I decided to add this to my arsenal in trying to catch the river rats that have been hanging around our cars and building nests in the engine compartments -- and eating the wiring.  Our property in Southwest Florid is bordered on two sides by wetlands, protected areas that must be maintained as wild habitats.  Unfortunately the snakes, hawks, and owls can't seem to keep up with the rat population.  I have used various Victor traps, sticky boards, and poisons with some success.  But even though the poisons are most effective, I am aware of secondary poisoning and therefore limit their use as much as possible.

So I decided to try this Havahart.  I ALWAYS put on a new pair of surgical gloves when handling any type of rat catching tool since the little buggers have an excellent sense of smell.  I put bird seed on the catch platform and also dribble some bird seed outside the front of the trap.  Then I arm the trap and check it the next morning.  The first day I had no success, not surprising to me since rats seem to be a little leery of anything new in their environment.  Of course there may still have been some human scent in the area.

The second day I was greeted by the squeaking of a pair of river rats in the trap, and on the third and fourth days I captured another one.  The biggest problem I have in this heat and humidity is keeping the trapping mechanism loose and fluid without using any type of oil.  Even though it is "rust resistant", there isn't much that won't rust in Southwest Florida.  So I rub the arms of the working mechanism with peanut oil or olive oil, something that smells natural to them yet keeps the mechanism working smoothly and effectively.

NOTE:  I have also had great success using steak bits that I have saved from meals and kept in the freezer.  One small piece placed outside the trap entrance and the other on the bait platform.  Keep the trap in a corner or dark place where you find droppings.
I decided to add this to my arsenal in trying to catch the river rats that have been hanging around our cars and building nests in the engine compartments -- and eating the wiring. Our property in Southwest Florid is bordered on two sides by wetlands, protected areas that must be maintained as wild habitats. Unfortunately the snakes, hawks, and owls can't seem to keep up with the rat population. I have used various Victor traps, sticky boards, and poisons with some success. But even though the poisons are most effective, I am aware of secondary poisoning and therefore limit their use as much as possible. So I decided to try this Havahart. I ALWAYS put on a new pair of surgical gloves when handling any type of rat catching tool since the little buggers have an excellent sense of smell. I put bird seed on the catch platform and also dribble some bird seed outside the front of the trap. Then I arm the trap and check it the next morning. The first day I had no success, not surprising to me since rats seem to be a little leery of anything new in their environment. Of course there may still have been some human scent in the area. The second day I was greeted by the squeaking of a pair of river rats in the trap, and on the third and fourth days I captured another one. The biggest problem I have in this heat and humidity is keeping the trapping mechanism loose and fluid without using any type of oil. Even though it is "rust resistant", there isn't much that won't rust in Southwest Florida. So I rub the arms of the working mechanism with peanut oil or olive oil, something that smells natural to them yet keeps the mechanism working smoothly and effectively. NOTE:  I have also had great success using steak bits that I have saved from meals and kept in the freezer. One small piece placed outside the trap entrance and the other on the bait platform. Keep the trap in a corner or dark place where you find droppings.