This rat is less of a climber so traps should be placed in hidden areas along walls in dark corners etc.
Roof rat trap placement.
These areas may include darkened corners along walls behind appliances and objects and all areas where droppings are evident.
Because they prefer to be high in the air these rodents may climb on power lines or tree branches to get on the roof.
When the traps are set check back every 1 2 days to collect the rats and set new traps.
Place rat traps in high activity areas of the rat colony.
As its name indicates this rat is most likely to be found in higher places and upper levels of the home.
Place your loaded and baited snap traps along high rafters and in places where you ve noticed rat activity like chewing or tunneling.
The most common trapping mistake is using too few traps.
Only the hungriest and weakest rats will venture out to the examine the bait in a trap in the middle of a room.
The rats will either die outside or in a trap placed inside the bait station instead of dying in your home.
Tamper resistant bait stations can be effectively placed at the bases of trees and buildings to entice the roof rat to feed instead of seeking food sources further out.
When they are scared is when they tend to scurry and branch off from the walls.
Thus traps should be placed off the ground in the attic rafters of the garage on shelves and ledges.
Since rats need to touch surfaces as they move place them accordingly.
For heavier rat infestations set the rat bait closer to 15 feet measurement.
Roof rats can fit through holes as small as one half inch in diameter.
The most important technique for effective trapping is good trap placement in areas of high rodent activity.
Choose the right place for your trap.
Statistics show that more rodents are trapped on the first night than on any other night.
Probably the worst placement of a rat trap is under a light fixture in the middle of a room.
They have very poor vision so they use the walls to guide them to the areas they inhabit.
Try to place rat bait near their harboring areas.
Rats are thigmophilic that is they like to be touching a surface as they move.
This is where you will catch them.
Because they prefer to be high in the air these rodents may climb on power lines or tree branches to get on the roof.
Roof rats may sometimes rest in the tops of trees or buildings thus the name roof rat traveling to the ground at night for food.
Bait is placed in bait stations to keep other wildlife safe and to help prevent rain from molding the bait.
Always be sure there is fresh bait available until the rats stop feeding.
Place rat traps spaced from 15 20 feet apart.
Step 2 placing the rat traps.
Pre bait the traps without setting the traps to encourage the rats to the traps.
After placement of rat bait stations avoid moving them.
Roof rats like other species of rats and mice follow along walls.