Homemade Rat Traps | DIY Rat Traps for a Rodent-Free Home
Did you know a single rat can carry over 35 different diseases? That's right, these unwelcome guests aren't just creepy, they're a serious health hazard. If you've heard scurrying in your walls or spotted droppings around the house, you're not alone.
Rodent infestations are a common problem, but before you reach for the phone to call an exterminator, consider this: there might be a more affordable and potentially more manageable solution right at your fingertips – Homemade Rat Traps.
Trapping a rat at home using DIY methods can be an effective and humane way to address a rodent infestation. By employing simple yet strategic techniques, you can safely capture and remove unwanted pests from your living space.
From selecting the right type of trap to placing it in optimal locations, DIY rat trapping requires careful planning and execution. Let's explore some practical DIY methods for trapping rats and regaining control of your living environment.
Bucket Rat Trap Humane Method
Bucket Trap
A bucket trap is a simple and effective way to humanely capture small animals, such as rats, mice, squirrels or chipmunks, without harming them. Here's how to construct and use a bucket trap:
Materials Needed:
- Bucket
- Long stick or plank
- Weight (optional)
- Bait (e.g., peanut butter, nuts, seeds, or fruit)
- Vegetable oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose a bucket with a smooth interior surface to prevent the animal from climbing out.
- Place the bait at the bottom of the bucket, near the center.
- Lean a long stick or plank against the rim of the bucket, creating a ramp for the animal to climb up.
- If desired, place a weight on the opposite end of the stick to create a teeter-totter effect, causing the animal to fall into the bucket when it reaches the top.
- Lightly coat the interior surface of the bucket with vegetable oil to make it slippery and prevent the animal from climbing out.
- Place the trap in an area where you have observed the animal's activity, such as near a food source or nesting site.
- Check the trap frequently and release the animal in a suitable location away from human activity.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to construct
- Reusable
- Humane
Cons:
- Requires frequent checking
- Potential drowning hazard (mitigation tip: add a wire mesh platform for the animal to stand on)
Remember to always handle trapped animals with care and release them in a safe location away from potential threats or hazards.
Bucket Rat Trap With Water
The bucket trap with water is an effective, inexpensive way to catch rats without using poisons or having to handle them directly. With some basic materials and proper placement, it can help eliminate a rat problem around your home.
How to make bucket rat trap?
- Obtain a 5-gallon bucket and fill it about 1/3 full with water. The water level should be deep enough that the rat cannot stand on the bottom and jump out, but not so deep that it can reach the rim.
- Create a ramp or platform for the rat to climb up to the top of the bucket. This could be a short piece of wood, pipe, or even a stick. Position the ramp so it extends over the edge of the bucket.
- Bait the trap by smearing peanut butter, bacon grease, or other strong-smelling food on the underside of the rim of the bucket, just above the water line. The scent will attract the rat to climb up the ramp.
- Optionally, you can add a layer of vegetable oil on top of the water. The oil will make it very difficult for the rat to climb out once it falls in.
- Place the baited bucket trap in an area where you have seen signs of rat activity, such as along walls or near their entry points. Make sure the ramp is positioned so the rat will naturally climb up and over the edge.
- Check the trap frequently and dispose of any caught rats humanely. If multiple rats are caught, they may drown each other, so it's important to check the trap regularly.
The Havahart X-Small 1-Door Trap Model #0745 is a professional-style live rodent trap designed for capturing small rodents like chipmunks, squirrels, rats, and weasels.
Havahart rat traps are a popular store-bought option for catching rats. These traps are designed to be reusable and are known for their humane approach to trapping rodents.
Key Features:
- Gravity-action guillotine door for simple setting and releasing of the trap.
- Sturdy handle guard prevents contact with the trapped animal.
- Smooth, rolled internal trap edges to prevent injury to the animal.
- Constructed with galvanized steel mesh for durability and rust resistance.
- Sensitive trip plate allows even light animals to trigger the trap.
- Dimensions of 16" x 6" x 6" and weighs 3.25 lbs.
The HASTHIP® Mouse Trap is a reusable, humane trap designed to catch mice without harming them. Made from durable ABS plastic, it features a flipping lid mechanism that locks the mouse inside once triggered .
The water bottle rat trap is a humane way to catch rats without harming them, allowing you to release them safely away from your property
To make a humane rat trap using a water bottle, you can follow these steps:
-
Materials Needed:
- Plastic water bottle
- Two pencils or sticks
- Two rubber bands
- Paper clip
- Thread
- Scissors
- Hobby knife or box cutter
-
Construction Steps:
- Step 1: Remove the label from the water bottle.
- Step 2: Cut the bottle across one-third of its height from the top, leaving at least 25% for making the hinge.
- Step 3: Make holes on the shorter and longer parts of the bottle, diametrically opposite each other.
- Step 4: Insert a pencil into the holes on the short part and another pencil into the holes on the long part.
- Step 5: Cut a piece of thread and make a loop at one end.
- Step 6: Attach a small piece of food to a paper clip and insert it into a small hole at the bottom of the bottle.
- Step 7: Tie the thread to the bottle cap and insert the paper clip into the small hole.
- Step 8: Tie rubber bands on the pencils to create tension.
- Step 9: Place the thread loop on the paper clip and ensure stability.
- Step 10: Place the trap along a wall or in areas where rats frequent, with food near the bottle opening.
- Step 11: When the rat enters the bottle to eat the food on the paper clip, the bottle will snap closed, trapping the rat inside.
- Step 12: Once trapped, carry the bottle far away from your home and release the rat.
The bowl oil mouse trap involves using a bowl filled with peanut oil to catch rodents. This method has gained attention online, with videos showcasing its effectiveness in catching mice.
The trap works by luring the rodents into the bowl of oil, where they become trapped due to the slippery surface. While some find this method efficient, others caution that it can be stressful for the mice.
Steps to set up a bowl of oil mouse trap:
- Choose a shallow bowl and fill it with about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil or peanut oil. The oil should be deep enough to prevent the mouse from climbing out, but not too deep that the mouse will drown immediately.
- Place the bowl in areas where you have noticed mouse activity, such as along walls, near entry points, or in places with signs of mouse droppings. Make sure the bowl is stable and won't tip over.
- Monitor the trap regularly and check for any trapped mice. If a mouse is caught, you can dispose of it humanely or release it if desired.
- Refill the oil as needed to maintain the proper level. The oil may need to be changed if it becomes dirty or contaminated.
- Use a shallow bowl, about 6-8 inches in diameter, to make it easier for the mouse to fall in .
- Avoid using deep bowls or containers, as the mouse may be able to climb out .
- Place the bowl in a location where it won't be disturbed by pets or children .
- Check the trap regularly, at least once a day, to ensure any caught mice are dealt with promptly .