Where humans go, rats follow. The harsh climate of Las Vegas may not seem like the ideal settling spot for rodents, but the truth is we have quite a large rat population right here in Sin City. Norway (brown) rats like to infest the ground floors of homes, settling into untouched areas like storage containers filled with seasonal decorations. Roof rats scurry along the tops of trees and attics, making their homes on your roof. It’s possible to live your entire life in Las Vegas without ever seeing a rodent, but you may not get that lucky. Densely populated areas around the Strip, downtown, or newly built Henderson home developments are particularly attractive to rats. Anywhere humans are, rodents will be. We’ve put together our list of most effective traps for these rodents so you can be prepared if you find yourself dealing with an infestation.
Types of Effective Rodent Traps
There are two main types of rodent traps: mouse and rat. Mousetraps are small and usually made with some form of spring-loaded wire or clamp. When the mouse stands on it, it snaps shut and usually immediately kills the rodent. Unfortunately, these don’t work for rats; rats are too large to be taken out by a lightweight trap and can be eradicated using rat traps. There are three subtypes of effective rat traps: snap traps, glue traps, and live animal traps. Note that all rat traps will likely also work on mice, but they may be considered overkill for the common house mouse.
How Does Each Rodent Trap Work?
So you’ve got a rodent to take down. You can choose a snap trap, glue trap, or live animal trap. Each works differently to remove your rodent problem. Snap traps are what you likely think of when you think of mousetrap. They have a plate, usually baited with some tasty food scrap a rodent is unlikely to resist, and a spring-loaded ‘snap’ attached to the plate. When the rodent moves onto the plate, the change in weight springs the trap, and it crunches down on the rodent. Glue traps also use a tasty morsel to lure the rodent in but instead of a quick killing snap the glue will hold the rodent to the trap, effectively catching it. The last version is the live animal trap. This is a full cage with a one-way door. The rat goes through the door, and it springs up, catching the rodent inside.
Pros And Cons Of The Various Available Rodent Traps
Removing a rodent infestation can be a messy business and should be handled by either a professional or a homeowner with a strong stomach. The most humane way to remove rats is with a live animal trap, where they’re simply caught in a small cage. This leaves the rat unharmed, safe to release outside. The downside of this method is twofold; for one thing, the rat can return. It is a slow process and unlikely to completely get rid of the infestation. Using a snap or glue trap will be more effective. Snap traps are quick and usually painless deaths for the rodents but can get gory for the homeowner. Rats are also incredibly intelligent and may learn to avoid the traps if they see their brethren falling victim. Glue traps are effective in catching multiple rats during big infestations but are considered cruel by some as it forces the rat to starve to death.
Choosing The Most Effective Rodent Trap for You
Picking a rodent trap to go with isn’t an easy task. You want to be humane but effective. Don’t spend too much money, but make sure to get enough supplies to eradicate the problem. Use a safe method that won’t accidentally catch pets or kids, but will catch a rat. The list of considerations can go on. Unless you feel 100% confident with your pest control skills, it’s likely better to leave eradicating a rat infestation to a professional. We can handle even a large infestation in a humane but efficient manner, using top-rated products and methods.
For more common pests and other related pest tips, please contact Dr. Death Pest Control.