Rats are common pests that homeowners often need to attract for trapping, observation, or to identify travel patterns. The two species most common in North America are the Norway rat and the Roof rat, each having distinct preferences. Norway rats (brown or sewer rats) are typically found at or below ground level in basements, crawlspaces, or burrows. Roof rats (black or ship rats) are skilled climbers and prefer elevated locations like attics, trees, and upper levels of a structure. Understanding the resources that draw these rodents to an area is key to an effective attraction strategy.
The Essential Resources That Attract Rats
Rats seek environments that reliably provide food, water, and shelter. The presence of these resources attracts rats to a location, regardless of specific trap bait. Norway rats are drawn to general food sources like garbage, pet food, and compost piles. Roof rats favor fruits, nuts, and bird seed, often found in trees and elevated structures near homes.
Water sources are important, though the required amount differs by species. Norway rats typically need about 15 milliliters of water daily, found in standing water, leaky pipes, or condensation. Roof rats are more efficient, often surviving on less than 10 milliliters by extracting moisture from food. However, both species are attracted to open sources like pet water bowls.
The availability of shelter dictates whether rats remain in an area once food and water are found. Norway rats are burrowers, drawn to clutter, woodpiles, and voids near building foundations. Roof rats prefer nesting material in high places, such as attics, wall voids, and dense vegetation. These general resources must be present for any targeted attraction method to succeed.
Selecting High-Value Food and Non-Food Baits
To lure a rat into a trap or observation area, the attractant must be a high-value item, more desirable than the rodent’s existing food source. Rats are cautious, often approaching new items tentatively. High-fat, high-sugar, and high-protein foods are the most successful baits for both Norway and Roof rats.
Peanut butter is widely regarded as an excellent attractant because its sticky texture prevents the rat from easily carrying it away, and its strong, nutty odor is appealing. Other effective food baits include soft cheeses, bacon, chocolate spread, dried fruit, and gumdrops, which provide the high-calorie reward that rats seek. Secure any food bait firmly to the trap’s trigger plate, often by tying or smearing it, to ensure the rodent interacts with the mechanism rather than stealing the food.
Non-food items can also serve as attractants, especially for rats seeking nesting material rather than just a meal. Cotton balls, string, dental floss, or small pieces of burlap are useful, particularly in cooler months when rats are actively building nests. Rats are drawn to these soft, fibrous materials for insulation, making them a useful lure when food sources are abundant or when targeting rats inside a structure. Using a variety of baits is beneficial, as a combination of options increases the chance of a successful attraction.
Maximizing Attraction Through Strategic Placement
The effectiveness of bait depends on placement, as rats are wary of new objects and follow travel paths. Traps and lures should be positioned directly along “rat runways,” the linear routes rats habitually use along walls, near pipes, or under dense cover. A rat will rarely venture more than a few feet from its established pathway to investigate a lure, making accurate placement necessary.
For Norway rats, placement should focus on ground-level areas, such as dark corners in basements, along foundation walls, or near active burrows. For the climbing Roof rat, attractants should be placed in elevated locations like attics, rafters, or along tree branches that touch the roofline. The ideal time for bait deployment is in the late afternoon, as rats are nocturnal and begin foraging shortly after dusk.
Minimizing human scent is important, as rats can be deterred by the smell of handling on bait or traps. Wearing gloves when setting traps helps prevent scent transfer, making the setup more inviting to the cautious rodent. Placing traps unset for a few days—a process called “pre-baiting”—allows rats to become accustomed to the new object before it becomes a threat. The strategic use of dark, enclosed spaces, such as inside bait stations, also plays on the rat’s natural preference for security while feeding.