Conducting your own rodent removal is difficult because you have to be very careful not to expose yourself to rats directly. Rats in your home or business can potentially spread salmonella, hantavirus, and more dangerous diseases. To add, store-bought rodent traps based on the use of poison can expose people around you to harmful chemicals. We recommend that you try the bucket method for a DIY rat trap. Lean a ramp against a bucket with peanut butter inside near where you believe the rats are hiding. They should climb up the ramp, fall in the bucket trying to get to the peanut butter, and be unable to escape by crawling up the slippery walls.