The Best Rat Traps for Pest Control

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Put an end to a rat infestation plaguing your home with one of the top rat traps on the market.

If you see tiny droppings in the cupboard and hear scratching noises in the walls, you may have a rodent problem. Mice and rats invade some 14.8 million U.S. homes each year, according to the U.S. Census. Rats infiltrate food supplies, make nests in closets, and open the home up to a host of health risks.

With about 1 out of 10 American homes reporting having seen a rodent in their residence at some point in the past year, the good news is that there are plenty of options for combating this invasion. Manufacturers offer many effective solutions—both lethal and nonlethal—to solve a rodent infestation problem.

Read on to learn more about rodent control methods, and don’t miss our list to find some of the best rat traps on the market to suit your needs.

1. BEST OVERALL: Gingbau Humane Rat Trap
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Tomcat Rat Snap Trap
3. BEST ELECTRONIC: Victor Rat Zapper Classic Rat Trap
4. BEST WOODEN: Victor Wide Pedal Rat Traps
5. BEST GLUE: Catchmaster Heavy-Duty Rat & Mouse Glue Traps 
6. BEST FOR MULTIPLE RATS: Rugged Ranch Ratinator Rat Trap
7. BEST NONTOXIC BAIT: EcoClear Products RatX Pellets 
8. BEST KID-SAFE: UCatch SuperSafes Dual-Entry Rat Trap

How We Chose the Best Rat Traps

To help guide our research, we reached out to several pest control experts to get their professional advice on the best types of traps to consider. Tim Sherrer, owner of Expest Exterminating in Athens, Georgia, says, “Identification of the type of rat or rodent is very important when considering control options. Larger rats will require a heavy-duty snap trap, while glue boards may not hold a larger rat.”

With this in mind, our curated list of rat traps covers the range of trap types available in the market, including glue, snap, catch-and-release, bait, and electronic traps and zappers. We looked at several contenders in each category to find the best in their respective fields in terms of performance, ease of use, and price.

All of our recommendations are among the most effective at their specific job, so this list provides shoppers with a faster way to find the style of trap that best suits their needs. We made sure to provide solutions for a range of infestation sizes, as well as options for those who prefer a more humane way of dealing with rats.

We know that dealing with and disposing of dead rats is certainly not a job for everyone, so we have included a few picks that keep the rodents out of sight and can be disposed of without touching or seeing them.

Lastly, we spoke with Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention in Charlotte, North Carolina, who provided an expert’s insight on which type of bait is best to use once you’ve decided on the type of trap. “The best baits are those that are both enticing and require some effort to remove, like peanut butter, soft cheese, or a small piece of hot dog, which will stick to the trigger plate, making it more likely to activate when eaten. Ensure the bait is securely attached so that rats can’t nibble it off without springing the trap.”

Our Top Picks

Our list of top-performing products addresses typical household rodent problems using both lethal and nonlethal methods, including traps from some of the best-known names in the pest control industry.

Best Overall

Gingbau Humane Rat Trap

Product Specs

• Type: Live-animal cage
• Disposal method: Catch and release
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Simple setup; suitable for novices as well as professionals
• Easy to clean; the metal build allows for wiping or rinsing
• Lightweight and easy to transport if required; ideal for animal rescues or pest control

Cons

• Trigger may not engage for smaller rats; may not be ideal for some users’ needs

Catch live rats and mice, and then humanely relocate them with this trap from Gingbau. This model is constructed of a sturdy galvanized steel, making it ideal for outdoor use. Setup is easy with detailed instructions included for setting the trap. At 10.5 inches long, 5.6 inches wide, and 4.4 inches high, this trap is perfect for catching mice and rats. It’s not large enough to catch larger creatures, such as the neighbor’s adult cat, by mistake.

This cage includes a bait hook at the rear of the cage with a pressure-sensitive pedal under it. When the rodent applies weight to the pedal, it activates an arm bar, which causes the door to close and lock, trapping the animal. This reusable rat and mouse trap weighs less than 1 pound, making transporting the rodent easy.

Get the Gingbau rat trap at Amazon.

Best Bang for the Buck

Tomcat Rat Snap Trap

Product Specs

• Type: Snap trap
• Disposal method: Manual removal
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Reusable design is ideal for household pest control as well as professional use
• Kills instantly; snap closure is effective and reliable
• Rats are highly unlikely to escape after the trap has been set off

Cons

• Requires manual disposal of the dead rat, which could upset some users

When setting up outdoor traps, the target is likely something bigger than a mouse. This snap trap from rat-catching specialist Tomcat is a safe and easy-to-use indoor/outdoor trap capable of taking down rats. At 6 inches long, 4.25 inches wide, and 2 inches high, this Tomcat snap trap is big enough to handle larger rodents.

