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Rat Zapper Classic vs Rat Zapper Ultra Rodent Trap: The Comparative Review

Rat Zapper Classic is the #1 Best Seller among electronic traps in a Pest control traps category. This trap has been well known by customers for many years – they like and trust it so much. But also there is a modern “younger brother” – the Rat Zapper Ultra Rodent trap that is also very popular.


Do you want to know which trap of Rat Zapper is the best and why? Read our comparative review and you will decide which model suits you best.

Rat Zapper Classic vs Rat Zapper Ultra: what are the similarities and differences?

First, look at the common features of both traps:

1. There is a humane way to get rid of rodents compared with different poison baits – it is a blitzkrieg-like killing of mice and rats by an 8,000-volt electrical shock.

2. It is easy to apply. All you need to do is to insert batteries, turn on the device, put a piece of peanut butter on it, and leave it to work.

3. You have not to touch dead animals. The trap is easy to empty. No blood or viscera of dead animals will end up on your floor.

4. It’s a good choice for indoors as well as various outbuildings.

5. Both traps kill 1 mice/rat per setting.

6. These traps both work with the Rat Zapper Rat Tale Remote Monitor. This device makes using Rat Zapper traps easier.

Differences between Rat Zappers Traps

  Rat Zapper Classic RZC001 Rat Zapper Ultra Rodent Trap
Type of batteries 4 “AA” batteries 4 “D” batteries
Kills per set of batteries 20 mice or rats 60 mice or rats
Sizes of killed rodent from small to large from small to largest
Price  

If you are not suffering from a plague of rats and don’t need the big “Ultra” device, then choose the time-honored “Classic.” We have collected the most useful info about the Rat Zapper Classic and hope that it will help you to make your choice between two models.

FYI! Rats and mice have different behavior around new objects. Rats are cautious, and it may be a week before they approach a trap. Mice are curious and will normally approach traps the first night. If you don’t catch a mouse in the first few nights, the trap is in the wrong location. To help rats overcome trap shyness, place rat traps unset, in place, for several days. This allows rats to overcome shyness and results in better catches (University of Florida).

Pros & Cons of Rat Zapper Classic trap

Pros
  • It’s a high quality trap: Even after a year of using, customers have still been satisfied with their purchase. They say that the unit is going strong and works well on middle-sized rats and mice.
  • It works super fast: How would you feel if this trap killed 11 nasty rats in your house on only the first day of using? You’d feel awesome! Just saying.
  • Also you may use Rat Zapper Classic for killing squirrels if you’re desperate for getting rid of them by using humane ways. One customer wrote: “I hate the thought of killing, but we have a squirrel and chipmunk problem so I bought one. It works as advertised.”
Cons
  • This product desperately needs an AC adapter.
  • You must not use this electronic trap outdoors without some sort of waterproof accessory.

Rat Zapper RZC001-4 Wishing Zapper RZC001 Classic Rat Trap (Pack of 4), 4 Pack, Purple

Helpful tip: If you aren’t going to kill these pretty fur-bearing creatures, try to locate the trap in a place unreachable for squirrels (or use remedies from our “The complete guide to keeping squirrels away”). You can avoid this easily if you use Rat Zapper only indoors. If you use it outdoors (but the manufacturer doesn’t recommend it!), take an ordinary plastic storage box to solve the problem of the device water-resistance. All you need to do is to place the device inside the box!

Tips by customers:

1. “After several kills, Zapper may begin to smell of dead rodents. In this case, the remaining rats won’t come into the trap. You will have to clean it up using vinegar and dish detergent.” If batteries are fresh, but the trap has begun to operate worse, you need to clean it, too. At first, pull out the batteries and take any old kitchen utensil or washbasin with a little detergent. Put the trap into some water on the floor of the utensil, sprinkle it with detergent powder and leave it there on some time. Then brush the device with an old toothbrush, rub it with wet cloth, dry it accurately and leave on time at fresh air. Finally, you may insert batteries back – your tool is ready for a battle!

2. Change batteries more frequently! This will make the trap work more effectively, without false responses.

3. Use gloves when you handle the box as to best not transfer human scent. Also, rats are wary of new things in their environment – so you need to call for a little patience.”

4. One customer noticed that this trap was not effective for gophers, and advised them to not use Rat Zapper Classic, but use the Rat Zapper Ultra instead.

