We Found the Most Effective Traps for Rodent Removal (2024)

Our Top Picks

It’s simple, effective, and humane. That’s why this rat-sized snap trap from Tomcat wins our top spot in the battle against rodents. Many other snap traps have just a thin metal bar to dispatch the rat, but often, the bar doesn’t come down cleanly, and the rat manages to escape. However, instead of a thin bar, the entire top comes snapping down with tremendous force.

The edges of both the top and bottom are serrated, so once caught, it’s nearly impossible for the rodent to wiggle free. You can use your fingers or even your foot to press the back platform down until the trap catches and holds open. While you must always be cautious while setting a snap trap to avoid accidentally snapping it on your finger, this makes the process a little easier and safer.

The bait cup is removable, so you can easily fill it with peanut butter, bacon grease, or other rodent-pleasing foods. Once it’s ready, set the trap in the area where you’ve spotted rats or their signs, such as droppings, chewed wires, or chewed packaging.

The loud snap will alert you when a rat has been caught. You can then hold the trap with the deceased rodent over a trash bin and squeeze the back platform down to open the jaws and release the rat into the trash. Wipe the trap clean, and it’s ready to be used repeatedly until your rodent problem is solved.

_{Trap Type: Snap | Reusable? Yes | Disposal Process: Hands-free}

There are many benefits to an electric rat trap like this one from Owltra. It delivers a powerful electric shock directly to the trapped animal, which kills it almost instantly. That makes this a very humane option, which is especially important if you feel squeamish about dispatching an animal. Plus, because the trap is covered and tunnel-shaped, the deceased rodent is hidden from your view until disposal.

You lure rodents into the tunnel-shaped trap with a smear of peanut butter or other bait on the far side, away from the entrance. Once a rodent enters the trap to reach the bait, it will trigger the two interior infrared sensors, prompting a very powerful electric shock that lasts for 150 seconds. That’s more than adequate to kill the rat, and as it’s almost immediate, it’s very humane.

After dispatching a rat, the trap will beep audibly and flash a green light so you know it’s time to open the lid of the trap and drop the rodent into the trash. You can then wipe the trap clean and set it for reuse.

While not 100% childproof or pet-safe, the design of this trap makes it much more difficult for a curious child or pet to set off the trigger. To operate the trap, you’ll first need to install four C batteries, which are not included. Make sure the trap is set to “Off,” and then open the lid to add bait to the interior bait cup.

_{Trap Type: Electric | Reusable? Yes | Disposal Process: No-touch}

While snap traps are very effective at killing rodents, they have some downsides. Their exposed design makes them unsafe around children or pets, and once a rat is killed, the body is in full view, which can be upsetting for some people. But this tunnel-shaped trap from Tratper solves both problems. It’s a sturdy snap trap with the trigger portion of the trap hidden within a short “tunnel” that encourages the rat to venture inside to access the bait and then keeps it hidden after being killed.

To set the trap, you flip the lock so you can open the lid and fill the bait cup. Then, lock the lid down and squeeze the clamp to set the trap’s trigger. Set the trap in a rodent hotspot and wait for action. The large pedal trigger is very sensitive to a rat’s weight, and once the trap snaps, the serrated edges of the bar make it nearly impossible for the rat to wiggle free.

The trap is 8 inches long, so most rats will be fully contained. To dispose of the rodent, simply open the lid and drop the rat into the trash. You can then clean the trap and reset it for the next use. As with all rat traps, wear gloves while handling them so you don’t get your scent on the trap, which will discourage rats from venturing close.

_{Trap Type: Snap | Reusable? Yes | Disposal Process: No-touch}

Rodent bait stations are typically quite unattractive and can spoil the appearance of your garden, patio, or walkways. However, this unique bait station from Tomcat is designed to resemble a small rock, so you can deal with a rodent problem discreetly. The station comes with 15 blocks of bromethalin, which is a potent rodenticide. Each block of rat bait is sufficient to kill up to three rats.

Keep in mind that the rat will not die immediately. It generally takes a couple of days for a rodent to die after eating the poison, according to the manufacturer. Tomcat sells refills of bait separately. The bait station has a lock to keep it secure from pets or children.

