Piece of Junk (2009-06-04)
It was dead on arrival. It's made of thin, flimsy plastic, and the space for the batteries was so tight I nearly needed a crowbar to get them back out again. When I initially put my (fresh) batteries in, loaded it with bait, and switched it on, the "I'm working" light didn't turn on. No amount of futzing with the batteries or switching it off and on gets it to do anything. I guess they didn't do any quality control.

Does not work! Don`t buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (2009-05-29)
Bought this a week ago, put it under the sink where we would hear the noises coming, the trap went off, I heard it buzzing for about 20 minutes and the light went off to (supposed to be a signal that it caught something)

NOTHING INSIDE when I checked it, not even a roach or something so it tells me :

a, either the rat flipped the bird and walked out of it
b, it activates itself without a rat/mouse

THIS PRODUCT SUCKS!!... and I paid for it $60+ with shipping...

WORKS IMMEDIATELY, FOR ALL BUT THE SMARTEST RATS ( who are probably escapees from a research lab) (2009-05-26)
Have had great success with this product for over 5 years. Average size of rats killed is 8 inches, excluding the tail. Also killed many mice. Have used different bait combinations, incl. manufacturer's recommended peanut butter (not so good), kitten kibble (somewhat effective), and a buffet combo of aged cheddar cheese bits + walnut pieces + kitten kibble + bacon bits (totally irrisistible).

Most effective procedure to lure and kill rats/mice:
(1) Place bait inside the trap at the far end of the trap (where the metal end w/ holes is), while leaving the metal plate on the floor of the trap clean and bare of any bait.
(2) Place trap along a "run", usually parallel to a baseboard.
(3) Scatter a little bait outside the trap, in front of trap entryway to lead the rat towards the trap.

(4) !!DO NOT TURN ON THE BAITED TRAP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS!! so the rats will assume this new source of food is safe for them. Be generous with the bait this first couple of days.

(5) On the third day, bait the trap as usual, place it in the exact location as before, and flick the trap's power switch to "On". Voila...you should have your first electrocuted dead rat/mouse the next morning. You will know this because the little green light on top of the trap will be blinking on and off or you will see the rat's tail sticking out of the trap. Turn the switch to "Off". With gloved hands (disposable nitrile gloves are best), pick up the trap with the rat still inside, open your garbage can, slide the dead rat out of the trap into the garbage can.

EASY, CLEAN, NO MESS, NO CARRION ODOR.

In my northern Calif. rural area known for its organic farming and organic grass-fed cattle, I recycle the electrocuted rats. Dig a small hole one foot deep in an area of my garden that dog can't get to, bury electrocuted rat, place a few bricks/heavy stones on top of the little rodent grave and Nature takes care of the rest. Recyle. Good for the planet, good for the earth.

Best invention of the decade !!!! (2009-05-21)
Simple and clean to use...They have finally made a better rat trap....Bravo !!!

OK, I read all the reviews...and for the people who got shocked....are you kidding? This is more simple to operate that the traditional spring traps. Time to drop the macho stuff and "Read The Instructions". It clearly states what the international symbols 0 and l stand for.
As far as the difficulty putting the batteries in...simply put the oppisite ends in the holder first, then where the batteries meet, push down with your thumb. They go right in with no trouble. I've always used peanut butter and just a touch of grain mixed in. That's what rats search for every night....grain. I just put a small amount in the one hole that's in the back. If you put it in the trap, it will give you a false alarm. Then set the back of the trap agaist the wall.Total time to READ the instructions and set...5 Minutes.
Within 24 hours ....Zaaaap! Toasted Rodent !!!!
This has GOT to be the greatest invention of the Decade!!! I put one in my tool shed and I'm off to buy another one for my garage.
A big thanks to the Victor company !!!!
Allen.

Tight Battery Compartment Prevents Unit from Working (2009-05-09)
With high expectations, I bought 3 of these rat traps. After installing new batteries in them, however, I found that all 3 did not work (the green LED did not flash when turned on). Since it would be highly unlikely for all 3 devices to have factory defects, I went back to the store where I bought them to see what I was doing wrong, but the rep there was also befuddled. However, when I re-installed the batteries of one of them, it suddenly worked. That's when I found out what the problem was.

I found that there was a very small gap between the batteries and the contacts, despite the appearance and feel that the batteries were well-seated in the compartment. The problem is that the sides of the compartment are so tight around the batteries that it prevents the back spring from being able to push the batteries forward and eliminate any gaps between the contact points. Once I made the necessary adjustments to ensure good contact, all three units worked.

The tightness of the battery compartment has been mentioned in other reviews, but I don't think anyone has mentioned the problem I had. Probably, the customer just assumed they had a defective unit (especially if they had only bought one unit) and returned it. If your unit doesn't work, I suggest you rule this problem out before returning it. Regardless, the company should redesign the battery compartment.

As for me, it is now time to see if this rat trap warrants the high ratings it has been receiving at this site!

[** Update -- After 2 days, one trap caught 2 rats, a second trap caught 1 rat, and the third trap was untouched, for a total of 3 rats killed. In the several weeks I had been using the wooden spring rat traps, I had only caught one. That's a 3X greater success rate - and in only two days! I guess the results speak for themselves regarding how well this product works - I would give it 5 stars out of 5 for efficacy. Unfortunately, the Amazon program will not let me change my initial rating.

By the way, the rat that was electrocuted today had a body size of 8 inches (not including the tail) - no wonder my wooden traps kept getting sprung without catching anything!]