This trap uses a new snap style that has the appearance of an open set of jaws. Once the rat begins eating bait from the pressure plate, the jaws snap shut and suffocate the rat using a powerful spring.

Unlike traditional traps, the Tomcat Rat Snap Trap can be safely set by hand or foot without the need to put fingers in harm’s way. These rust-resistant metal and plastic traps are easier to clean than traditional wood versions.

Get the Tomcat rat trap at Amazon or Tractor Supply Co. 

Best Electronic

Victor Rat Zapper Classic Rat Trap

Product Specs

• Type: Electronic trap
• Disposal method: Hands-free; dead rat hidden from view
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Considered a more humane method of getting rid of rats
• Dead rats is hidden from view; ideal for homes with pets or children running around
• User can dispose of rats without touching them for safety

Cons

• May be difficult to clean inside the trap after use

The rat won’t know what hit it with the Rat Zapper Classic. This tunnel-shaped trap is 12 inches long, 4.5 inches wide, and 4.3 inches high—roomy for larger rodents. When the offending rodent enters the tunnel and steps on the metal plates inside this trap, it completes an electric circuit that sends a high-voltage shock through its body for a quick and humane end.

This trap requires four AA batteries, which supply enough power to kill 20 rats. A convenient LED light flashes red to let users know when it has claimed a victim, and a kill chamber that allows a user to dump the rat without having to touch or even look at it, which makes disposal less cringe-worthy. This trap is suitable for indoor use only.

Get the Victor Rat Zapper rat trap at Amazon.

Best Wooden

Victor Wide Pedal Rat Traps

Product Specs 

• Type: Snap trap
• Disposal method: Manual removal or throw away rat and trap
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Large pedal provides a lot of surface area for attracting and catching rats
• 2 settings to choose from; can be set to firm or sensitive depending on individual users’ preferences
• Environmentally friendly construction; wood is sourced from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified forests
• Can be reused if desired, or the rat can be thrown away with the trap

Cons

• May not be safe for homes with children and pets

Wooden rat traps may be a bit old-fashioned, but there is something to be said about an old reliable option like the Victor Wide Pedal rat trap. This two-pack of Victor rat traps is made with a wide pedal that snaps the trap closed at the first sign of motion, and the wood is made from environmentally responsible materials in the U.S. from FSC-certified forests. These wooden traps also have a firm or sensitive setting depending on the given user’s preference for rodent control.

Depending on the size of the property or rat activity, these Victor rat traps come in packs of two or four and are easy to set up. The only downside of these wooden traps is that they may not be safe for homes with children and pets running around.

Get the Victor Wide Pedal rat trap at Amazon, The Home Depot (12-pack), or Walmart.

Best Glue

Catchmaster Heavy-Duty Rat & Mouse Glue Traps

Product Specs

• Type: Glue trap
• Disposal method: Trap thrown away with the rat
• Reusable? No

Pros

• Multiple traps included for effective household or professional pest control
• Effective up to 1 year for reliability and ease of use
• Comes with floor anchors to prevent pets or children from picking up the dead rats

Cons

• Manual and hands-on disposal method is not for the faint of heart
• Not reusable; may not be ideal for larger infestations

These trays from Catchmaster include glue-style traps that are nontoxic and safe for use around children and pets. The powerful glue traps rats and mice that walk over them, allowing users to dispose of them later. Each pack includes six glue boards that are effective for up to 1 year, for long-term control of a rodent population without financial strain.

The Catchmaster glue traps can fold into a tunnel shape for dirty locations, allowing them to fit into tight places and prevent dust and dirt from collecting in the glue. Each trap is 10 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 0.5 inches tall. The Catchmaster glue trays are easy to use and even include floor anchors with heavy-duty putty to prevent rodents from dragging the tray and freeing themselves.

Get the Catchmaster rat trap at Amazon.

Best For Multiple Rats

Rugged Ranch Ratinator Rat Trap

Product Specs

• Type: Live-animal cage
• Disposal method: Catch and release
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Ideal for large amounts of rat activity; capable of fitting 21 rats at a time
• Can also be used to kill rats; suitable for household and professional pest control
• Multiple hatches to dump rats out into the wild after caught

Cons

• Spring mechanism can weaken over time

When there’s a rat infestation, standard rat traps that only catch one rodent at a time just won’t do. A bigger trap like the Ratinator may be better equipped for multiple trapped rats. This cage-style trap is 26.5 inches long, 16.5 inches wide, and 6 inches high, which is enough space to catch up to 21 rats in a single setting.

