Best Outdoor Rat Traps 

If you’re dealing with rats outdoors, it will only be a matter of time until they find their way inside. It’s important to get these pests under control as quickly as possible, and this is where the best outdoor rat traps come into play.

Choosing the right trap for your situation will help you get the job done faster with less effort and better results.

But have you ever wondered how to choose the best outdoor rat trap? There are so many on the market, and not all of them are created equally. It’s true that most will get the job done, but some traps are just not worth your money.

For this reason, we’ve decided to put together a list of the best outdoor rat traps according to experts. Let’s get started!

But Before We Dive In, Let’s Talk About Rats

Some of the most common rats in the United States include the Roof Rat and the Norway Rat.

Rats are mammals that belong to the family Muridae. They are generally bigger than mice and have long, scaly tails. There are several types of rats in the United States, but the roof rat and Norway rat are some of the most common.

Roof Rats

Roof rats are also sometimes called black rats because of their dark coloring. Roof rats are fairly small and nimble, but they also have large ears and eyes, as well as long tails. They are excellent climbers and prefer to live in trees or other high places like on roofs, in rafters, and even in attics and walls.

Roof rats usually measure about 13 inches long with tails that add another 13 inches to their length. They typically weigh about 7 ounces when fully grown.

A roof rat has a streamlined body. The head is large and it has a pointed nose, small ears, and a long tail. As mentioned above, These rats are mainly black in color, but they might also be brown or gray. Color varies depending on the individual rodent’s diet and habitat.

Because roof rats prefer to live in high places such as trees or attics, you might not see them unless you look closely for them when inspecting your property for signs of infestation.

Norway Rats

Norway rats are large rodents with a blunt nose, small ears, and small eyes. They can reach 17 to 20 inches in length from their nose to the tip of their tail. Their fur is coarse and usually brownish or reddish gray on top with a lighter gray or cream colored belly.

Norway rats have poor eyesight and rely more on their sense of smell, taste, touch and hearing to survive. Not only can Norway Rats cause damage to property and spread disease, they also have an unpleasant odor.

They are very social creatures and can be found living in groups of up to 20 individuals. They eat almost anything but prefer grains and seeds when available. They tend to burrow under buildings where they can cause structural damage by gnawing on wooden supports or electrical wires.

In addition, Norway Rats carry diseases such as Leptospirosis, a disease that can affect humans and other animals if exposed to contaminated urine or water sources through contact.

Rats Outside – The Bad and The Ugly

Rats are rodents, which means they have two incisors in their upper and lower jaws that never stop growing. Because of this, rats need to constantly gnaw on things to keep their teeth from getting too long.

Rats are dangerous for several reasons. First, they carry bacteria that can cause diseases such as Salmonella and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). They also carry parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks. And rats will bite—even humans—if provoked.

These pests can also cause damage to homes by chewing on electrical wires, which can cause house fires and other dangers. They will even cause damage to wood beams and other materials used for construction.

Both Norway Rats and Roof Rats can reproduce quickly and often live in colonies that can number anywhere from 10 to 100 individuals. The breeding season for rats lasts all year round! Just one pair of rats can produce as many as 84 offspring a year and often live in colonies that can number anywhere from 10 to 100 individuals.

If you have rats in your yard, it’s important to find out why and to look into finding the best outdoor rat traps before an infestation gets out of control.

Why Do I Have Rats In My Yard?

Rats are opportunistic feeders and will scavenge food from garbage and gardens.

Rats are animals who live their lives by their stomachs. If there’s food available, they’ll be there to eat it. These are opportunistic animals who will take advantage of whatever situation presents itself, but they aren’t all that picky about where that food is found or how much effort it takes for them to get their paws on it.

Rats are also attracted to clutter. If you’re an avid gardener, hobbyist or DIY-er, chances are your yard has a few places where rats could be making a home. Here’s what they’re looking for:

• Cardboard boxes and plastic containers. These are cozy places for nesting and breeding.

• Piles of debris and yard trimmings. Rats love hiding out in piles of dead leaves, clippings, brush and other debris.

• Sheds or outbuildings with open access points or holes. The more space available to them, the better. Rats need a place to hide from predators like birds and cats, and a place to call home.

• Dog houses or other “pet” structures that may have been left open or unsecured by their owners.

