SNAP TRAPS: Large spring traps by Victor, best baited with peanut butter and a secured nugget of nut or pet food.
GLUE PADS: Not effective for adult roof rats, though this method does work for mice and rodent young.
POISON BAIT: Use recommended poison for roof rats, securing bait in a Personal Use Bait Station (PUBS) or a commercial bait station which keeps pets, wild birds and children safe.
RAT ZAPPER: A quick electrical shock instantly kills the roof rat, best used in attics and around the home. To order, visit cheapzappers.com.
LIVE TRAPPING: "Have-a-heart" traps will catch live roof rats. Rats need to be exterminated and not moved from the subject property.
Maricopa County Vector Control (602) 506-6616 will pick up any captured live rats upon request only when staffing allows.
These recommendations are intended for home owners' use only. According to state law residents are only allowed to trap or use poison on their own property.
Commercial properties, condo associations, apartment complexes, and HOA should engage a licensed pest control company to eliminate any pest problem.
Personal Use Bait Station (PUBS) Instructions The bait station is ideal for people who have lush landscapes, unpicked citrus, pecan trees, figs, date palms, pomegranates, apples, peaches, apricots, as well as any human or animal food source. The roof rats are attracted to these areas because of water, food, or shelter and are prone to take the poison bait. Please see the Bait Station page for more information about placement, monitoring, and where to obtain bait, etc.
Snap Traps Snap traps are necessary to eradicate roof rats when poisons are not appropriate, such as in attics, sheds, or outside in garden areas.
Eradication Methods
