Ensuring your rat trap works
The A24 trap has gone through extensive real-world use and testing. It’s reliable and has a large user base that’s encountered almost every unusual scenario. Troubleshooting your site doesn’t have to be difficult—review the most common issues below and apply what fits your situation.
1) Pre-feed the Area
Rats are neophobic (wary of new things) and may take time to accept new food sources. Pre-feed your trapping zone with Lure Tasters, a Lure Pouch, or a small smear of lure in and around the trap. Once rats and mice taste (not just smell) the lure, they’re more likely to approach the source inside the trap.
2) Eliminate Food Competition
Your trap’s lure must be the easiest, safest meal available. Remove alternate food sources near the trap—secure pet food, clean up bird seed spills, and store pantry items in rodent-proof containers. Fewer competing calories = more visits to your A24.
3) Test-fire the Trap (Safely)
Confirm the trap is firing correctly. With the unit mounted on a tree mount or portable stand, use a sturdy stick from above to gently graze the leaf trigger—you should hear a loud “thwack.” Keep hands clear; never use fingers to test an A24.
4) Replace CO₂ & Refresh Lure
CO₂ canisters deliver up to 24 strikes—replace when spent. When screwing in a canister, a brief hiss indicates gas charge. The Automatic Lure Pump (ALP) attracts for ~6 months; replace on schedule.
New ALP not dispensing? Make sure you removed the activation coin. Once removed, the ALP begins metering lure for the next six months.
5) Check the Digital Strike Counter
In outdoor or scavenger-heavy areas, kills may be removed between checks. If you use a digital strike counter, confirm it’s installed correctly and periodically verify activity with visual checks and site signs (fur, smear marks, tracks) rather than relying solely on the counter.
6) Give It Time—and Act Early
Infestations build over weeks or months; clearing them also takes time. Deploy early, pre-feed, remove food competition, and stay on top of CO₂ and lure maintenance. Small, consistent adjustments compound into steady results.