So you’ve had a close encounter of the whiskery kind. Whether it was the pitter-patter of not-so-tiny paws in the ceiling, or the glimpse of something burrowing in your compost, you are now likely wondering how best to deal with a rat infestation, and have possibly heard of a self-set rat trap.

For first time trappers, it is astounding just how much choice is at your fingertips when looking for a solution. One key thing which can be useful to understand is the difference between self-set and automatic rat traps - particularly for those who are hoping to deal with not one, but many intruders.

In this article we explore what a self-set rat trap actually is, how it differs from an automatic trap and the benefits of going either way. This should give you an understanding of what might work best for you, and your pest problems.

What is a self-set rat trap?

There are a few traps available that fall into the category of ‘self setting’. They are usually a variant of the traditional snap trap, and haven’t changed significantly since their invention. Using a slightly different mechanism to the iconic wood & wire trap, these ‘self set’ traps allow the user to arm the trap without putting their fingers at risk.

In this sense, the ‘self-setting’ aspect of these traps is a more user-friendly design. They do not, as the name suggests, reset themselves after a rat or mouse has been killed. After every kill, the trapper will need to re-bait and reset the trap for it to be live once again.

How do these traps work?

As mentioned, a self-set trap works much the same as a traditional snap trap. A user places a piece of bait on to the trap, and lifts a trap arm to set it into a spring activated lever. When the animal interacts with the bait, the trap is activated and the lever fires, trapping the animal beneath.

These traps suffer from the most common pitfalls of snap traps, such as:

• The need to constantly check and refresh bait for success

• The possibility of inhumane kills if an animal interacts with the trap in an unintended way.

• The need to reset the trap every time it goes off.

For those looking for a more reliable and sustainable solution, an automatic trap could be a much better choice.

So what is an automatic rat trap?

Big problems call for clever solutions, and that’s exactly why we’ve developed the Smart Trap Kit, an automatic rodent trap. For both humble backyard trappers, and large-scale conservation projects, the Smart Trap can be triggered 24 times before needing to be reset.

“You go and set it up, and six months later is the first time you really have to come back” - Tom, Sustainability Manager, Wellington City Council

The consumables within the traps last on average around six months, so it’s usually only a couple of visits to the trap per year. Plus, with our Bluetooth product, the Smart Cap, you can connect your trap directly to your smartphone, allowing you to receive up to date kill information from the trap.

How does the Smart automatic trap work?

Using a world-first CO2 powered mechanism the repeating rodent trap uses pressure to fire a strong trigger, humanely and quickly killing a rodent. When the animal enters the trap, it’s placed in the right position for a kill, so you know it’s going to fire every time. Each CO2 canister can fire the trigger twenty-four times.

This is combined with our long-life paste, developed specifically with rats in mind, the chocolate flavour and irresistible to rats and mice alike. It’s also non-toxic and safe around pets.

Self-set or automatic, which is the best rat trap?

Choosing between a self-set snap trap and an automatic self-set rat trap is really a question of how you’re hoping to trap. Snap traps (either traditional or self-setting) are undoubtedly effective when used correctly, but fall short when it comes to the ability to take a hands-off approach.

What’s more, the bigger the problem you have at home, the more difficult and time-consuming it is to be effective with snap traps.

We always encourage prospective trappers to consider looking into a more sustainable solution and to do your research on effective trapping. Regardless of the type of trap you decide to use, it’s always a good idea to understand how your unwanted visitors behave, and to give yourself the best chance of success.

For more information about the ins-and-outs of urban trapping, we’ve put together a handy guide that contains all the information you may need to get started in your backyard. We think it’s pretty neat.