3 minute read

Rodent baiting and trapping techniques

Most farmers would have visited a bait station or a rat trap to find that no bait has been eaten or the trap remains set but the bait is gone.

A well-meaning farmer or lifestyle block owner with great intentions of making a difference to the ecosystem by ridding the property of rodents is easily discouraged by poor results. There are ways to get better results from the rodent control tools available to us. Effective rodent control is not directly proportional to the cost of the device you purchase. Some expensive units may be very effective but a number of low cost traps or bait stations can be equally effective — if used properly.

Use powerful traps

Make sure that you purchase a robust trap that will kill rodents instantly. The power of the steel spring-action is vital. If you can trigger the trap on your fingernail without inflicting any pain on yourself, then you can assume that a similar result will occur on rodents. Traps are supposed to cause instant death by blunt trauma – not a slow one via slow strangulation. National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) evaluation provides validation that the trap has passed a testing process. Any trap that causes a rat to bounce around for several minutes while it dies is not humane. Even though rodents are pests, they do not deserve to die a prolonged and cruel death. Some tried and true brands are Snap E, Tom Cat, T-Rex and Victor Professional. Secondly, ensure the trap is placed correctly. A full-frontal strike across the head between the ears or directly behind the head will ensure that the rodent dies quickly. Placing a trap in a trap box will ensure that the rat approaches the trap from the front. Rats approaching a trap from the side may just be caught by a leg. The Tomcat Tunnel (available instore July 2021) places the T-Rex trap in exactly the correct position for a kill strike. In fact, you get two traps placed in opposite directions in the lockable tunnel. If you are unsuccessful with kill traps, you can also try a live cage trap for rodent control. You can bait these with whatever the rodents are feeding on, such as walnuts from the shed. The live catch can then be dispatched with an air rifle if you have one, or by carefully tipping it into a small sturdy sack and using blunt trauma.

Baits and lures for traps

Mix it up and try different baits. Peanut butter, bacon, cheese or some white bread with jam are all tried and proven baits. Rodents are partial to a varied diet and the more aromatic your bait is, the more attractive it will be. Make sure that the bait is checked regularly, as these may be eaten by insects such as weta, bush cockroaches or crickets — or they may become mouldy and unpalatable. Sometimes mice can delicately eat the bait from a rat trap, without triggering the pressure plate. There are a few artificial lures available and these are worth a try, especially if you can’t inspect your traps often.

For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer, or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Key Industries

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