Best Outdoor Rat Traps – Keep Your Home and Yard Rodent-Free

In this post, we have put up a list of the best outdoor rat traps, as well as instructions on how to pick and use them.
By
Phyllis McMahon
Phyllis McMahon
Research Writer
Phyllis teaches English Literature at a local college and loves writing in her free time. She’s also a great cook – her British beef Wellington is something the best res read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Chas Kempf
Chas Kempf
Expert Consultant
Chas works in a professional pest control company and knows all the nuances of this job. Also, he’s a fantastic tennis player and loves to organize BBQ parties for his fam read more
Last updated: August 10, 2023
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Did you know that rats are carriers of a variety of deadly diseases, such as plague, typhoid fever, and rabies? That is why it is so important to keep them out of your house. Our detailed review will help you with the choice of the best outdoor traps for your needs!

We’ve decided to go with electric versions since they are the most efficient and fast. However, for those who are against violence, we have non-electric versions as well. We have included models of different sizes, depending on the type of rats you’re dealing with. All the traps are even reusable, so you won’t have to keep buying new ones all the time!

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: KatSense Covered Rat Traps
    "A touch-free, lightweight, easy to set up, reusable trap with a powerful spring ensures that even the biggest rats won’t stand a chance"
  • Best Electric Outdoor Trap: Montrap RK1000K2
    "An electric rat trap designed to kill rodents quickly and humanely, equipped with a smart sensor system; comes with a 1-year warranty"
  • Best Cage Trap: Gingbau Cage Trap
    "A humane cage trap, perfect for catching rats, mice and other small animals alive. It’s easy to use and features a sensitive trigger; comes in two sizes – medium and large"
  • Best Pedal Trap: Barlas Rat Trap
    "This pedal trap is easy to set up, safe to use, and highly effective at catching rats and mice. It’s also made of durable plastic that can be reused multiple times"
  • Best Value: Wanqueen Traps
    "These traps offer an affordable, humane, and safe way to get rid of unwanted pests in your home; easy to use and can be reused multiple times. Features 10 gram weight trigger and bait door"
  • Best Safe Trap: RinneTraps Flip N Slide
    "This trap is made from durable plastic, no touching or seeing the captured animal – they will be trapped inside a bucket. The highly safe design for your children and pets"

Top 6 Best Outdoor Rat Traps Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9341 people in the past 30 days
9.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.9
1
Editor’s Choice

KatSense Covered Rat Traps

Features
  • Dimensions: 15 x 23 x 21 inches
  • Weight: 1.23 lbs.
  • Material: plastic
  • Target species: chipmunk, mouse, rat

More features: includes 2 pieces, covered safety design, dual entry, stainless steel spring

Our editor’s choice outdoor trap is the Kat Sense and here’s why. This trap is designed for indoor and outdoor use, so you can catch rats, mice and chipmunks no matter where they are hiding. It is also clean, reusable, and effective – so you can get rid of those critters once and for all. The powerful spring ensures that the trap will be effective and fast, catching the critter before it has a chance to escape. In addition, the touch-free tunnel rat trap design means that you won’t have to worry about getting bitten or scratched while setting the trap. Finally, the safety for children and pets design means that everyone in your family can help get rid of those pesky critters.

While Kat Sense is renowned for being one of the most recognizable brands with high-quality traps, the Kat Sense Covered Rat & Chipmunk Traps is regarded as its Number one rat killer because of its multi-purpose, easy storage design and effectiveness. Most importantly, the touch-free design of the traps makes them quite unique. You can easily empty the traps by pressing the lever and be free from peeling dead rats and messy glue boards.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Indoor and outdoor use
  • Clean, reusable and effective
  • Touch-free tunnel rat trap design
  • Safe for children and pets
  • Powerful spring
  • Effective and fast
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Lightweight and thin plastic
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5478 people in the past 30 days
9.8
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.8
2
Best Electric Outdoor Trap

Montrap RK1000K2

Features
  • Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 5 inches
  • Weight: 2.46 lbs.
  • Material: stainless steel
  • Target species: mouse, rat

More features:  1-year warranty, 4 AA batteries required, anti-escape door, smart sensor system

Tired of dealing with rats and mice in your backyard? Montrap Electric Rat Trap RK1000K2 is the perfect solution for you! This trap is designed to kill rats and mice quickly and humanely. It is made of stainless steel for durability, and it has a smart sensor system that prevents escape. Plus, it comes with a 1-year warranty so you can be sure it will last. With this rat trap, there’s no need to touch the dead animal – just remove the batteries and dispose of them properly. It is easy to use, efficient and will help keep your backyard rodent-free. This trap is easy to use – just install batteries, bait it and wait for the light signal to know when the rat has been killed.

