Luring Rats from the shadows?

[cfxlongshot]

What should make a good bait to draw out some really weary rats?  I have some big ones in my barn and I can't seem to get any to come out in the open to give me a good shot.  I tried birdseed but none have taken the bait.  Whatever I use does it have to smell strongly to work?  I was going to use peanut butter rolled in birdseed stuck to the floor with nails to keep them from dragging it off.

[longislandhunter]

I've heard that the peanut butter bait works exceptionally well, but I've never tried it so I'm just going on what I've read.....

Jeff

[Gene_SC]

I could say get a real *_*_*_*_*_*y female rat and put her on a leash and nail it to the middle of the barn floor...:) Men are all alike. They like pretty girls.. hehe  Just kidding

I am no expert on luring rats but many on the GTA have done a great job of getting them to come to a special spot and then zapping them. I am sure someone with experiencee will chime in. Good luck

[JOHNNY QUEST]

dry dog food.. those bastages are eating me out of house and home...   some will say liquid cat food also....

[tjk]

Try mixing peanut butter with canned whole kernal corn mixed with some cotton/polyfiber (fish tank filter material, old carp/catfish trick used /staplewith desolving baits!!!!) and nail a glob of it to a piece of plywood,.....1'X1' or 2'X2'.  Spread a thin layer of pb here and there around the plywood to hide your scent and to give them a little "false security" walking on the wood!!! The wood makes a good target stand if your barn floor has  little dips, manure, etc., and the fiber keeps them stationary/busy for clean shots.  Let them work the cotton glob for a night, reset the next afternoon and then "ZAP" them the next night!! Good Luck!!! tjk

[glyconny]

Here is a discussion about this last week http://www.gatewaytoairguns.com/airguns/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=12017&posts=6&highlight=cat%20food&highlightmode=1#M94173  Another thing that would make things easier is to acclimate them to light.  Bait your spot for a few days with a spotlight trained in on it, to get them use to it, and when you're ready, they will be too.  I am told that red light doesn't require an acclimation period, because they don't pick up red light?  Never tried it but might be worth a try.  Liquidized cat food is like rat crack, they can't lay off the stuff.  Good luck. es

[cfxlongshot]

I've got plenty of cotton around and my pugs would gladly donate some of their dogfood for a good cause. Im going to try some out tonight and I'll give them 2 days (for thanksgiving) them the shooting begins.  Man I can't wait to use that 350 on them!!!!!