I'm having a tough time with ants invading my rat traps and eating all the bait. This makes it difficult to catch any mice or rats since they're not interested in the bait if it's covered in ants. I've tried using various types of bait, but nothing seems to work. What can I do to keep the ants away and successfully trap some rodents?
2 Answers
Ants are a pain when you’re trying to trap pests! I've found that bait with oils tends to attract ants. For that reason, I would steer clear of anything with a greasy or oily base. Sticking with options like whole nuts or dried fruit might help you out. Also, covering the traps is crucial if you’re in a bird-heavy area. Have you thought about using a camera to see what gets more attention? That helped me refine my bait choices a lot!
I totally get the frustration! I've noticed the same issue. From my experience, rats can be picky if the bait is covered in ants, unless it's something they just can't resist, like fried chicken. If you're struggling with ants, try using baits that aren’t appealing to them—like cashews, sunflower seeds, or dried bananas. I’ve even had success with birdseed mixed with a binder! Just remember to cover your traps so birds don’t get snagged.
I tried cashews too and they were gone in no time thanks to the ants! Guess it depends on which kind of ants are around you; here it's mostly fire ants.
I like the camera idea! I had to trial and error a lot before I found out some baits aren't even desired. What baits work best for you?