Electric Rat Traps?

[Ceylon_Star]

My barn owner is having some problems with GIANT rats in the basement of her house. So far (knock on wood) they haven’t found their way up the hill to the barn. The traditional style that snaps down to (theoretically) break their neck isn’t enough for these buggers, and with dogs and a cat in the house she doesn’t feel safe using poison.

She saw one at the local feed store that plugs into the wall and electrocutes the rat when it enters the “house” (body of the trap), but she isn’t sure if it would be the most effective.

Has anyone used one? If they’re effective, a few of us (boarders) might chip in and get her a couple.

[Ghazzu]

I’ve used a battery operated trap with some success.

[MistyBlue]

Last place I boarded years ago bought a couple Rat Zappers.
They worked really well! You have to check them often, and empty if the light is blinking. Rats and mice are smart and learn fast if they see dead rodents in the traps.
They were pretty much instantaneous, clean and no worries about poison or pets around them.
Check and change the batteries on schedule. They weren’t really big, I’ve seen some HUGE barn rats ages ago in the barn when I was a kid and that barn owner had barn dogs for them. Not cats, not sure cats could have killed those, LOL! I don’t think those monster ones would fit in them, but I also don’t know if they have different sized zappers.

[sporthorseconnect]

I have used these also. I like them because they are the most humane. They are quick. I really don’t like to kill mice and rats, but I know its necessary because they get out of hand and can take over your barn. These are the best solution that I have found so far.

…Giant Rats…yikes!!

[Jim_in_PA]

We’ve used the battery powered ones with success for mice, including the rat-size version.

[Shammy_Davis]

I use the “tried and true” method of barn cats, but there are “glue boards” that work well also. I use them for crawling insects but I’ve caught a few rhodents in the mix. I know are coop sells rhodent sturdy glue boards, so wouldn’t be surprised to learn that feed stores, TSC, Lowe’s, and Home Depot have them.

I get my insect quality glue boards at Walmart. They may also provide the rhodent quality boards also.

Here’s a link that has some broader comments on the subject of glue boards. As you can see, it also has some products that you can use to customize your approach to the problem.

http://store.doyourownpestcontrol.com/rodents-animals-control-products/mouse-control-products/mouse-glue-boards-traps#continue

My wife just advised me that “rat” quality glue boards are available at some of the above listed stores. Search “rat glue boards.”

This might give you some ideas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF2It9T8Zg4

[Veronica23682368]

They do work…we use them in the house under a counter next to the dishwasher…we don’t have rats, but we do have the little field mice. I don’t like killing things either, but I can’t have them running around in the house either. I feel that it is the most humane way to go…it’s quick and they don’t seem to suffer like they would do with the glue things or snap traps that don’t quite work, or even cats.

For me everything has a little life, and ending one hurts my heart, but I try to do it in the most responsible way that I can.

[Mango20]

I recently bought a Mouse Zapper based on reviews of the Rat Zapper on these boards. It works great! I got mine at Home Depot.