A24 Installation Recommendations – The Automatic Rat Trap
The A24 Rat Trap can be installed in many locations, indoor and outdoor.
In the home-
Walls are the perfect place for rats/mice to live in your home — staying warm and dry in seclusion away from residents during the day. Rats can do serious damage by gnawing at wiring, and tearing up insulation within the walls. They also leave droppings everywhere, which could become a serious health hazard.
Mice and rats contaminate food once they have come in contact with it. Both rat/mouse droppings and urine can carry serious and sometimes deadly disease. Rats and mice can also transmit bacteria.
Mice and rats in the home can destroy furniture and chew holes in walls. They can also tear up books, papers, plastic, wood, clothing, etc.
Signs of rats/mice in the home include:
- noise in the walks or roof
- chewed food, bags, etc.
- rodent droppings
- grease marks on walls, etc. from the natural oils on fur
- stench from rat/mice urine that smells like ammonia
- nesting debris such as piles of light material such as paper, lint and insulation
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Rats and mice do not like light, so any trap near lighting is a bad choice. Rats like to travel along walls and cabinets, and don’t like to venture out into open space. (Like in the middle of a room)
Good choices for trap installation:
- behind furniture
- an open closet
- corners of a room
- back of cabinets
- pantry
Tips to prevent rats and mice in your home:
- Keep garbage outside and covered and remove food garbage from home daily
- Keep dog food and other pet food in a tightly-sealed container
- Keep food in kitchen cabinets and pantry in sealed spill-proof containers
- Cover attic, crawls pace and dryer vent with ¼-inch mesh screen
- Keep storage areas organized
- Keep lumber and firewood stacked away from the home
- Seal utility openings with sealing or a pipe collar
- Any gaps in the home should be under ¼-inch
- Trim vines and shrubs away from your home
Attic
No matter where you live, there is a good chance there are rats and/or mice around. The house mouse is the most common species of mice found in homes, and the Norway rat (also known as the roof rat or black rat) is the most common invader of the rat species.
If you have an attic, it is the perfect place for small animals to invade. Rats and mice are the most common problem.
signs of rats/mice in the attic include:
- noise rats and mice scratching in the attic and in walls
- rat/mouse droppings
- damage from rats/nice gnawing on electrical wires
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
If you have rats or mice in your attic, the first step should be an inspection of your attic area. Look for openings like gaps, vents, holes, etc. The ground, walls and roof should all be checked.
Once everything is sealed, rats/mice should be trapped. Any rats trapped inside the attic will need to eat, and be very attracted to the lure inside the trap.
Good choices for trap installation:
- along walls
- corners of the attic
- walls behind of shelves
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your attic:
- Keep boxes tightly sealed and make sure you have access to the perimeter walls
- Seal off any holes or gaps using steel so rats can’t chew through (bolt steel in place)
- Use a sealant to block off air flow
Basement
Basements can be the perfect place for rats and mice to take up residence. Most basements are dark and not used often. Stacks of boxes and other stored items provide the perfect place for rodents to hide, and to find nesting materials.
Signs of rats/mice in the basement include:
- noise rats and mice scratching in the attic and in walls
- rat/mouse droppings
- damage from rats/nice gnawing on electrical wires
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse Trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- along walls
- corners of the basement
- walls behind of shelves
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your basement:
- Keep boxes tightly sealed and make sure you have access to the perimeter walls
- Seal off any holes or gaps using steel so rats can’t chew through (bolt steel in place)
- Use a sealant to block off air flow
Crawl Space
Rats and mice often enter the crawl space under homes when they find an opening. This can give them an easier way to invade the home if they can find a small vent or gap to get in. They can also do serious damage to any visible wiring, and can cause pipes to burst when they chew away the insulation.
signs of rats/mice in the crawl space include:
- noise from under the home
- rodent droppings
- Gnawing marks on wires, etc.
