Discovering rats in your home, garden, or garage can be upsetting. These rats are not only occupying your property, but they likely could start causing damage if they haven’t already.
“Inside a home, rats leave droppings that are larger and darker than those of mice, and they chew on wood, wires, and plastic,” says Kathryn Dench, M.A., VetMB, veterinarian and chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins. If they're outside, they can create burrows near structures or dense vegetation and gnaw on outdoor furniture, fences, or plants.
If you decide to tackle a rat invasion yourself, you’ll need rat-sized traps, as traps geared toward mice are usually too small. Snap traps are effective but must be placed carefully to avoid accidental injury to pets or children. Glue traps are less effective and pose humane concerns, while electronic traps offer a quick, clean kill and are safer around pets and kids.
Whatever type of trap you choose should be durable, particularly if you plan on reusing it. Traps that will be used outdoors need to be weather-resistant, and any trap used in a home where pets or children live should be tamper-resistant and have some tunnel or enclosure over the trap’s trigger and bait areas.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Best Electronic::
Best for Outdoors:
Best Catch and Release:
Best Glue Trap:
What We Like
Serrated edges keep the rodent from escaping
Removable bait cup
Easy to set without endangering fingers
What We Don't Like
Trap is exposed to pets or children
Deceased rodent in full view
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
What We Like
Quick and humane
Covered design is safer for pets and children
Blinking alert after the trap triggers
What We Don't Like
Batteries not included
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
What We Like
Covered design hides the dispatched rat
Trigger is out of reach of children or pets
What We Don't Like
No indicator when a rodent is inside
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
What We Like
Discreet rock-like design
Lock keeps out pets and kids
Easy to use
What We Don't Like
Rodent will not die immediately
You’ll need to find and dispose of the dead rat
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
What We Like
Sturdy construction
Set of two traps
What We Don't Like
Relocating wildlife is not legal in all areas
Exposure to live rat
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
What We Like
Includes multiple trays
Has floor anchors
Easy to use
What We Don't Like
Not reusable
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
What We Like
Comes in a pack of twelve
Scented trigger plate
Effective when trap snaps onto rat’s neck
What We Don't Like
Easy to snap on fingers while setting
Dispatched rodent in full view
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.
What to Look For
Types of Rat Traps
- Snap traps are what typically come to mind when you think of a rat or mouse trap. Our best overall pick, the Tomcat Rat Snap Trap, is a snap trap. These simple devices have a lid or bar attached to a trigger. When the rodent steps on the trigger to access the bait, the rod snaps down onto its neck with great force, dispatching it almost instantly.
- Bait stations like the Tomcat Rockscape Bait Station hold blocks or tabs of rodenticide, which are poisons that generally kill a rat or mouse within a few days of consumption. A small opening allows rodents to venture inside in search of the bait. (Bait stations normally have a lock to keep children out.) While you will not have immediate results using a bait station and rodenticide, they can effectively eliminate a large rodent infestation.
- Electric rat traps are a very effective and humane option. These devices have a tunnel-like shape that the rat must enter to reach the bait. Sensors inside the trap detect the rat’s movements and trigger a powerful electrical shock, killing the rat almost instantly. Our top pick for an electric rat trap is the Owltra Indoor Electric Rat Trap.
- Covered rat traps are snap traps with a tunnel-shaped cover that encloses the trigger and rod. This makes these traps safer in homes with children or pets and also helps conceal the body of the dispatched rodent. These traps are humane and effective at dealing with pest problems. We especially like the Tratper Tunnel Dual-Entry Rat & Mouse Trap.
- Glue traps, like the Catchmaster Rat Traps, consist of a flat platform covered with very sticky glue. When a rodent or other animal walks onto the glue, it becomes stuck and cannot escape. At that point, you must dispatch the rodent yourself or leave it for several days until it starves or dies of thirst. This is one of the least humane options and also one of the most disturbing for squeamish people.
- Catch-and-release traps are small cages with a trigger that attaches to the door. When a rodent enters the cage searching for the bait, the door drops behind it, locking the rat inside the trap. If you live in an area where it is legal to trap and relocate wildlife, you can then release the unharmed rat a long distance from your home. We recommend the Kensizer Humane Live Trap.
Durable Materials and Construction
You don’t want a rat trap to fall apart once it catches a rodent. Look for sturdy construction that can withstand the powerful snap of the trap or the struggles of the caught rat. Sturdy plastic generally holds up well and is commonly used to make all types of traps.
Avoid snap traps with very thin bars, as these are more likely to injure your fingers while setting them or injure the rat without killing it. If you are going to use the trap outdoors, be sure it is weather-proof and without exposed metal components that might rust in the rain or dew.
Design of the Rat Trap
Rat traps have a basic function—lure and dispatch rats. However, their baits can also be appealing to pets, and children can pick up or play with a trap, thinking that it’s a toy. That means that if you have pets or kids, you’ll need to choose traps that are as safe as possible. Generally, covered traps and electric traps, including the Owltra Indoor Electric Rat Trap, are the most resistant to unwanted tampering, while exposed snap traps and glue traps are the least safe options.
You’ll also want to consider how easy it is to place the bait. Most snap traps and electric traps have a bait cup that can be filled with peanut butter or another rat-appealing food. If you are using a bait station, you’ll need to check inside regularly to see if the bait is still there, and if not, replace it.
Most rat traps are reusable, but you’ll need to clean the trap after each use. Inexpensive snap traps and glue traps, like the Catchmaster Rat Traps, are usually disposable, though.
Placement Options
Even the best trap won’t work if it’s not placed in a spot where rats will access it. You should place traps in areas where you’ve seen signs of rat activity or seen rats themselves.
Dench recommends placing traps along walls, near food sources such as kitchens and pantries, and in dark corners like closets, basements, and attics. If the trap is set outdoors, it should be near burrows, along runways, and in protected areas under bushes, decks, or other sheltered spots.
Why Trust The Spruce
Michelle Ullman is a commerce writer for The Spruce who specializes in home improvement products, including tools and landscaping supplies. For this roundup, she considered dozens of rat traps, evaluating each for effectiveness, ease of use, humaneness, squeamishness factor, and overall value. She also considered both positive and negative feedback from customers, as well as reviews and information on various pest control websites.
She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. She’s also an avid gardener, and loves to spend time caring for her garden and many potted plants, both indoors and outside.
Our Experts:
- Kathryn Dench, M.A., VetMB, veterinarian and chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins
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