This nonlethal animal trap allows users to relocate beady-eyed captives to a location far from a home. Alternatively, for those less sympathetic to the plight of rats, the Ratinator comes with an air-tight plastic container that perfectly fits the entire cage. The Ratinator weighs just under 9 pounds, without any rat prisoners.

Get the Rugged Ranch rat trap at Amazon (2-pack) or Target.

Best Nontoxic Bait

EcoClear Products RatX Pellets

Product Specs

• Type: Nontoxic poison bait
• Disposal method: Standard
• Reusable? No (consumable)

Pros

• Environmentally friendly and safe to use around pets (except gerbils) and children
• Large 3-pound bag is suitable for large and small infestations
• Causes rats to die within 2 to 4 days of ingestion

Cons

• Rats are not always attracted to the bait
• Should not be used in households with pet mice, rats, or gerbils

For households with young children or pets, using poisonous bait isn’t a safe option for solving a mouse or rat problem. This nontoxic bait from EcoClear offers a safe choice. Although it’s safe for people, pets, and wildlife, it takes advantage of rats’ unique digestive systems.

Once they eat the bait, they lose the instinct to drink water, causing them to die of dehydration in 2 to 4 days. This rat bait comes in pellet form, allowing users to add it to bait trays. A 3-pound bag is enough bait to handle a moderate mouse or rat problem. Because this bait is nontoxic to all but rats and mice, it is safe to use indoors.

Get the EcoClear Products rat pellets at Amazon.

Best Kid-safe

UCatch SuperSafes Dual-Entry Rat Trap

Product Specs 

• Type: Snap trap
• Disposal method: Manual disposal
• Reusable? Yes

Pros

• Dual-entry model is ideal for placing in tight crawl spaces where rats tend to scamper
• Made with a covered-tunnel design to keep children and pets away from the jaws and bait cup
• Integrated lever allows the trap to be set easily and for dead rodents to be disposed of hands-free
• Precision trigger and steel spring integrated for effective and reliable use; suitable for long-term reuse

Cons

• Some users have reported limited durability; may not withstand outdoor use

Children and pets running around the house is fun and wholesome. But rats running around with them can be hazardous. To ensure all pests are caught without harming little paws and hands, trust the UCatch SuperSafes rat trap. This dual-entry trap is designed with a covered tunnel design that keeps the snap trap jaws and bait cup out of reach while remaining large enough for a rat to enter the trap. This model is also made with a precision trigger and steel spring for effectively killing on contact.

The integrated lever is also easy to use when setting the trap and disposing of the dead rodent. Simply push the lever down and release the body and place again for reuse. Finally, this model comes in a pack of two or four depending on the size of the infestation or property.

Get the UCatch rat trap at Amazon.

Jump to Our Top Picks 

What to Consider When Choosing a Rat Trap 

When selecting the best rat trap, it’s crucial to consider a few factors, including where it will be used, the size of the rodent population, and whether the goal is to catch or kill these four-legged intruders.

Types of Rat Traps 

Below, learn about four basic varieties of rat traps—snap, glue, live animal, and electronic—to determine which type will work best for your rodent problem.

Snap Trap

This is the old-school rat trap that consists of a thick metal wire attached to a small piece of wood. A spring-and-catch design allows users to set the trap. A bit of bait is placed on a small portion of metal attached to the catch. When the rat takes the bait, the catch is released, causing the metal part to snap shut on the rat’s head, breaking its neck and killing it instantly.

While these traps are cheap and effective, they are also potentially dangerous. Depending on the trap’s size, a snap trap can hurt or even break fingers, making them unsuitable for use in homes with young children.

Safer plastic snap traps work by suffocating their furry victims. This type of trap uses a mechanism that resembles the open mouth of a snake. When a rat wanders into these plastic jaws and takes the bait, the mouth clamps shut, applying pressure on the rat and suffocating it.

This type of trap is better for homes with children, as the closing mechanism isn’t forceful enough to injure fingers or toes like a traditional wire mousetrap. These traps are reusable but do cost more than standard snap traps.

Glue Trap 

Glue traps are one of the most effective and controversial ways of catching a rat. A glue trap consists of a flat plastic board covered in extremely sticky glue on one side. Users place rat traps in an area with rat activity. When the rat scampers over the board, it becomes stuck in the adhesive, which immobilizes the animal. The more it struggles, the more trapped it becomes.

This type of trap is not the reco