10 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Cragar Offline
trapper
Cragar  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Rats are neophobic ( fear of new things in their environment )
How long have you had traps out without moving them ?

Sometimes it takes awhile for them to investigate a trap.


NRA benefactor member
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726945
01/13/20 02:27 AM
01/13/20 02:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
I use footholds with a extremely light weight trigger on the pan and set them up in blind sets. Works like a charm if you can identify where they run.

I, like you have had little success with baited snap traps.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726949
01/13/20 02:48 AM
01/13/20 02:48 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
D
Dillon Benda Offline OP
trapper
Dillon Benda  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
I've had both the snap traps and the boxes out for maybe a month. Beaverpeeler are you bedding those traps or just on the ground. I'll try that

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726950
01/13/20 02:51 AM
01/13/20 02:51 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
beaverpeeler Offline
trapper
beaverpeeler  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,985
Oregon
No bedding, I just block off their runs so they have to go across it and they will jump right on to the pan and get caught every time. Of course you need to wire the trap off or they will run off with it if they're not killed instantly. The key is such a light pan that it will go off with almost no pressure.


My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726952
01/13/20 02:58 AM
01/13/20 02:58 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Cragar Offline
trapper
Cragar  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
I've used standard Victor wooden rats traps and a few other types , plastic. Squirrel size cage traps too. I've heard of people using foothold traps with a super light trigger with success , haven't tried it myself. Being they are neophobic , sometimes putting out traps with bait unset to allow them to get used to the new thing in their environment for days or even weeks before they will commit. Allowing them to investigate from a safe distance ( feet/yards) as time goes on they will get closer ( feet/inches ) slowly working their way in. Bait the trap ( peanut butter is good , bird seed too ) as they get bolder by the day , let them enjoy the free buffet. Once you see they are actively taking the bait every night , that is the time to set the trap. Stake the trap down as a partial hit may cause them to drag off the trap. Putting a large nail through the trap into a dirt floor works.

Removing any food sources is also key. If they are feeding on grain or other things in a barn will give them a solid food source and they may not bother with any bait you have put out. Removing all food sources completely , rats will leave on their own. Rats are very dependent on a food source , without it they will seek out one somewhere else. Areas with livestock always have problems due to uneaten scraps always available. Even just a small flock of chickens ( a dozen ) will have bits of food around. Removing feed from chickens before night takes away the food source and the chickens will clean up any leftovers leaving little for the rats.

Another option is to find a friend with a dog that has natural ratting abilities. Jack Russell terriers are good at this and some other breeds. Barn cats generally don't do this job that well. Unless the cat is a serious mouser, but most cats avoid them , difficult for the cat and rats fight back unlike mice which are easy prey.


NRA benefactor member
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: beaverpeeler] #6726957
01/13/20 03:26 AM
01/13/20 03:26 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Cragar Offline
trapper
Cragar  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,365
New York border
Originally Posted by beaverpeeler
I use footholds with a extremely light weight trigger on the pan and set them up in blind sets. Works like a charm if you can identify where they run.

This can work , but I have no experience with it.
Identifying rat runs takes a bit of detective work. Rats like to run along walls for cover. They will also go from object to object for cover. They can climb fairly well. They can also jump a good distance/height. Look for urine staining. It can be in dry droplets/smears they will be just a little off colored to surroundings to sometimes a bit like a weak blood color. You will even see it on walls where they are climbing. Look for oil staining from them rubbing against things as their fur/ bodies have oil. Chew marks are another thing to look for. Rats love to chew. Droppings are also key. Rat droppings are the size and shape of Tic Tacs. Some droppings may be round about the size of airsoft plastic pellets. Mouse droppings are the size and shape of thin rice. UV ( blacklights ) are useful too as the urine fluoresces a bit.

Don't get discouraged. Rats are difficult. Mice are easy , they are dumb. Rats are very smart and wary.

Last edited by Cragar; 01/13/20 03:39 AM.

NRA benefactor member
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Cragar] #6726959
01/13/20 03:41 AM
01/13/20 03:41 AM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 42
AK
Msturm Offline
trapper
Msturm  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 42
AK
Put out a live trap for ermine. Release ermine in barn. No more rats.

