What kills rats quickly?

What kills rats quickly in a house is a mechanical quick-kill trap rather than poison which takes days to work. The fastest options are rat-sized snap traps with powerful springs, often called T-Rex or professional snap traps, that kill within seconds by breaking the neck or spine when the rat triggers the bait plate. These traps are much larger and stronger than mouse traps and must be used for rats, as mouse traps will not kill a rat quickly and can cause prolonged suffering. Electronic rat traps that deliver a high-voltage shock also kill within seconds by causing cardiac arrest and allow for no-touch disposal and are considered humane quick-kill devices. Both types are faster and more humane than glue traps which do not kill quickly and are considered inhumane, and faster than anticoagulant poisons which take 24 hours to several days to cause internal bleeding and often cause rats to die hidden inside walls creating odor problems and secondary poisoning risks to pets. To ensure quick kill, place traps perpendicular to walls along runways where droppings and grease marks are seen, bait with peanut butter, bacon, or dried fruit, use many traps at once, and keep them away from children and pets. For large infestations, a licensed pest control professional can provide commercial grade quick-kill trapping.