Rat Bait Debate

Although there is some consensus among pest control technicians about the effectiveness of various baits in attracting rodents to traps, the issue is still up for some discussion. Homeowners may be interested in knowing, if they don't already, that the stereotypical chunk of cheese is not necessarily the best bait to use. 

First, a discussion of the traps themselves. At Centurion, we have found sticky traps to be most effective when targeting mice, and snap traps most effective against rats. Mice are often so light in weight that they can take bait from a snap trap without triggering the mechanism. Rats are just big enough that they may be able to escape from a sticky trap. So it is important to determine which size rodent you want to target. The best way to make that determination is of course by visual observation. But if you are hearing noise in the attic, chances are good your intruders are bigger than mice. Rodent control may include using poisonous baits, traps, and exclusion. Since poisonous baits are not only dangerous to use but also may result in rodents dying in wall voids, we believe the most successful approach is with traps and exclusion, or sealing out the unwanted guests. We look for points of entry, then seal or screen those points as a critical step in limiting the number of rodents. Next, the traps are set.

In a recent poll of pest professionals nationwide, a majority of the respondents indicated peanut butter as a bait of choice in setting traps. Whether used in a small amount in the center of a glueboard, or applied to the trigger mechanism of a snap trap, peanut butter is a good choice. Other pest control professionals polled utilized a huge variety of baits, including marshmallows, dried fruit, corn chips, walnuts, chocolate, even dried shrimp or strawberry jam. One professional even mixed up his own bait using molasses and bird seed. The idea is that rodents are always foraging for food. Bait is designed to attract the rodent to the trap - and thus exclude it from the house. Rats and mice eat just about anything. But the debate continues, as some professionals feel bait is unnecessary. It is true that placement of the trap - directly in the area where rodents are most likely to run - is critical. Baits don't always attract rodents, but they are useful in catching them once vermin encounter the trap. So the great bait debate goes on. For more information on rat and mouse control, try taking tomorrow's Rodent Quiz. See how you do, and check your answers on Wednesday. The more we know about what's bugging us, the more effective we will be.