Rat Zapper - Electric Mouse Traps Indoor for Home - Safe and Effective Mice Traps for House Indoor Kill - Rat Zapper Electronic Rat Trap Reusable and No Touch - Outdoor Electric Rat Trap

In his opinion, the last is more powerful than a classical version since it is capable of killing animals instead of paralyzing them (what is inhumane and cruel against any animal). A classical model of this trap works best on small squirrels, as he has written: “To bait them, place the dry bait at the back side of Zapper and then place few seeds at the entrance.”

5. The Rat Zapper comes without bait. Use a small amount of natural ingredients, don’t put in special poison for rats: Electronic traps and poison rat baits are used separately. Someone uses bananas as a bait for this trap – and it works, oddly enough!

Questions and answers about Rat Zapper Classic and Rat Zapper Ultra

Is it necessary to empty the trap immediately after each killed mouse or is it possible to wait while several of them gather?

You would do better to keep an eye on the trap and take away a dead carcass immediately after a successful response, in order not to make a lot of dirt inside Rat Zapper and have enough time to put a fresh bait inside.

OWLTRA OW-1 Indoor Electric Rat Trap 2PCS, Instant Kill Rodent Zapper with Pet Safe Trigger, Black

May I use rechargeable batteries in these traps?

Yes, for example, you may use Eneloop NiMH batteries for the Classic trap and SunLabz Rechargeable Batteries for the Ultra trap.

I have 3 dogs at home, one of them is a small Chihuahua. Is it safe to keep such a trap near the animals? Can any of them get into or thrust the paw in?

Even your smallest dog is unlikely to get into the entrance opening of the trap. However, as this is an electrical device, you’d better to keep it in the place unreachable for dogs, cats, and young children, especially Rat Zapper Ultra because it is larger than Classic one.

Do these traps work better then electronic rat repellers?

Of course, ultrasonic pest repeller is the most humane way to get rid of rats and mice at home and if you don’t want to kill animals you may use repeller. But if you already applied all natural remedies and don’t see other ways to eliminate rodents besides killing, you have to use electronic rat trap.

So, now you can decide on your own which trap of these two – Rat Zapper Classic for or Rat Zapper Ultra – will be the best solution of your indoor rodent problem. Good luck!

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6 thoughts on “Rat Zapper Classic vs Rat Zapper Ultra Rodent Trap: The Comparative Review”

  1. Bought both units last week, baited with sunflower seeds. Both units have caught chipmunks and ground squirrels. Excellent traps.

  2. I have been using the Rat zapper for over a decade. The original units (silver not grey) had no kill limit and they are still working. Purchased my first classic last year. Out of 5 purchased 4 no longer work. The shock plate is shorted out and there is no ability to remove or clean under the shock plate on these. I use these units around my property, always inside, to prevent chewing damage on stored cars, tractors and other equipment. The newer classic has lots of false kill signals, the batteries will go dead in a few weeks when they have not been triggered. Don’t waste your money a classic. Buy the Ultra. Now that Rat Zappers are made by Victor I see a limit of 60 has been set. I do not like that and they will hear from me. Based upon what I paid for the last 3 units, that is 75 cents per kill.

  3. I put a Zapper behind my refrigerator and went out to feed pets. Started that and set another Zapper in the garage. Went back in the house to mix up pets’ food and there was a fresh kill. 10 minutes! I was impressed! Took prepared food out to pets and checked the Zapper in the garage and BAM! Had another one, a BIG sucker!!! That one was in 5 minutes! Very pleased. I am dubious about reading the reviews from those who say the Zappers don’t work after a few weeks. However, my sister has had two for more than a decade and both hers still work. She leaves them in her garage 365 days a year.

    1. YES! That is exactly what I like to hear. Thank you for sharing your successes. Nice work putting them in the right spot! That is probably the most important piece of the puzzle. I too think they are a great tool for DIY Pest Control. I will do some investigating on the “reports” of short effective lifespan. I suspect humidity and corrosion on the terminals from cheap batteries is the issue.

  4. Rat Zapper Ultra only worked twice but after that when you turn it on the red light comes on and flashes. When you turn it off the red light goes faint but still glows. These are brand new batteries tested at 1.51 volts.
    Any suggestions?

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