Rodent control comes in many options and styles. Snap traps and glue traps are among the most common and effective rodent traps. Many are familiar with the snap type of trap, as it has been used for quite sometime through the ages though they have evolved. With glue and snap traps being the most common, we at Snell Scientifics would like to discuss the dynamics of these rodent traps and the science involved in testing their effectiveness.
Mouse & Rat Snap Traps
The more traditional rodent traps, are also referenced as spring loaded-bar mousetraps. Being commercially available, these traps are widely used. Leaving an attractant such as food or nesting material, these snap traps are placed along the rodent’s travel pathways. A metal bar snaps and kills the rodent when the spring mechanism is triggered.
Rodent Glue Traps
Similar to snap traps, glue traps are often placed in rodent paths. Rodents are immobilized by an adhesive surface after encountering the trap. Since they can’t move and maintain their body temperature, the rodents trapped on this trap expire from hypothermia.
Where to Place Mouse & Rat Traps
In order to get the maximum potential from glue and snap traps, there are a few key elements people should apply.
1) Where to Place Rodent Traps: For any rodent trap to be effective, placement matters. Knowing the routine activity and common paths the rodents take optimize the traps. Behind objects, darkened corners, and along walls are typically the most active locations for rodents.
2) How Many Rat or Mouse Traps Should Be Used?: When placing out rodent traps, most place too few. No matter how many mice or rats you think you have, the rodent traps should be placed at intervals of two-ten feet apart. Placing 2 under the sink, behind the fridge, and so forth is also essential. In places where there is higher activity, have the sets of rodent traps ” space between them is more effective.
3) Best Way to Catch Mice & Rats: More rodents are caught in the traps the first night than any others, having plenty of traps strategically in place with the initial strike offer more effective elimination.
4) Best Bait for Rodent Traps: A pea-size amount of bait is all that is needed. High protein, such as peanut butter, is an ideal lure. Salami, fried bacon, oatmeal, and chocolate are usually favorites.
Rodent Trap Testing
With potentially the only such testing field of its kind, the Snell Scientifics Rat Field is a contained field of wild Norway Rats. Here, our experts test rat repellents, rat stations, and the responses to their behavior. With two separate populations of wild house mice, a separate building is dedicated to house mouse testing. Our Choice Box arena for rodents is a highly effective protocol. With testing for bait formulations, repellents, attractants, and devices, our facilities can be used with wild rats or mice. To monitor the mouse building, rat field, choice boxes and other arenas, our specialists use digital video systems and night vision. By quickly scanning the video to turn behavior into data points, the ability to monitor behavior for long periods of time is highly beneficial. For evaluating toxic rodent baits, Snell Sci uses the standardized Rodent Bait EPA Choice Consumption Protocols. To help compare new formulation changes, this protocol suits to compare bait preferences of commercial formulations. Contact us today to learn more!
