Backyard hub trapping tips
BACKYARD TRAPPING TIPSWhether you are new to backyard trapping, or are looking to improve your catch rates, these tips should help you control predators. These tips are particularly useful for rat trapping specifically.
Identify which predators you have
Know which predators you’re targeting to ensure you use the right bait and trap.
Look for any signs of predator activity - eg droppings, or teeth marks on fruit.
Chew cards and tracking tunnels are other great ways of identifying which predators are paying you a visit. These are available from the Karioi Project if you want to try this. They’re also a great activity with kids.
Chances are, unless you’re actively trapping already, you’ll find you have rats, but it is best to check!
Predators tend to have regular routes & favourite spots around their home range.
Think like an animal – which parts of your backyard are safe, dry, and warm? Where is the access to food and water?
Look for rat tunnels in your compost pile, or worse - leading under the deck or the house.
Start trapping where you’ve seen signs of activity
If you provide water for birds, use a birdbath rather than a dish on the ground.
Never put meat scraps in your compost. If other food scraps are encouraging rats and mice, consider
composting food using a bokashi bin and keeping your compost heap for garden waste.
Pick up fallen fruit and pick fruit off your trees as soon as it ripens.
Predator-proof your hen house.
Make your traps more appealing by removing food & water sources
Make traps seem ‘safe’ for rats
Rats are timid creatures! When placing your rat trap tunnel ensure that:
It’s stable - not wobbly;
It’s next to a wall/fence/edge - rats run along edges to stay out of sight. A trap in the middle of the lawn is unlikely to catch anything;
Rats can see through the tunnel - i.e. place the tunnel parallel to the house/fence rather than perpendicular to it.
Leave the trap baited but not set for a few nights before setting it. You’ll gain their confidence!
Smear peanut butter around the tunnel’s entrance to attract the rats in.
Check & rebait regularly
Slugs, slaters, insects and mice like to snack on the bait, and can clear a trap of bait overnight. An un-baited trap is unlikely to catch anything! Re-baiting your traps later in the day will increase your chances of rat catches.
Crunchy peanut butter works better than smooth. Chocolate raisins, cheese, Nutella and walnuts can be effective too.
Check rat traps weekly, or more.
Check stoat & possum traps fortnightly, or more.
Have patience!
It may take a few days for the pests to discover and trust your traps. If after a few weeks, you haven’t caught anything, consider moving your trap to another location.