You know you have rats. Maybe you have seen one of the animals yourself or have noticed all the signs of these pests. Now it is time to pull out the traps, bait them, and put them in place for the rats to find.

The problem is that this method often doesn’t work. First, rat traps alone are not usually enough, which is why we recommend you contact us about our exclusion and related services that help keep rats out. But also, it’s not simply enough to lay a trap. Trapping rats successfully requires the right combination of placement, bait, and patience. This is due to the rat’s habits and understanding the basics of how rats navigate their environments can help you get traps in the right places to catch the rodents as quickly as possible.

Considerations for Rat Trap Placement

Rats follow the same pathways over and over again to get from their nests to food and water sources. These routes are called runways and generally will not vary unless something interrupts the route. You should place a rat trap directly on a runway, otherwise the rat is unlikely to break from its routine to discover it.

To find a rat’s runway, look for signs that a rat frequents the area. Most runways are near walls and in quieter spaces of the home so the rats can avoid open areas. Look along your baseboards for:

• Droppings
• Chew Marks
• Stains

Your kitchen, pantry, attic, or basement are common spots for rats and it can be helpful to start there when searching for signs of a rat runway.

A rat will still be cautious of a trap even if it is directly in their path. This is because rats regard new things hesitantly, waiting to be sure they are safe before approaching. It can be useful to place the trap without baiting it at first to give rats the opportunity to investigate and feel comfortable approaching the trap.

After a few days to give rats time to adjust, you can bait the trap. Instead of cheese, you’ll want to place dried fruits, peanut butter, and pet food, which are are ideal baits for rats. Be sure to firmly affix them to the trap to prevent the rat from escaping with the bait.

It is possible to capture rats on your own using these tips for baiting and placing your traps, but it is not always easy or quick. You are also doing nothing to prevent future infestations of rats from getting in. For this reason, professional rodent control is a better solution for many homeowners.

Local rat control companies in Gainesville like ExtermPRO have captured hundreds of rats and mice. We know where rats most like to hide and can identify their runways from experience. We also have the traps and baits that we have proven to work with local rat species and can also provide exclusion to physically prevent rats from getting back in after we trap them. Get help with rat trapping at your home or business in Northern Virginia when you call us.