- Always use fresh bait. Rodents will avoid old, moldy, or insect-ridden baits.
- Before baiting, try to eliminate alternate food sources as best as possible to facilitate the greatest chance for bait acceptance.
- When baiting for rats, the distance between placements should 15 to 30 feet apart depending on the foraging range. Heavy or severe infestations may require closer spacing. The amount of bait per placement should be determined by following the rodenticide label.
- For heavy infestations, it is best to use the maximum number of bait placements indicated by the label.
- Bait stations should be placed where rats are likely to encounter them during their routine travels, between harborages and food sources.
- When baiting rat burrows, loose pellet bait or crushed bait blocks should be used, never packets or full blocks.
- Once the baiting program has begun, do not move bait stations to different locations as rats may react unfavorably to the change and begin avoiding the stations. Bait type and formulation used inside the stations should also remain the same.
- When using anticoagulant baits, rodents must feed continuously over several days for the poison to be effective, so these baits must be refreshed often and made constantly available until feeding activity stops.
- Attempt to locate "favorite feeding locations" (indicated by a high concentration of rodent signs-droppings, tracks, odors, shredded paper, etc.) and replace existing food sources with bait stations in these locations.
- Always use bait blocks when baiting in damp locations such as sewers, for maximum weatherability. Blocks should be tied down so they won't wash away. Liquid baits are best in dry situations.
Click here for Rat Control Products
Related Articles
Baiting Tips for ROOF rats
Baiting Tips for Mice
Rodent Proofing for Fall
Do I Have Rats?
Rat Identification
How To Get Rid of Norway Rats
How To Get Rid of Roof Rats
Related Product Pages
Rat Bait
Rat Poison
Rat Trap
Rat Control