Any preference on these professional style victor traps (Classic wooden Victor professional vs. plastic Powerkill)? I've used both and seem to have had better luck with the black plastic traps but wondered what others thought. The plastic can be easier to set imo. And don't have the long setting arm that can swing in the way if set in a box or low covered space.

Yellow pan wood

Set in a box? I saw a Youtube video on rat trapping. Shows a rat using a stick as a tool to set off a trap. The guy sets his traps in wooden boxes with pre-baiting which is what I'm about to try. I may make some with wood traps, some for plastic. The box for plastic can be smaller 'cause there is no set arm to swing up and catch the roof.

Here's my prototype, inspired by Shawn Woods on YouTube. He uses wooden Victors. Mine are the plastic Victors, which can use a lower profile box due to no setting arm. Traps are screwed to the wood to secure them in case of a bad catch. Rat must approach straight in, over the spikes which will help secure it after the catch. Can be baited with PB on the pan or sunflower seeds in the back, or some other sticky bait smeared over the back wall. I'll pre-bait the site for 5 or 6 days, then go in for the kill. I'll set 6 or 8 of these.

I much prefer the trap with the hole in the pan and a cup for bait under it, but have found the plastic ones have a high fail rate from the dog breaking off. Never had a problem with the wire dog hitting anything, but have always made sure there was sufficient clearance for it.

I've had success using those, BUT make sure they are tied off, or they are gone! You should be good since yours are fastened down.
Check out Gregory Ross, he has done great mods to use on the claudication wood traps and tips.

Thans guys. I'm thinking of removing the spikes. They look pretty brutal and might turn off the HO or pose a risk to some nosey dog. I don't know that they are necessry. I made six of these. Will start the pre-baiting today.

I'm curious if anyone has ever had success making a dent in a colony of rats using traps alone? Yes, you can catch some, but enough to make a difference?

I eventually cleared out a house infested with rats using snaps and the green block poison, took about a year for around 25 rats.

If you’re going after rats, go all out. Just trapping here and there will self select leaving only trap adverse rats and make it harder to get rid of the problem. You don’t want to be the second guy to come in when all the easy ones were caught and the ones left got to see their buddies in traps.

I plan on baiting them for a full week, then unleashing on them hard. Ive found this is effective for 3 or 4 days tops, and then the catches fall off drastically. After that ill plug the holes and set up my trail cam to see if any are left. I may try PB/baking soda if any remain to see if there is any truth to that. I dont think this is a huge infestation yet based on the number of holes..

If it works I may change my name to Johnny rat. There was a kid in school we called Johnny rat. He actually looked like one.

I use the Victors with plastic pan also, I caught 48 rats from one house several years ago. Took a couple weeks, then went to poison. I’m a fan of Wildlife Control Supply’s Green Machine for bait.

wws

Well, I pre-baited for a week. Started out well but went long enough to attract a possum that's been snapping off the traps and taking the bait. Caught him today. Finally, time for the rats.

Yup. The plastic traps are garbage. Check out Greg Ross on Youtube.

I think I agree with you. I had a couple black plastics set off the first night. Now the rats won't go near my traps. They might work on little rats but not the big ones.

Black plastic traps take red squirrels easily. My preferred trap for squirrels. Rats, either will work. Kness make a good trap