I have caught them like beaverpeeler describes. I like to set heavy the first time so I kill as many as possible the first night. Otherwise the left overs can get real spooky when they notice a buddy or two missing.

I think rats are more like beaver and mice are more like muskrats when it comes to trapping. Helps me to think of it that way when targeting them anyway.

Caught hundreds just set a number 1 and lay a rag over it.. up next to the wall or in a run as stated Or 1 1/2 but sometimes they twist out of bigger trap

I'm glad to hear you got one. Congrats. The ones around the house are more of a concern , don't need them near your living space. Checking for more with the snow for tracks is a good idea. Another tool is to 'soft plug ' any holes with debris , leaves , grass etc. Just pack them lightly. Check the holes to see if things have been pushed in or out to determine vacancy. Keeping them away from the house is important. If you may have noticed , it is good practice for most restaurants/ supermarkets and the like to keep the trash dumpster away from the building. Trash is a food source for vermin. Keeping it away keeps the problem away from the structure. If the food source is close the building , it is more likely they will habitate the structure. I worked at a big factory once. They had 2 large dumpsters/compactors right at the building for their trash. They had a smaller one aways in the parking lot about 50 yards away from the building. This dumpster was for the cafeteria use.

As some have mentioned , raw bacon and chocolate are good baits too. I've used Hershey syrup with success.

Keep at it , this is not a easy job , but you are on your way.

Just a heads up. I heard you mention dogs. I trap a fair amount of rats every year where the only food
Source is dog poop. So keep it cleaned up around the house and that will help.

Yes. Manure can be a food source.

Good point.

Nothing worse than a $hit eaten' rat!

Does this translate into a Democrat.

couple of years ago my dad had some rats move into his barn, tried trapping, but did no good , found a 5' bull snake& took it out there & fed it into one of their holes , they all moved out in a couple of days
Dennis

Remove ALL food sources, or they won't have any interest in your traps.

I've tried a bunch of ways and have caught about 3 five buckets full of rats. What's worked best for me is my bridger #3s . That's was the only foothold I had so used them. They are 4 coiled, I just tighten the pan si there's no slop side to side and roll. Sprinkle a little ground duff over the trap then sprinkle some grain on the pan and move on. Got 6 dozen rat snap traps and can catch some in them but nothing like the #3s. And instant death.

Will the sticky stations hold a rat?

That would work good , however if there is any livestock around it that may not be possible. Eliminating as much as possible might be a more achievable goal.

They make bigger ones that do.

Had some barn rats try moving into the cellar of our old farm house when I was a kid.The old man went to the swamp and came back with a burlap sack of snakes.dumped them in the cellar.within couple weeks,,no more rats and snakes moved back to the swamp.

Props to the old man.....real old school cool.....all natural pest control before it was invented.

There are a lot of good suggestions above, my advice get after them fast and hard! IF you don't will never get them under control.
Get rid of any food sources in the barn that they can get at. JMO

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