Are your technicians just telling you cookies work, so they have something to snack on during their routes?
PHOTO: KOBEZA/ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS/GETTY IMAGES

During the month of October, we asked Pest Management Professional (PMP) magazine readers to share the most unusual rodent attractant they’ve tried to use. We received responses throughout our social media platforms and in The Buzz Online e-newsletters.

We were inspired to launch the poll after our panel of expert contributors and PMP Editorial Advisory Board members originally answered this question in our October issue.

With more than 60 responses, here is an amalgamation of what readers report make rodent traps and stations more attractive, in addition to the commercially available baits:

• Peanut butter, Cinnamon sprinkled over trap bait with peanut butter
• Slim Jims, Bacon jerky
• Carlsberg beer, Tang
• Tomatoes, Ketchup, Mayonnaise
• Gummy bears, Gummy orange candy slices
• Chewed Starburst candy, Bubble gum, Jelly beans
• Oranges, Mandarin Oranges
• Pieces of Tootsie Roll or Snickers
• Flour, Coriander
• Macadamia nuts, Dates, Roasted coconut
• Fish, Fish oil, Cuttlefish
• Bacon, Bacon grease
• Filet mignon, Hamburger
• Coriander, Ramen noodles, Sweet potatoes, Popcorn
• Banana, Avocado, Baby food
• Cat feces, Snausages dog treats, Canned dog food
• An American cockroach

Some social media comments included:

• “Horse sweet feed.” —Richard Loberger, Retired Florida Certified Pest Control Operator
• “Chocolate nut clusters.” —Randall Jansen, Assistant Fleet Supervisor, ATCO Pest Control
• “Real vanilla extract on a cotton ball.” —Canine Discovery Services
• “Caviar … and it worked.” —Gareth Davies, Director of Specialist Services, Terminix UK Ltd
• “Wine gums.” —Paul Hutton, Owner, Pestforce Dundee

If you haven’t shared an unusual rodent attractant already, you can still answer the poll here. Or if you have, but just thought of another one — drop us a line at [email protected].