silverbirch saplings , also ash saplings make great rat whips , i also use thin 3/16 th. fibre glass poles , those 1/2 inch round bendy plastic poles with the steel spike on the end , that are used to hold up the plastic sheep netting that is electrified , they can be found on any farm , and work very well , i have snared some very large rats with them , woodga uses them he also uses holly whips , p and g and duckwing also red dog are all good rat snarers , to get the black 3/16 fibre glass poles contact alan salmon the guy who sells the long nets, hope this helps, snareman.