- grease marks on walls, etc. from the natural oils on fur
- stench from rat/mice urine that smells like ammonia
- nesting debris such as piles of light material such as paper, lint and insulation
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- along the perimeter
- inside corners of the crawl space
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your crawl space:
- Completely seal your crawl space — some mice can fit through a hole of about 1/2-inch in size
- Lay down a vapor barrier
- Keep hedges, vines and other brush away from the exterior of your home
- Dig a small trench around your crawl space and pour concrete to deter mice and rats from burrowing under the dirt
Automobile Storage
Automobiles are often an appealing place for rats and mice to crawl inside from underneath the car. Cars that are stored for long periods can become ideal for rats or mice to take up residence in. The rodents will build a nest in the car and can cause serious damage by chewing away at wiring.
Damaged wiring in an automobile can not only be costly, bat can be a serious hazard when the car is started without knowledge of the damage. Cars have been known to catch fire, and damage from rats or mice can also cause the car to operate unsafely when driven. Mechanics often see vehicles that are brought in due to damage from rodents.
signs of rats/mice in your automobile include:
- gnawed wiring
- rat our mouse droppings
- torn upholstery or other piles of nesting materials
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- along a wall or in a corner closest to the vehicle
- beneath the vehicle
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your automobiles:
- Check your vehicle often for signs of rodents
- beneath the vehicle
- Keep the hood up so rodents do not have a dark place to hide
Garage
Garages are the ideal place for rats or mice to take up residence. Rats and mice can get into boxes and just about anything else in the garage. Rats and mice can jump up to one foot in the air, and can easily climb along wires, ropes, etc. Any small opening can lead them into the wall where they can nest and destroy wiring and insulation. They can also chew larger holes in your walls.
Signs of rats/mice in the garage:
- noise in the walks or roof
- chewed pet food bags, etc.
- rodent droppings
- tracks from rats or mice may be visible on dusty surfaces
- Gnawing marks on wires, etc.
- grease marks on walls, etc. from the natural oils on fur
- stench from rat/mice urine that smells like ammonia
- nesting debris such as piles of light material such as paper, lint and insulation
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Rats and mice can easily move along exposed rafters in a garage, and can crawl along wires and ropes. They can also jump up to one foot and easily walk along stacked boxes.
Good choices for trap installation:
- near food storage
- along walls
- corners of a garage
- walls behind of shelves
- near pet food
- near automobiles
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your garage:
- Keep boxes tightly sealed and make sure you have access to the perimeter walls
- Keep dog food, cat food, bird seed or other pet food in a sealed spill-proof container
- Any food stored in the garage should be tightly sealed in a plastic container
- Seal utility openings with sealing or a pipe collar
- Cover any vents with ¼-inch mesh screen
- Any gaps in the home should be under ¼-inch
Shed
Many sheds are not sealed up well enough to keep rats and mice out. Rats and mice can squeeze through extremely small openings and take up residence in your shed. Rats in your shed can damage stored items, and also pose a health risk if you come in contact with rodent droppings or urine.
signs of rats/mice in the shed include:
- rodent droppings
- rodent tracks may be visible on dusty surfaces
- materials with visible bite marks from gnawing
- gnawing on wiring
- grease marks on walls, etc. from the natural oils on fur
- stench from rat/mice urine that smells like ammonia
- nesting debris such as piles of light material such as paper, lint and insulation
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- around the perimeter of the shed
- corners inside the shed
- walls behind of shelves
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your shed:
- Plug any holes and keep your shed well sealed
- Keep any stored animal food or bird seed in a tightly-sealed spill proof container
- Don’t leave anything in the shed rats and mice may want to tear up for nesting
- Don’t leave food sources available
Chicken Coops
Rats and mice in the chicken coop will steal eggs, and pose a health hazard to the flock. Keeping rodents out of the coop is essential to healthy chickens.
