What’s the only thing worse than an out-of-control mouse infestation? The answer is clear: an out-of-control rat infestation. Today, we’re going to take a deep dive into what is the best rat bait for traps.
When it comes to these unwanted rodents in our homes, rats win in the scream-department every time – they’re bigger, they bite harder and more often, they’re more agile and better climbers, they breed faster and produce bigger litters, and they cause more damage and contamination. Terrifying, we know.
But perhaps the biggest difference of all is that rats are harder to catch than mice. Why’s that? Because while mice tend to nest close to their food sources, rats – with their bigger brains – are smart enough to choose hiding places that are well out of sight and normally well protected from us humans.
What are the 5 best foods for rat traps?
Are you determined to get rid of rats faster than immediately? Let’s explore what makes the best bait for those rat traps:
1. Cheese
Close your eyes and think of a cartoon rat trap. It’s cheese, isn’t it?
Actually, most pest control experts will tell you that there are some other baits that rats are even more attracted to. But don’t worry – if you leave the cheese out of the fridge after making lunch, rats will still sniff it out and gobble it up.
2. Peanut butter
So what’s better than cheese when it comes to the best rat trap bait? That honor probably goes to peanut butter – with its strong smell and high-fat content. And as an added bonus, the stickiness of peanut butter makes it a lot more difficult for a rat to lick it all off before getting whacked by that trap – unlike a simple chunk of cheese.
3. Meat
It’s also important to remember that rats aren’t vegetarian – they definitely like high-protein foods, and meat is at the top of their preferred menu. The honor of the best bait for a rat trap might then be awarded to something smelly and fatty – like bacon and sausage, although anything will do and even raw chicken is a delicious bait for our four-legged foes. A cheaper option, though, is pet food – which rats can sniff out from 50 meters away!
4. Fruit & nuts
Rats also have a healthier palate, though – with a sweet tooth as a twist! That makes pretty much anything from your fruit salad delicious to this dreaded rodent, especially sliced apples, pear, and raisins. And, believe it or not, rats also love nuts such as walnuts and almonds, although they can be more difficult to use in mouse and rat traps.
5. Cereal & grains
Even foods without much of a smell at all are gobbled up by rats, like most grains and cereals – so consider oatmeal, rice, and even dry pet food. These types of food appeal to the rats’ natural foraging instincts, but you can also get a little more creative and try:
- Nutella
- Marshmallows
- Maple syrup
- Licorice
- Cooked pasta
- Popcorn
- Jams.
Don’t forget, rats are canny, cautious, and intelligent – so when they see a rat trap, they might just know what your intentions are. Our hot tip for the day is to consider putting your preferred bait near – but not in – your rat trap for a couple of days before setting it properly so that your otherwise canny pest eventually forgets that it could be about to meet its maker.
You’ll need more than the best rat bait
It’s also crucial to bear in mind that the most effective and lasting pest control in New York is always a combination of various techniques – it’s not solely about figuring out the best foods for rat traps. Altogether, we call this integrated strategy prevention, monitoring, and intervention. Not in New York? With Pest Control Heroes on your side, there’s no need to worry – because we can also connect you with the best Massachusetts pest control services as well! For that matter, whether you need pest control Virginia wide, a Delaware pest control company with a 5-star record, or another top-rated rat-catching pro all across the United States, we’re here to help.
We only work with licensed pest and rodent control experts offering customer service excellence, upfront pricing and 100% workmanship guarantees – so give Pest Control Heroes a try and say goodbye to your stressful rat problem today.
