Rats have got to be one of the most pervasive pests. Though they are unwelcome, they will still invade our property since they are dependent to human. To successfully eliminate the rats, the best way to do it is to use a trap. However, the trap will only be effective if you use the right bait. People will normally place cheese, bacon and peanut butter on their traps. The success on trapping the rat depends on the type of rat that you want to catch. Here are some of the tips that you need to keep in mind to determine the right type of bait for your trap.

Identify Your Rat

There are different types of rat, and each of them prefers different baits. To catch a rat on the trap, you need to identify your rat first. The Norway rat that originated in the Northern region of China also known as the sewer rat, wharf rat, water rat, house rat, gray rat, common rat, barn rat and brown rat, can be found in the different parts of US and some parts of Canada who are experiencing a warmer climate. The Norway rat can grow up to 16 inches. They have grayish-brown or brown fur with blunt nose and small ears. They also have a relatively short tail compared to the length of their body. They are not picky with the things they eat, and they can also survive extreme weather condition.

The black rat is apparently also called as house rat, ship rat, and roof rat. This originated in the tropical region of Asia. They now invaded parts of the United States and Gulf Coast. They are also found in the coastal areas of Australia and the northern part of the New Zealand. They can grow up to 12 inches which is relatively smaller compared to the Norway rat. Their tails are longer than the total length of their body. They have pointy nose and large ears. As opposed to the Norway rat who prefers to live on lower grounds, the black rat will choose to stay in our attic.

Choosing the Bait

After successfully identifying the type of rat in your property, you may now look for the right bait. The black rats love vegetables. Brown rat, on the other hand, will prefer meat and plant-based food. In case there are different types of rat, it is wiser to use plant-based food such as peanut butter. For the brown rats, some of the proven effective bait includes slices of sausage and hotdog, peanut butter, gumdrops, dried fruits, chocolate, and bacon. On the other hand, the black rat will love the taste of snails, nuts, insects, dried fruit, and berries.

In addition, the food needs the scent of carbon disulphide to encourage the rat to eat the bait. Carbon disulphide can be found in the breath of the rat. After the rat takes your bait, it is highly likely that other rats will also take your bait. Stinky smells also tend to attract rats.

Read the How to get rid of rats page for helpful information and to learn more about What is the Best Bait to Trap a Rat?