How To Identify A Rat Problem And If You Need The Best Outdoor Rat Traps

The presence of rodents in a yard can be incredibly problematic because they’re not only dangerous—they can also cause significant damage to structures and property.

The first thing to note is that a rat problem may not be immediately obvious. It could be that the rats themselves have yet to make an appearance because they’re still hiding out in burrows underground or sheltered locations away from humans. Some of the telltale signs you might have a rat problem include:

• Gnaw marks on wood and other materials
• Droppings near food sources or potential nesting areas
• Scratching noises
• Damage to plants and flowers
• Odor coming from certain areas

If you notice any of the above, it’s time to look into the best outdoor rat traps. But what are the best outdoor rat traps? Keep reading to find out.

What Are The Best Outdoor Rat Traps and How Do They Work?

The best outdoor rat traps will work better when you know which type of rats you are targeting.

Outdoor rat traps are an affordable and effective way of catching any rats that might be loitering around your property.

While there are many different kinds of outdoor rat traps on the market, they all operate in a similar fashion. Their goal is to capture rodents quickly and humanely so that they can be destroyed or removed from the property and relocated elsewhere.

You’ll find many types of outdoor rat traps available, ranging from those that use bait to those that use poison. If you don’t want to deal with disposing of a dead rat yourself, you might want to look for a live trap that catches the rat alive, so it can be released far away from your home.

No matter which kinds of outdoor rat traps you choose, keep in mind that it’s important to set it where rats are known to frequent and within a few feet of their nest.

Live Outdoor Rat Traps

Catch and release outdoor rat traps, also known as live rat traps, are not the best outdoor rat traps for everyone, but they are ideal for people who prefer to relocate rats as opposed to killing them.

These devices work by using bait that attracts rodents into an enclosed space where they cannot escape once inside.

You might think that this could mean accidentally catching animals other than the intended rats, but most of these traps have been designed with sufficient size differences between entrances so as not to accidentally ensnare other species such as squirrels, rabbits, or other small animals the trap may not be intended for.

Live outdoor rat traps may also be the best outdoor rat traps for those with children and pets as they do not contain any baited poisons that could potentially wind up in the wrong hands.

Lethal Outdoor Rat Traps

Lethal outdoor rat traps are designed to kill rats. Lethal traps come in a few forms, including snap traps, poison traps, or glue traps.

Snap traps can be the cheapest option when it comes to outdoor rat traps, and they can be highly effective. We suggest that you set them where you know rats are running, like along a wall or around the edges of a fence.

Firmly anchor the outdoor rat traps so that they won’t move when they spring shut, but make sure they are not placed where children or pets might be tempted to tamper with them.

The Best Outdoor Rat Traps, According To Experts

Some of the best rat traps include baited traps, snap traps, and catch and release traps.

The first thing to consider when looking for the best outdoor rat traps is location. Are you having trouble with rats outside? If it’s outside, you’ll want to choose a trap that can be used without worrying about your children or pets getting into it. You should also consider corrosion and how these traps will hold up in inclimate weather.

If you’re not sure of the best outdoor rat traps for you, we have listed the top recommended outdoor rat traps, according to experts.

BARLAS Tunneled Safe Pest Control Rat Traps

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The BARLAS Tunneled Safe Pest Control Rat Traps work as some of the best outdoor rat traps because they are safe for people and pets, and they are an effective and quick way to rid your yard of rats and rodents.

These outdoor rat traps allow you to get rid of rats that have made a home in your yard or garden without the need for poisons or other dangerous chemicals.

The BARLAS Tunneled Safe Pest Control Rat Traps are designed to be placed in high traffic areas where rats tend to travel, such as against walls, fences, or near trees, garages, sheds, or anywhere else that you might find rats scurrying around. After the trap has been placed in the desired area, all you need to do is check it periodically to see if you’ve caught any rats. If so, simply empty them out and reset the trap.

Outpost Rat Bait Station

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Outpost Rat Bait Stations work by targeting a number of rodents including small mice and large rats. This bait station is ideal for outdoor use and is one of the best outdoor rat traps for yards with rat problems because it can be placed nearly anywhere.

