Baiting For Rats, am I asking for trouble?

Some rats don't care for peanut butter, but most will eat it. When I have one that avoids the PB, I use a slice of apple anchored down with bamboo skewers and rats have never turned apple down so far but I like apples so they get PB 99% of the time! LOL!

I wonder does the species of rat makes a bait difference in terms of effectiveness? Where I am we get mainly Norway rats and almost never any roof rats. PB works very well, as does any type of nut the squirrels could not get to before their demise. Cat food here just attracts the opossums, fox, fart squirrels and trash pandas. The rats also love the chicken coop and feeder block ( which makes for a challenging shot through the fencing at night) but they seem to leave the quail feed alone. 

I don’t think the bait matters much. I’ve gotten both Norway and Roof rats using bird seed. 
As you pointed out. The use of cat food will attract the cats. I’ve even had a feral cat that would eat chicken food. 
The raccoons and possums eat anything. So not much you can do about that. 
Well there is one thing........

Some rats don't care for peanut butter, but most will eat it. When I have one that avoids the PB, I use a slice of apple anchored down with bamboo skewers and rats have never turned apple down so far but I like apples so they get PB 99% of the time! LOL!

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That is my experience as well. A fresh piece of Fuji apple never fails to get a sniff and lick, but often not a strong enough bite to trigger a trap. Whereas often peanut butter is often completely ignored. I give them a freebee piece of apple not on the trap after they eat that they usually bite the one on the trap the next day. Apples may be better than seeds, but they spoil in less than a day and seeds last for weeks or more.

BTW Norway rats.

There must not be a woman around because ALL THE MEN ARE CORRECT.

Just had an early morning, pre-coffee, idea... I'll sprinkle bird seed on top of the PB and chocolate syrup.

In the Summer months, when it's OK to have the kitchen window open, the rats REGULARLY ate at suet cake feeder and I shot at least ten.

How can they resist that!?

Baiting is a must, You pick the best safe dispatching place away from livestock.

I make up a paste of sweetcorn oatmeal and fish for a bit of stink....This works great as they can't just grab your bait and leg it...They have to lap at it...Giving you more time on your shot. 

I'm out later tonight on a bunny cull and rat dispatch session.....Funny getting them drunk first...Have to have a dabble in that one! 

Baiting is a must, You pick the best safe dispatching place away from livestock.

I make up a paste of sweetcorn oatmeal and fish for a bit of stink....This works great as they can't just grab your bait and leg it...They have to lap at it...Giving you more time on your shot. 

I'm out later tonight on a bunny cull and rat dispatch session.....Funny getting them drunk first...Have to have a dabble in that one! 

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I like your recipe!

Works well, I have it in an old Mayo squeeze bottle...Can get very stinky with the fish if left in a hot van for a few days. Ha ha 

Too true, Baiting over time and just monitor gives you more of a clue how bad your problem is.

They are after high protein at the end of the day, Hence the fish aspect in the stinky concoction.

Works well, I have it in an old Mayo squeeze bottle...Can get very stinky with the fish if left in a hot van for a few days. Ha ha 

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"hot van for a few days", priceless. You can't buy that poop!

Good job to....Imagine the smell of breakages Ha ha.. 

But would be good....Two bottles of stick and a pack of smokes please.