Unbeknown to humans, rats are able to communicate telepathically. Apparently, what has happened with your trap is that the rat, in its moment of demise, sent out a telepathic image to all the other rodents in the area of the trap and its location. Unfortunately, that trap will never tempt another rat unless you either a)paint it a different color or b)move it to another location.

I have heard of several voodoo rituals that will cleanse the trap's karma, but they all require the sacrifice of a chicken or small child.

I used a bucket of KFC but it didn't work.So much for my extra crispy sacrifice.lol

I've heard the best is the reg old spring traps set with peanut butter on cotton. It's fast and deadly and I've been too whimpy to try it. However I did see a rat running thru my yard so I may have to bite the bullet to protect the blueberries.

Funny story with the rats!!
They used to climb up the papaya tree, make a hole in the papaya and then eat the seeds. My two liitle girls and I stayed up in a pup tent with night vision monoculars taking turns looking for it. Sure enough it came. I tried to shoot it with a .22 pistol loaded with snake shot but could not aim with the monocular on my eyes.
We did get him with a trap. Well it was fun for the kids during the stakout. Of course they brought snacks to last a week in the pup tent (militay styled tent).

Doberman Rat Killer for loan: 8 years old, nose still works, eyesite not that great, killer instinct pristine. She pulled a rat out of the powderpuff yesterday and gave it the great shake into the no longer living category.

Regretably she did the same with a black snake today. The bunny that is decimating my pole beans still lives, but he's just a baby and really fun to watch, so I can't be upset about that, even as I watch him defoliate my beans. (He doesn't bother cukes or greens or peas or tomotoes...yet.)

Whatever you do don't put poison out....as their last act to completely annoy and frustrate humans they will crawl into your walls and die (learned the hard way). They are determined to take over the world :-)

Hi
I keep an outdoor aviary so have a long going problem with rats.. here's what works for me . Get the largest traps you can find . Be sure to press the bait securely into the tab. Place the trap in a corner so they must approach head on.. Otherwise you will have some survive the worst is catching one by the tail. get a pair of HEAVY gloves for this outcome . Only method I've found is a bucket of water and a brick to hold them down. have also noticed that if you catch one there are others so continue to set the traps.. Be sure to locate traps without access by kids and pets obviously.. One more tip don't stick your finger into the trap to see if it's working.lol gary

Gary, your advice is wonderful, and the precautions are priceless. Will you please look on conversations because I'd love your input on outdoor shower recommendations and don't want to hijack this thread.

Trinigemini, that sage advice is very worthy. Been there, done that.

The only solution is to declare defeat and acknowledge that the rats are a superior species. They will best any trap made by man. Once you acknowledge defeat then you can use my surefire strategy: at night, before bedtime, throw some chicken bones over the fence into your neighbor's yard. The rats, possum, raccoons, squirrels and other critters will leave you alone.

Defeat? Never!!! If I have to sit out there at night with a shotgun, so be it. YOu will read about it in the Post "Deranged farmer goes postal on rats".
Will keep you guys posted.

I saw a rat running across my front lawn yesterday. How can I get rid of it (and its extended family) without endangering other critters? I have a raccoon and squirrels that I wish would go away, but I don't really want to kill them. Also I have snakes.

Maybe you just need a bigger snake...

Being a glutton for punishment, I visited the local humane society today. There were three Rat Terriers up for adoption. Don't know if you're in the dog adoption mode, but...they were named for what they were bred to do. And of course I wanted to take all three home with me, but somehow didn't.

Good luck with rat eradication!

Saw this thing on discovery where they have the swat team shoot at rats on Grassy Key. Apparently the rats are huge over there and have been multiplying so SWAT does training at nights.

Here's a link to some good info from IFAS on controlling rodents (notice they never call it 'elimination')

Also - in my city, there is a free rodent control service - they'll come out & place the bait stations in your yard - I had this done a number of years ago & now I just refill them w/ Tomcat brand or similar baits that I buy @ the feed store. You might try looking in the municipal pages of your phone book to see if your city or county does the same....

Here is a link that might be useful: Roof Rats