Here is a wonderful idea for a Rat Trap, although it requires a bit of work and you have to touch the dead rodents.
Despite months of production delays and protest from far left "Rats have rights too" groups ---primarily "Ratus Ratus Unite" and "Plague Forever" both sponsored by the Ratatouille Society.
The first working prototype of the long awaited self reloading, chicken safe, and rat friendly "Magnum Ratus Gotus" rolled of the production line in November 2008. The basic principle and theory for its simple design is gravity and it is fashioned in the ancient seafaring, Pirate tested "Walk the Plank" tradition.
Access to the baited inner chamber of this rat trap is gained by ascending a wooden ramp which is provided with numerous little steps to facilitate good traction for those tiny little feet -- hand rails were considered for the elderly and infirmed and may be included in future models however the ever increasing demand placed on production by the out of sight reproductive capabilities demonstrated by the over sexed local population precluded last minute changes in the prototype design.
The volunteer then reaches a landing area where they may rest and study the situation before making their final decision. The hinged landing area is counter balanced for a false sense of security with adjustable weights provided by washers on a bolt with a wing-nut for easy calibration and adjustment.
If greed and hunger are their primary driving force then access to the molasses laden mixture of corn, wheat, and other grains held in the wire receptacle on the other side of the inner chamber is gained through a small opening fashioned as a stylized Rat Hole.
Once inside the real fun begins, the final 10 inches of the walkway have been sanded smooth as a baby's bottom and coated with a liberal layer of bacon grease, the bacon grease not only adds to the olfactory stimulus but also provides a certain "OH No" factor as the volunteer tries to hang on to the plank as it dumps them into the water bath below (water not included because of transportation cost), the counter balanced plank then returns to its original landing position awaiting the next participant.
Of course the water bath will be meticulously maintained at 102 degrees F to give a soothing "Hot Tub" sensation to the experience. A removable wire cover is provided to keep the chickens out as well as providing easy retrieval of volunteers and also to discourage those not participating in the "Swim for your Life" competition from throwing the participants a life line.
Although the design seems sound and proven, mass production will have to await intensive field test which are underway.
For an easier method of rodent removal, check out the Rat Zapper rat and mouse trap.
