Rats learn from others’ mistakes. If they see a trapped companion, the whole colony may avoid that trap type for weeks!
@PestControlPat Try bacon grease instead of peanut butter. Smell carries farther and rats can’t resist. Caught 12 in one week with this trick!
After 3 failed DIY attempts, I switched to electronic traps. More expensive but 100% effective. No more playing cat-and-mouse with smart rats.
Reinforce cardboard traps with duct tape. Rats can’t chew through the sticky layer. Saved me when I ran out of plastic bins last winter.