Hey everyone,
I’m reaching out because I’ve been having a frustrating issue with a rat infestation in my garage. I’ve set out various kinds of bait — peanut butter, commercial rat bait, even some fruits — but the rats seem completely uninterested. I’ve been researching this a bit and I’ve come across a few possible reasons they might not be biting.
Rats can be pretty picky eaters, and it seems like they might avoid bait that isn’t familiar or appealing to them. I’m also curious about how the placement of the bait might affect their interest.
Hey there! It sounds like a tough situation. I’ve had success with a mix of peanut butter and oats. It’s super sticky and they can’t resist it!
That’s interesting! Do you think the rats might be used to different food sources in your area? I’ve heard that they can get picky based on what they usually find outside.
Definitely! I think they adapt to what’s around. If they have easier access to food scraps or other sources, they might just ignore your bait entirely.
Placement is key! I’d recommend putting the bait close to their nests if you can find them. They’re more likely to venture out if they don’t have to travel far.
Hey, just wanted to chime in! I’ve dealt with rats before and I found that they often avoid new foods at first. It’s like they have a built-in radar for changes in their environment.
That makes sense! Maybe you could try rotating the bait every few days? Switching it up might entice them since they’re not used to it.
Good idea! Also, I’d suggest leaving out the bait for a few days without checking it too often. If they see it regularly, they might become more curious.
I think cleanliness plays a big role too! If there are crumbs or other food residue around, they might not see your bait as a primary food source.
That’s a great point, @SqueakyClean. Have you considered cleaning up the area before placing your bait? Removing distractions might help a lot.
Exactly! A clean slate can make a world of difference. If they think there’s no other food around, they’ll be more likely to check out your bait.
I’ve heard that some rats are more attracted to certain scents. Maybe try adding a little bit of vanilla extract to your peanut butter mix? It might give it an extra edge.
That’s a neat idea! I read somewhere that scent can be important, especially if they’re avoiding certain foods in your area.
Totally! Experimenting with different scents could lead to a breakthrough.
I just wanted to add that sometimes the bait itself can be the problem. If it’s too “clean” or packaged, they might not recognize it as food.
That’s a good point! Maybe try breaking apart some of the commercial bait to make it look more appealing and less like something just dropped there.
Yes! Making it look more natural can help. I think rats like things that seem familiar to them.
One issue might be bait fatigue, rats get used to the same food and stop biting. Try changing the flavor or texture and see if bite rates increase.
Check placement. If the bait station is off the traveled path (not along walls or under cover), the rats may simply be ignoring it because it’s not in a high-traffic zone.
@BaitBreakerBen Good point! I switched from peanut butter to dried pet food bits and within two nights the thing was empty. Rats seem more drawn to full-food smells lately.