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Welcome to Monederosmart, where you will always find valuable information to make the best purchase of all kinds of items. This time we bring you everything you need to know to buy the ideal rat trap for your pest situation.
We have all seen these traps in movies, cartoons or in shopping mall car parks at one time or another. However, you may never have felt the need to buy one, until now.
We want to help you safely solve this problem at the root. Rest assured that you are in the right place to get all the information you need to buy the best rat trap for you. Read on to clear up all your doubts.
Summary
- Rat traps have been used throughout the world for many years. They have helped in an increasingly sophisticated way to combat the problem that rodents can pose to our health in an effective and simple way.
- There are different types of rat traps, but the most common are snare traps, box traps and electric rat traps. Each serves the same purpose but has very specific characteristics. We will discuss each of them in more depth below.
- There are some important factors to consider before buying the right rat trap for you. From safety, to how to release the rodent, to animal ethics, we are sure that by the end of reading this guide you will have a very broad overview to make the best buying decision.
The Best Rat Traps: Our Picks
Buying guide: What you need to know about rat traps
It would seem that all rat traps are the same and perform their function in the same way, but the mechanisms of action are very different. We want to help you choose the best rat trap, so read on to find out the main features of these products.
What is a rat trap and what are its advantages?
The subject of pest control has always been controversial because sometimes it is inevitable that the measure we are taking to solve one problem may create a new one. It is very common to have accidents with these rat traps and it is also common for other types of animals, such as pets, to be trapped.
We want to help you decide if a rat trap is the right product for you by helping you consider the advantages and disadvantages of using a rat trap. Below we will discuss the types of rat traps you can find on the market to eliminate rodents from your home or workplace.
Trap, electric, glue or box traps – what should you look out for?
Basically the main difference is that electric and snap traps kill the rodent, while box traps are designed to trap the rodent without killing it. How you eliminate the pest is entirely up to you.
Snare trap. This is the classic cartoon trap, but now there are more sophisticated models. The principle is simple: you put a bait in the trap cup, activate the spring and wait for the rodent to fall in and die instantly. Then all you have to do is release the mechanism and dispose of the carcass.
Box trap. In this type of trap, the bait is placed in a cup inside a cage. Once the rodent activates it, the cage door closes and you can proceed to release it away from your home or workspace. Note that you must do this as soon as the rodent falls in because it can die of dehydration in a short time.
Electric trap. This trap works in a similar way to the box trap, as the rodent is also lured into a cage. The difference is that instead of closing the door when the rodent enters, it receives an electric shock that kills it instantly. Once this happens all you have to do is dispose of the carcass.
Glue trap. These traps are usually cheaper, however it takes a long time for the rodent to die and too much unnecessary suffering is caused.
Also, with this type of trap it is even more likely that other animals such as birds, lizards, butterflies or small cats will be trapped.
The glue is so strong that the only way to free the animal is to tear out its fur, and they often lose body parts in the process. We recommend that you do not use this type of trap as far as possible.
| Snare trap | Box trap | Electric trap | Glue trap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Asphyxiates the rodent | Traps the rodent | Electrocutes the rodent | Glues the rodent |
| Effectiveness | High | High | High | High |
| Safety | May cause accidents and undesirable results | Safer for humans and animals | Although the discharge occurs inside the cage, precautions must be taken | Prolonged contact with the glue may cause injury |
Purchasing criteria
The following is a detailed description of the different factors that will help you decide which rat trap is right for you. We are sure that after reading this section you will be ready to make your purchase.
Security
It is very important to take into account the safety systems, or lack of them, that rat traps have. We recommend that you check the safety mechanism of the trap you are interested in in the product description or directly with the manufacturer. Here are some safety measures depending on the type of trap.
Trap traps. Because the mechanism of this type of trap is very sensitive, any subtle movement can trigger it and cause an accident. Some modern snare traps have a removable compartment at the bottom to place the bait without risking your hands. This measure is highly recommended.
Box traps. Box traps are quite safe and it is virtually impossible for them to cause accidents. However, be sure not to stick your fingers in once the rodent is trapped and avoid any bites.
Electric traps. In this case it is also important that you do not insert your fingers before or after you have trapped the rodent. And once you have trapped the rodent, remember to unplug the device to avoid another electric shock.
Glue trap. In this case it is very important that under no circumstances touch the glue, as it is extremely strong and can tear your skin. Make sure your pets are out of the area where you will be placing these traps.
Animal ethics
At this point we want to address the importance of animal ethics. We definitely need to get rid of rodents in our environment because they can put our health at risk, but we don’t necessarily have to kill them. If you have the possibility to get traps that allow the rodent to be released afterwards, that would be the best thing to do.
However, if you have no choice but to get rid of the rodent by killing it, make sure you get traps that do their job instantly. Avoid at all costs the use of glue traps which cause unnecessary suffering to the rodent by killing it slowly and painfully.
Even major international organisations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) have come out strongly against the use of glue traps. Always check in the product description how much the rodent is ensured a death without suffering.
Release of the rodent
Cage trap. The release of the live animal with this type of trap is very simple. You only need to open the door of the box once the rodent is trapped and that’s it. You can release it in an open place away from your space, but remember to do it as soon as possible so that the rodent does not die of starvation or dehydration while trapped.
Snare trap. These traps are a little more laborious in the release process, but it is also simple. Simply release the mechanism (without touching the rodent) and dispose of the carcass by burying it if possible. Remember that it is important to wash the trap jaw with disinfectant to avoid bad odours and to be able to reuse the trap.
Electric trap. This works in the same way as releasing mice from cage traps, only the rodent will already be dead. Be sure to unplug the trap before removing the animal and bury it at a good depth if possible.
Other alternatives
There are always other options for dealing with pest problems in your home or workplace. Below is a list of some of the most common, along with a brief discussion of each.
Cats. Cats are natural hunters and usually having one in the house ensures a rodent-free space. They are also excellent company and don’t need a lot of care as they are extremely independent animals.
Rat poison. Some people prefer to opt for some form of rodent poison combined with some bait. Due to their high degree of toxicity, you should be very careful when using this type of product, especially if you have pets or small children.
Homemade traps. Another good alternative to save yourself some money is to build your own rat trap. You don’t need to get new, specialised materials, in fact they can be made from recycled items. Here is a tutorial that will give you a good idea.
(Featured Image Source: Anirut Rassameesritrakool/ 123rf.com)
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