Rat Trap Attractants

A rat attractant is a non-toxic lure, not a poison. It goes on the trap pedal to bring a rat close enough to trigger the trap, or into a bait station. It doesn't kill anything on its own - the trap does that.

A pea-sized amount pressed firmly into the trigger pedal, or smeared just underneath it, so the rat has to work at it rather than lick it off the surface. Overbaiting is the commonest reason a trap gets emptied without firing. Our guide to setting up a rat trap covers the rest of the setup.

Peanut butter works on the day but dries out and can be licked off the pedal. A gel stays put and holds its scent, which matters because rats are neophobic and often take several days to approach a new trap - the bait needs to still be there, and still smell of something, when they finally commit. Read our guide to the best baits for rat traps to see how the food baits compare.

Yes - snap traps, electronic traps and traps housed inside a bait station. The application is the same in each case: a small amount, on the pedal or bait point, not spread around the trap.

Use as directed and place traps and attractant out of reach of children and pets. The gels here contain no rodenticide, but a set trap is still a mechanical hazard - housing it inside a lockable bait station is the sensible option anywhere a child or dog might reach.

Check your traps daily and re-apply when the gel has been taken, or when the surface has dried and lost its scent. Warm, dry spaces such as lofts and outbuildings need re-baiting more often than cool cellars and voids.

Snap and electronic traps kill without any active substance, and proofing products such as wire wool, door sweeps and air brick covers work purely as a physical barrier. Our attractant gels are lures, not rodenticides. To avoid poison altogether, start with proofing to close the entry points, then trapping to clear whatever is already inside.