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726967
01/13/20 05:20 AM
01/13/20 05:20 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
D

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
go to the pet store and buy 2-3 ferrets to turn loose and no more rat trouble either


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: beaverpeeler] #6726974
01/13/20 06:17 AM
01/13/20 06:17 AM
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
C
coydog2 Offline
trapper
coydog2  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,738
Iowa
Originally Posted by beaverpeeler
No bedding, I just block off their runs so they have to go across it and they will jump right on to the pan and get caught every time. Of course you need to wire the trap off or they will run off with it if they're not killed instantly. The key is such a light pan that it will go off with almost no pressure.

This is what I do also. I mainly use #1 jump or long spring on them.I also set in there trail.One time I got one that she had her young when in the foothold trap.


Life member of DAV,NTA,NRA,ITA.Also member of FTA,CBA
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6726998
01/13/20 07:25 AM
01/13/20 07:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 882
pennsylvania
R
rick brocious Offline
trapper
rick brocious  Offline
trapper
R

Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 882
pennsylvania

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727046
01/13/20 08:43 AM
01/13/20 08:43 AM
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,684
Henry Co, IL
3
3togo Offline
trapper
3togo  Offline
trapper
3

Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1,684
Henry Co, IL
I like an old #2 Victor sq jaw with hair trigger. Nice big pan for a target while they run along a wall edge.

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Msturm] #6727094
01/13/20 09:05 AM
01/13/20 09:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
Originally Posted by Msturm
Put out a live trap for ermine. Release ermine in barn. No more rats.

grin


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: 330-Trapper] #6727096
01/13/20 09:07 AM
01/13/20 09:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Bruce T Offline
trapper
Bruce T  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 41,592
Northern Maine
Originally Posted by 330-Trapper
Originally Posted by Msturm
Put out a live trap for ermine. Release ermine in barn. No more rats.

grin

X2


Nevada bound
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727164
01/13/20 09:59 AM
01/13/20 09:59 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
D
Dillon Benda Offline OP
trapper
Dillon Benda  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
Well I caught one in a snap trap last night! I'm hoping that was the only one by the house but I'm afraid it might not be. Should have some more fresh snow tonight so I should know for sure. I guess maybe there's not as much food available around the house than in the barn and that made him a little more bold

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727169
01/13/20 10:02 AM
01/13/20 10:02 AM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,204
Missouri
H
HayDay Offline
trapper
HayDay  Offline
trapper
H

Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,204
Missouri
Perhaps a 110 or smaller body grip.....edge set in a run? Blocking as needed? Make a 1-1 1/2" spread in the trigger wires.....or maybe string or wire on the tips? Or a pan trigger? Trap would have to be pretty sensitive.

Always wanted to try a baited 110 for barn rats....... a piece of tootsie roll or bit-o-honey impaled on the tip of one of the whiskers?

Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Msturm] #6727173
01/13/20 10:04 AM
01/13/20 10:04 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
D
Dillon Benda Offline OP
trapper
Dillon Benda  Offline OP
trapper
D

Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
Wisconsin
Originally Posted by Msturm
Put out a live trap for ermine. Release ermine in barn. No more rats.

Man I've actually thought of this! I spent last night looking at ferreting and mink man videos lol.

I think I'll try some footholds around the barn. I just have to find some places to put them where I'm less likely to catch the cat that is around occasionally. She's obviously useless anyway.

Last edited by Dillon Benda; 01/13/20 10:04 AM.
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727176
01/13/20 10:06 AM
01/13/20 10:06 AM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
Law Dog Offline
trapper
Law Dog  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 34,751
Central, SD
Like said set along the wall set a foothold along the edge and block it with trash so your pets can’t get caught.


Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!

Jerry Herbst
Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727177
01/13/20 10:07 AM
01/13/20 10:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
330-Trapper Offline

trapper
330-Trapper  Offline

trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 62,657
Minnesota
Originally Posted by Dillon Benda
Originally Posted by Msturm
Put out a live trap for ermine. Release ermine in barn. No more rats.

Man I've actually thought of this! I spent last night looking at ferreting and mink man videos lol.

I think I'll try some footholds around the barn. I just have to find some places to put them where I'm less likely to catch the cat that is around occasionally. She's obviously useless anyway.

I was going to say....that cat is worhless wink


NRA and NTA Life Member
www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com




Re: Best way to trap a rat? [Re: Dillon Benda] #6727182
01/13/20 10:08 AM
01/13/20 10:08 AM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,009
ohio
T
tomahawker Offline
trapper
tomahawker  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,009
ohio
Victor snap rat trap-sliver of raw bacon -wrap trigger-thin strip of duct tape around bacon

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