To load the bait, use the included key to open the station, set up up to four blocks of bait on the interior rods, and then close and lock the station. Set the station in a location where you are aware of rodent activity. A small opening at the back of the station is large enough to let mice or rats inside to access the bait.

The station is weather-resistant but should not be submerged in water or set in a spot that puddles. Check regularly to see if the bait has been eaten, and refill the station as needed. Keep the station loaded with bait for at least 10 days or until you no longer see any signs of rat activity in the area.

_{Trap Type: Bait | Reusable? Yes | Disposal Process: Manual}

If you cannot bear the thought of killing rats on your property, you might prefer to catch them in a wire trap, like this one from Kensizer, and then release them a long distance from your home. However, before proceeding, be sure that it’s legal to trap and relocate wildlife in your area. Many cities and some states, including California, ban the relocation of any wildlife by anyone who is not licensed to do so.

These wire traps come in a pack of two. The medium size measures 12 inches in length, 6.5 inches wide, and 5 inches in height, which is big enough to enclose even a large rat. Made of lightweight galvanized steel, the trap is sturdy enough that the rat won’t be able to chew its way free.

To set the trap, you lift the door and set its release catch, and then set some bait on the interior trigger pedal. Once a rat enters the cage in search of the bait and steps on the trigger pedal, the door will immediately shut and lock behind it, preventing it from escaping.

If using these traps in an outdoor or secluded spot, be sure to check them daily. Should you find a trapped rat, you’ll want to relocate and release it as soon as possible. Keep in mind that any trapped wild creature will be fearful and could potentially bite or otherwise cause you harm.

_{Trap Type: Catch and release | Reusable? Yes | Disposal Process: Catch-and-release}

Another way to capture rodents is with glue traps. They are the least humane type on our list and have sticky adhesives to catch your pests. The Catchmaster traps are unique from other glue traps on the market since they have floor anchors, which is a great feature for keeping them in place. Therefore, no matter how hard the rodent tries to escape, the trap will remain still.

Instead of adding peanut butter or other bait to lure in rats, these traps come pre-scented. The bait will also attract other pests, including household roaches, spiders, crickets, and other crawling insects.

However, it's worth mentioning that the rodents won't die immediately, and you'll need to handle their disposal yourself, which can be challenging for some. With that said, these rat traps can last up to one full year. It's best to avoid placing these in a basement or damp space since the humidity can reduce their effectiveness.

_{Trap Type: Glue | Reusable? No | Disposal Process: Manual}

If you are looking for a reasonably priced solution to a rodent problem in your home, garage, or yard, then this pack of twelve snap traps from Victor could be the answer. These are your basic wood-based snap traps with a thin metal wire bar that snaps shut with great force onto the rat’s neck when it ventures across the trigger in search of the bait.

As with similar traps, there can be misses where the rat manages to get the bait and escape without triggering the trap or is caught by a leg or body part other than across the neck. Still, most often, the trap will humanely dispatch the rat with a single snap.

While the trigger plate is pre-baited with a fruit scent, you’ll likely have better results if you add some more bait yourself. Peanut butter is always a top choice, but bacon grease or canned pet food are also good options.

Take care when setting the trap, as you need to use your hand to pull the bar back into place and then attach the catch without accidentally snapping the trap shut across your fingers. The manufacturer recommends setting up numerous traps spaced 2 to 3 feet apart to maximize efficiency.

Once the trap dispatches a rat, you’ll likely want to simply toss the trap and rat into the trash, as it is not easy to open the trap to dump the rodent and clean it for reuse. Of course, disposal requires direct contact, so it's not great for those who can't stomach viewing the dead rodent.

_{Trap Type: Snap | Reusable? No | Disposal Process: Single-use}

Final Verdict

Our top pick, the Tomcat Rat Snap Trap, is a highly effective snap trap that is also easy to set with minimal risk to your fingers. It has a large serrated bar, so trapped rats are very unlikely to wiggle free, and it’s easy to dispose of the rodent without touching it. But if you prefer an electric trap, then we recommend the Owltra Indoor Electric Rat Trap. When rats venture inside this tunnel-shaped trap, they receive a powerful electric shock that kills them almost instantly.

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