The large size makes it easy for rats to find, and the locking container keeps other animals out and children safe. The station has pre-drilled holes in the bottom and back that allow you to secure it to the ground or a wall, allowing you to place it out of the way areas like under decks or against fences where rats are known to travel.

The lid locks shut so that only authorized individuals can open it, providing security from children and pets who may be curious about what’s inside.

The Outpost Rat Bait Station is an effective rodent control system that will last for years to come. It can help you to get rid of your rat problem quickly, as rats tend to take more than one bite at a time. This means that even if you didn’t see any results after placing a few stations around your yard, once the population is reduced you’ll notice fewer rodents in the future!

Kensizer Humane Rat Trap

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If you’re looking for the best outdoor rat traps that allow you to capture live rats so you can relocate them, we recommend the Kensizer Humane Rat Trap listed above.

This is one of the best outdoor rat traps for those who want to avoid lethal traps or using toxic baits.

The animal enters the trap through an opening at one end and is unable to find its way out again. This type of trap generally has a one-way door or gate that swings shut behind the rodent as it enters but cannot open in reverse, allowing the animal to escape.

The Kensizer Humane Rat Trap is an easy-to-use and highly effective device that anyone can use, including beginners. It’s made of heavy-duty plastic and has two entrances at opposite ends. It measures 11 by 5 by 4 inches, and is large enough to host several rats or squirrels at once if necessary.

Other Products You Can Use For Preventing Rats In The Future

Once you are done using using rat traps, we recommend using rat repellents to keep rats from returning.

Rats are a common pest—and one that can be very difficult to get rid of. Because of this, you need to take multiple steps to ensure that you don’t have rats in your yard, and that they don’t come back. The best way to do this is with a combination of methods.

Use rat repellents

One of the most important things you can do is use rat repellents around the perimeter of your yard. This will keep them from coming back after they’ve been caught or scared off by the best outdoor rat traps.

Ultrasonic sound devices

Ultrasonic sound devices emit high-frequency sounds that rats don’t like and will stay away from if they’re in your yard. You can buy these at any hardware store or online and are rather affordable depending on the type you get.

They come in different sizes, so make sure you get one that fits where you want it placed in your yard—most people put them near their garbage cans or along fence lines where rats might enter from nearby neighborhoods or businesses.

Not sure which product might be right for you? Below we have listed a few products you can use to prevent rats after you have utilized the best outdoor rat traps.

Natural Armor Peppermint Rat Repellent

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Natural Armor Peppermint Rat Repellent is a natural form of rat repellent you can use outdoors and in your yard and garden without the fear of harming children, pets, or the environment. It’s made from natural ingredients including peppermint oil, cedar oil, cinnamon oil, and lemongrass oil.

It has been proven to repel Norway rats, roof rats, and field mice. It’s non-toxic and very safe to use around children and pets. And it smells great too!

Yard Sentinel Ultrasonic Animal Repellent

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Yard Sentinel Ultrasonic Animal Repellent uses ultrasonic sound waves to repel a variety of yard pests like rats and is a safe and effective product you can use to prevent a future rat problem

This product is designed for outdoor use, so be sure to place it in areas where you’ve seen the most rodent activity. The repellent uses a series of sensors that detect movement, triggering the device when it detects an animal within range. This device is waterproof, so it can be used even in rainy weather. It can cover up to 6,000 square feet, so you can use more than one if your yard is really big.

Alternatively, you could use this with other types of animal repellent as part of a comprehensive pest control plan for your yard or garden.

How To Make Your Own Outdoor Rat Trap And Rat Repellent

You can make your own rat traps using a bucket and other household ingredients.

When you have rats in your yard, it can be rather frustrating. You may feel that these rodents are overrunning your home and garden. But don’t despair—there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. If you’ve tried the old-fashioned methods of rat traps and poisons, but want to try something more natural, there are plenty of options available to you. Here are some home remedies for getting rid of rats.

How To Make Your Own Rat Trap

You may have seen this idea floating around the internet, and it’s definitely worth trying out if you want to do your own rodent control. The basic idea is to trap rats in a clean bucket with a little bit of water so they can’t climb out, then off they go somewhere else (hopefully far away).

