Do Rats Take Bait Away?
WouterIt is important to be patient with rat poison because it takes two to three days for the rat poison to take effect. This means that you can’t immediately set a new trap with fresh bait. However, it is important that you remember that rats will eat the bait if it is fresh. They will leave a stench and smell after eating poisoned food, so make sure to place fresh bait in the traps and monitor their behavior.
Rats are notoriously difficult to control, so some of them may avoid the bait or lethal device. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome this neophobic behavior. Rats, like humans, often avoid strange objects, animals, or situations. In fact, this behavior is common throughout the animal kingdom. It serves as a survival strategy for rodents, since rats are subject to predation once they leave their nests.
If you place bait in an airtight container, it can last up to a year. If you keep the bait in an open container, however, you will have to replenish it regularly. The bait should only be refreshed every 5-7 days or so, as more frequent replenishment encourages rats to hoard the poison and wastes your money.
During the day, most rats will leave the bait, as they prefer to travel between their nest and food source. However, if they are living in an area close to your garden, the bait could be a useful trap for the rats that have fled the nest. As rats are creatures of habit, they will usually make the same route between their food source and the nest area. Once these routes are established, they will become increasingly obvious. To prevent this from happening, keep your bait stations in a cool, dry place. However, if you are using blocks, you need to change them out every 30 days.