One of the credible features of this rat trap is its anti-escape door, which works well in ensuring that the caught rat doesn’t escape. And unlike the Kat Sense Covered Traps, it can kill a rat quicker with its strong electric shock that doesn’t cause any pain. This Montra trap remains a great choice for those who seek quality and effective electric traps.

    What are our favorite features?
  • One of the few electronic outdoor traps
  • Status light signal
  • Double protection with the door and the smart sensor
  • Strong electric shock
  • Warranty provided
    What could be better?
  • Pricy
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6835 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.5
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.7
3
Best Cage Trap

Gingbau Cage Trap

Features
  • Dimensions: 12 x 6.6 x 5 inches
  • Weight: 2.5 lbs.
  • Material: steel
  • Target species: chipmunk, rat, mouse and other similar-size animals

More features: auto door lock, available in set of 2, medium or large size

Tired of dealing with rats and mice in your backyard? Look no further than the Gingbau Live Cage Trap. This humane and easy-to-use trap is perfect for catching rats, mice, and other small animals. It is made of durable steel and has an auto door lock to keep your prey trapped inside. Plus, it’s available in two sizes – medium or large – so you can find the perfect fit for your needs. With this trap, you can catch rodents alive and release them unharmed back into the wild. It is also highly sensitive, so you will not have any trouble trapping those annoying critters. And thanks to its lightweight design, it’s easy to transport wherever you need it.

If you are an animal lover and it is not ideal for you to kill animals regardless of the inconvenience they cause you, this trap is your best bet. While the Kat Sense Traps and Montra trap are built to kill, this trap is built to help you catch rats, mice, rodents, and chipmunks without hurting them. And, all you have to do is just to remove these animals and free them elsewhere.

    What stands out?
  • Catches rodents alive
  • Highly sensitive trigger
  • Different sizes available
  • Easy to use
  • Humane
  • Durable and lightweight
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Thin steel net
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6234 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.6
4
Best Pedal Trap

Barlas Rat Trap

Features
  • Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 4 inches
  • Weight: 0.5 lbs.
  • Material: plastic
  • Target species: mouse, rat

More features:  foot pedal, removable bait cup, dual entry, hands-free setup, reusable, hair sensitive trigger

Tired of dealing with rats and mice? Barlas Rat Trap is the perfect solution for you! This trap is easy to set up and features a hair sensitive trigger that will ensure no rat or mouse escapes. The compact design makes it easy to store, while the strong reusable plastic ensures that your trap will last for many uses. With this trap, you can finally rid yourself of these pests for good. The removable bait cup means you can easily replace the bait as needed, and the dual entryway allows rodents to enter from either side. Plus, the foot pedal means you can set it up and leave it without having to worry about getting your hands dirty.

Barlas Trap is a great choice if you seek an outdoor trap that can help keep your home and workplace free from rats and rodents. While it shares a similar look with the Kat Sense Traps, it works differently because it’s built to catch pests alive, just like the Gingbau Live Trap. But what makes it different from Gingbau Trap is its advanced safety and improved design.

    What do we love it for?
  • 1-4 item sets available
  • Highly sensitive trigger and powerful teeth
  • Compact design
  • Strong reusable plastic
  • Safe setup
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Not child and pet safe
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5289 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.5
5
Best Value

Wanqueen Traps

Features
  • Dimensions: 7 x 5.3 x 5.3 inches
  • Weight: 1.2 lbs.
  • Material: plastic
  • Target species: mouse, rat

More features: 4 pieces included, cleaning brush, bait door

Looking for an affordable, humane way to get rid of rodents in your home? Wanqueen Traps are the perfect solution! They are easy to use, safe for children and pets, and most importantly, they work. Keep your family and pets safe from harm by using Wanqueen Traps to get rid of unwanted rodents. With four traps included and a 10-gram weight trigger, you can catch even the smallest mice or rats. Plus, these traps are reusable so you can catch as many rodents as you need without having to buy new traps every time. Cleaning is a breeze – just use the included brush to sweep away any messes.