signs of rats/mice in the chicken coop include:
- rat or mouse droppings (small brown pellet-like droppings
- brown grease marks on structures (from natural oil on fur)
- rat or mouse tracks can sometimes be detected
- gnawing marks
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- Along the perimeter of the chicken coop
- Near feeders
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your chicken coop:
- Use smaller wire than chicken wire — it does not keep out rodents
- Do not keep seed out during the night to attract rodents
- Remove water at night when rats are out to drink
- Store chicken feed in a tightly-sealed spill proof container
- Be sure to repair any holes or gaps in your coop that may allow rodents inside
Yard and Property
Rats and mice outside can get out of control quickly, and pose a problem to pets and other wildlife. Rats and mice can spread disease, and their rat droppings and urine are a health hazard. If your yard or property is inhabited by rats or mice, there is a greater chance of the rodents finding away in your home or other structures on your property.
Signs of rats/mice on your property include:
- rat or mouse droppings (small brown pellet-like droppings
- brown grease marks on structures (from natural oil on fur)
- rat or mouse tracks can sometimes be detected
- bite marks on trees and other objects (use rodent detector cards from Goodnature)
- look for “rat runs” — narrow paths in the grass rats repeatedly run along
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
The sooner rats and mice are trapped, the less time they will have to increase in population. A rodent infestation can quickly grow out of control without the proper trapping.
Good choices for trap installation:
- place traps along paths and underneath shrubs and plants
- traps can be mounted on trees because rats/mice often climb onto tree branches
- place along fences
- under dense foliage where rats locate for seclusion
- near wood piles
- under carports
- in or around sheds, barns or other structures
Tips to prevent rats and mice:
- Keep garbage in cans and tightly covered
- Keep dog food and other pet food in a tightly-sealed containers
- Do not place bird seed in feeders
- Keep lumber and firewood stacked away from the home
- Trim vines and shrubs away from your home
- Check the perimeter of your home and other structures for gaps (gaps should not be more than 1/4-inch)
Farm/Barn
Rats and mice can become a big problem on a farm. The often infest horse stables, chicken coops and other areas of your barn. They are attracted to animal food and can be a health hazard by contaminating food and water for farm animals. They also contaminate hey needed for livestock. Rats and mice can spread disease to animals. They can also damage farm equipment by gnawing on electrical wires.
Signs of rats/mice on farm or barn include:
- rat or mouse droppings (small brown pellet-like droppings
- brown grease marks on structures (from natural oil on fur)
- rat or mouse tracks can sometimes be detected
- bite marks on trees and other objects
- look for “rat runs” — narrow paths in the grass rats repeatedly run along
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
The sooner rats and mice are trapped, the less time they will have to increase in population. A rodent infestation can quickly grow out of control without the proper trapping.
Good choices for trap installation:
- along walls or in corners of the barn or other structures
- Install along fences
- near animal feed areas
- install near the opening of burrows
Tips to prevent rats and mice in your farm or barn:
- Keep garbage in cans and tightly covered
- Trim vines and shrubs away from your home
- Check the perimeter of your home and other structures for gaps (gaps should not be more than 1/4-inch)
Vineyard
Rats and mice are prevalent in almost all areas of the US. Vineyards offer a source of grapes for rats to munch on. Vineyard sheds and equipment also provide places for rats and mice to take residence in. Rats and mice in the vineyard can multiply quickly, and soon become out of control. Rodent droppings and urine can be a serious health hazard, and can even carry deadly disease when coming in contact with people. Rodents can also damage equipment by gnawing and chewing through wiring, etc.
signs of rats/mice in the vineyard include:
- rat holes
- rodent droppings
- piles of grape skins left from rats/mice eating grapes
- gnawing marks on stakes and vines
Where to Install the A24 Automatic Rat and Mouse trap
Good choices for trap installation:
- Near farm equipment rats and mice may climb into
- On stakes at the end of vineyard rows
- At the base of trees
- Around the perimeter of storage sheds or other structures
- Inside storage sheds
Tips for keeping rats and mice out of your vineyard:
- Seal holes in storage sheds
- Don’t leave anything around that may provide good nesting materials
- Keep food trash from vineyard employees in covered trash cans