To get this to work, you’ll need several simple household items that most people already have on hand:

1) A gallon bucket that has been cleaned of any food or soap residue

2) A wire mesh screen with small holes (like chicken wire)

3) A wooden plank long enough to reach across the top of the bucket

4) A strong rubber band (or some other type of tie that won’t be eaten by the rats)

5) Some bait (peanut butter is a good choice)

You can see in the video below how to put these outdoor rat traps together effectively.

How To Use Essential Oils For Getting Rid Of Rats

Essential oils are a very good way to repel rats and get rid of them all. Essential oils are made from plants and trees, so they’re natural, organic, and eco-friendly, making them one of the best options for how to get rid of rats in your yard.

There are many essential oils that can be used as rat repellent, including cinnamon oil, peppermint oil, spearmint oil, citronella oil, lemongrass oil, clove oil and thyme oil.

All you need to do to make your own rat repellent spray is to mix these essential oils with water (for every 5 cups of water use 10 drops of essential oil).

Then put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it in corners that you think rats can hide or around their entrance. Make sure not to make mixtures that don’t include water because they may damage patio furniture or rugs.

How To Use Plants To Repel Rats In Your Garden

When you’re looking for home remedies for how to get rid of rats and mice, some popular options involve using plants that repel rodents.

There are several types of plants that have been known to be used as rat repellents, and they can be extremely helpful in preventing rodents from entering your garden or home.

Some of the best plants you can use to repel rats include:

• Peppermint
• Garlic
• Onions
• And Chives

Ammonia Spray Rat Repellent

If you’re having a rat problem and you want to get rid of them for good, then an ammonia repellent might do the trick. Ammonia repels rats because it’s toxic to them and its strong smell is repulsive and irritating to their nose and throat.

Ammonia works especially well in conjunction with other repellents that have been shown to be effective on rats. You can buy ammonia spray repellents, or you can make your own. To make a homemade ammonia spray rat repellent, all you’ll need are some common household ingredients, a clean spray bottle or two, and a little bit of time.

Combine one cup of ammonia and one cup of water in a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of dish soap to help the solution cling to surfaces better. Ammonia is already naturally pungent, but if you want to further deter rats from returning, you can add a few drops of hot sauce to the mixture as well. Shake the solution before each use to mix everything thoroughly.

You may need to apply the solution several times before rats stop returning. Spray it around any places where rats have been seen or near any holes or cracks where they might be coming from.

A Note From The Experts

Remember, if you’re trying to capture rats in the best outdoor rat traps, it would be counter productive to use rat repellents at the same time. Rat traps should be designed to lure rats, not scare them away.

It’s best to remove the rats from your yard and garden and then go about implementing the use of rat repellents to keep rats from returning in the future.

Other Expert Tips On Keeping Rats Out Of Your Yard

It’s important to take the proper steps when it comes to getting rid of rats and protecting your yard and home.

Getting rid of rats using rat traps is effective, but keeping rats from coming back is the real art of protecting your yard from these pests. Luckily, there are several methods you can use and tips and tricks you can follow from experts to keep these pests from coming back around and wreaking havoc in your yard.

Use the right bait for your trap

If you’re going to use traps, be sure to bait them with something that’s attractive. You’ll want it to be something that’s not easily accessible for free elsewhere in your yard. You’ll also want to make sure that the bait isn’t something that a dog or cat can get into—it may sound obvious, but people have been known to accidentally lure their pets by baiting traps with peanut butter or cheese.

In addition to making sure the lure is appetizing to rats, you’ll want the bait to fit snugly into the trap so that it won’t fall out. If you have trouble keeping the bait in place, try securing it with sturdy thread.

Keep your yard clean and tidy

Keeping your yard clean will help keep rats away by minimizing places they can hide and build nests.

Keep grass cut short

Keep grass cut short and remove any clutter where they could be hiding out—this includes items like wood piles and compost heaps, which they’ll eat into.

Clean up ripe fruits and veggies from gardens

If you have fruit trees, keep the area around them free of fallen fruit, since it can attract rats that are looking for food. Also make sure to safeguard any edible crops or gardens you’ve planted in your backyard from rats or other pests by covering them with chicken wire or netting, and keeping the area around them as clean as possible.

Now you know what makes for the best outdoor rat traps and you have the methods you need to keep rats out of your garden for good. Best of luck getting rid of these rodents from ruining your yard!