Whether indoor or outdoor, these Wanqueen Traps can catch hamsters, rats, and mice effectively. They’re humane traps, just like the Gingbau Live Trap and the Barlas Rat Trap but what makes them different is their cozy design. But, they may not be able to catch bigger pests like the other humane peers on this list. However, they come with the added benefit of being waterproof, making them easier to wash.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Multiple setting options
  • Reusable
  • Easy to clean
  • Humane
  • Safe for children and pets
  • 10 grams of weight trigger
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • Needs an often check to be humane
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6911 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.4
6
Best Safe Trap

RinneTraps Flip N Slide

Features
  • Dimensions: 5.5 x 3 x 3 inches
  • Weight: 0.8 lbs.
  • Material: plastic
  • Target species: mouse, rat

More features: 1-4 items included, counter weighted plank, 2 ramps

Rats and mice can be a huge problem, but there is no need to worry anymore. RinneTraps Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Trap is the humane way to get rid of them. It is easy to use and automatically resets, so you can reuse it over and over again. Plus, it’s made of durable plastic so it will last for years. You will not have to worry about touching or seeing the rats or mice after you catch them – they will be safely trapped inside the bucket. And because it’s highly safe for children and pets, you can rest assured that everyone in your family is protected.

Look no further than these RinneTraps if you seek the best drop in the bucket mouse trap. While these traps are also humane traps like the Gingbau Live Cage Trap, Barlas Trap, and Wanqueen Traps, they’re creatively designed to make your rats “kick the bucket” without suffering any damage, and this makes RinneTraps a top choice for all who choose to be creative in catching rats.

    What do we love it for?
  • Highly safe for children or pets
  • Automatically resets
  • Reusable
  • Humane
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Bucket not included
  • Less effective

Things to Consider

There are a few things you need to consider when selecting an outdoor rat trap. We have prepared things to consider assisting you in making the best decision for your needs.

Type of Trap

When buying a rat trap, you need to decide what type of rat trap you want. The most common are snap traps, which work by snapping shut when the rodent steps on it. There are also glue traps, which use adhesive to stick the rat to the surface; and live traps, which catch the rat alive and allow you to release it elsewhere. Electric traps are another option, and these use electricity to kill the rat. There are also some traps that poison rodents, you can learn more about them in our blog post about the best rat bait stations. The cage traps are more humane but also require more work as you have to dispose of the rat once it is caught.

Quality of Construction

When looking for an outdoor rat trap, you’ll want to consider the quality of construction. The best traps are made from durable materials that can withstand weather conditions and rodents’ attempts to chew through them. They should also be easy to set up and bait.

Size and Number of Rats

Best Outdoor Rat Traps - Keep Your Home and Yard Rodent-Free
You should also consider the size of the rats you are trying to catch. If you are not sure what kind of rats are in your area, it is always better to err on the side of caution and choose a trap that is large enough to catch even the biggest rodents.

Another thing you need to consider when purchasing a rat trap is the size of the rodent you are trying to catch. There are different traps for small and large rats. You also need to decide how many rats you are trying to catch. Some traps can only catch one rat at a time, while others can hold multiple rats. If you have a large rat infestation, you may need to use multiple traps.

If you are only trying to catch one or two rats, a smaller trap will work.

However, many different pests can invade your home, and not all of them are rats. If you are having problems with another type of pest, take a look at our blog posts about the best German roach killers and best fire ant killers.

Different pests require different solutions. That is why it is important to identify correctly the pests you are dealing with before taking any action.

The Way of Disposal

You also need to consider how you will dispose of the rat once it is caught. Many traps come with a built-in release mechanism that allows you to simply open the trap and let the rat go. Other traps come with a kill mechanism that kills the rat once it is caught. If you are not comfortable with handling a dead rat, then you will need to choose a trap with a release mechanism. Now many manufacturers offer hands-free traps that automatically release the rat without you having to touch it.

Safety

Having young children or pets in your space means that you might need to consider less hazardous traps and have reduced chances of accidents occurring. This factor is crucial because we want our ideal rat trap, which will remain effective even around these sensitive users!

Humane Traps

Best Outdoor Rat Traps - Keep Your Home and Yard Rodent-Free
Humane traps are the best way to go if you want to get rid of rats without harming them. If you have pets or small children, this is definitely the best option for you.

