Make a Multi-Catch Rat Trap
If you have a rat infestation and you are looking for an alternative to poison, but want to be able to make multiple catches, then a multi-catch rat trap is the way to go. Poisons kill rats, but then the decomposing rats leave horrible odors within walls and hard-to-reach places. Avoid this stench by using a trap that can catch and kill dozens of rats each time you bait it. This method is called the bucket trap and drowns its victims.
Instructions
1
Cut a piece of PVC pipe that is at least twice as long as the height of the bucket. If your pipe is slightly shorter than this, the trap can still work, however a rat is less likely to climb up it, as the pipe will have a very steep angle that the rat may have a hard time ascending. The pipe must be wide enough for a rat to fit through, however rats are able to squeeze through very tight spaces, so you should use a pipe that is at least 2 inches in diameter.
2
Secure the PVC pipe to the top of the bucket with the duct tape. One open end of the pipe should hang a few inches over the lip of the bucket, while the pipe extends down towards the ground on the outside of the bucket. When the bucket is placed down, the one end of the pipe will be over the bucket, and the other will rest on the ground.
3
Place the bucket in an area that the rat is frequenting. Look for signs of a rat inhabiting an area, such as rat droppings, food scraps or scratches on the floor.
4
Bait the trap. Rats will be attracted to common household foods, such as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Beer also works as an excellent bait for rats.
5
Check the trap regularly to prevent a rat from being stuck in the trap for an extended period of time, leading to a slow, painful death from starvation.
6
Wear long sleeves and protective gloves when moving the bucket, and carry the bucket by the handle, not by the lip of the bucket, to lower the risk of being bitten or scratched by the rat.