Using poison or electric rat traps in your area may be prohibited depending on local regulations. This is to avoid accidental harm to any wildlife that might wander across the trapped area and take an interest in bait cage-style devices are often tailored for just catching rats, with many lethal varieties available so you can kill them quickly without worrying about hurting other animals who frequent this type of location (like cats).

The “catch-and-release” style of trapping is ideal for areas with few rats. This method removes the problem associated with body retrieval and disposal, which can be dangerous since these animals carry pests to disease carriers in their whiskers! Dead rat bodies will contaminate your area attracting scavengers that may activate other traps – do you really want any more?

Rat cage traps are a great option for people who want an easy and reliable way to catch annoying rodents.

These devices can withstand weather fluctuations, making them perfect in situations where you might not be able use other types of trapping methods.

FAQ

What is the best place to set the outdoor rat trap?

The best place to set the outdoor rat trap is near the entrance of the rat’s den. If you cannot find the den, setting the trap near where you’ve seen rats traveling is a good second option. Rats are nervous creatures and will be less likely to approach a trap that is in an open, exposed area. Try to place the trap in a shaded spot if possible.

What bait should be used in an outdoor rat trap?

Bait is not as important as location when setting an outdoor rat trap. However, many people find that baiting the trap with something like peanut butter or chocolate works well. Rats are naturally drawn to these foods. If you are having trouble catching rats with bait, try sprinkling some flour or cereal near the trap. This will also attract them to the trap.

What attracts rats to your house?

Rats spend most of their lives hunting down the next meal, and humans are a great source of food. The first thing they will detect is your garbage. From there, they will move to other food smells coming from inside your home. Nip things in the bud by preventing rats from getting into your garbage. Make sure your garbage cans have tight lids.

Do rats learn to avoid traps?

Rats learn very quickly to avoid traps that have been set in the same place multiple times. This is why it is important to move your rat traps around regularly to keep the rats from becoming trap-wise. Move them around every few weeks or they might get comfortable with where the traps are located. You should also try different types of rat traps to find what works best for your situation.

Rats learn very quickly to avoid traps that have been set in the same place multiple times. This is why it is important to move your rat traps around regularly to keep the rats from becoming trap-wise. You should also try different types of rat traps to find what works best for your situation.

Does The Trap Require Bait?

No, rat traps do not necessarily require bait. However, using bait can be more successful in trapping rats. Some good baits to use include peanut butter, cheese, or bacon. Rats will smell the food and be more likely to enter the trap. Make sure to place the bait in the center of the trap so that the rat cannot get to it without entering the trap.

If you are using a snap trap, make sure the bait is hanging off the platform so that the rat has to reach up for it. This will make it more likely to be caught. If you are using a live trap, put the bait in a small bowl or container inside of the trap. This will make it easier for the rat to get to the food and enter the trap.

You can also use a trap without bait, but it may not be as successful. Rats are smart and they may avoid traps that do not have bait. If you are using a snap trap, try putting some food near the trap to attract the rat. If you are using a live trap, try putting the trap in an area where the rat is likely to go.

Our verdict

The Kat Sense Outdoor Trap can help you catch all sorts of critters no matter where they are hiding! It is reusable and effective – meaning that once we get rid this problem for good and saves yourself from future infestation.

The Montrap Electric Rat Trap RK1000K2 is here for people who need an efficient way to kill those nasty creatures quickly without having any concern whatsoever about what might happen once captured; this trap comes equipped with stainless steel construction, which ensures durability as well smart sensor system, preventing escape opportunities.

Finally, the Gingbau Cage Trap. This versatile metal design cage is one of the best outdoor rat raps! It can be used to catch small animals like rats or even smarter gerbils. The durable steel construction ensures that it will last long while also being easy-to produce thanks its auto door lock which keeps prey inside when they are caught.

References

1.
About Rats and Mice | US EPA
Some rodent species are pests. Others are helpful. Pests can damage habitats, food supplies, and spread disease through bites or contamination. Prevent or reduce infestations by eliminating conditions that provide access to food, water, and shelter.
2.
House Mouse Management Guidelines--UC IPM
UC home and landscape guidelines for control of House Mouse.
3.
Rodents
Rodents can damage buildings, contaminate food, and transmit diseases to people. The rodent family includes over 2,000 species of rats, mice , gophers, voles, beavers and more.
9,9
Total Score
KatSense Covered Rat Traps - Editor’s Choice
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