A common item on most hardware store shelves include live cage traps in varying sizes. When homeowners have a nuisance critter in their home or on their property these live traps are purchased with the intent of a DIY eviction. There are some tips and practices that should be exercised when utilizing the traps to help ensure success.
- Knowing your target animal
Seeing a raccoon walk across your deck does not take much investigation, but what about a critter in the wall of attic? There are many times when homeowners feel they have squirrels but are actually dealing with a mouse. There are times when homeowners find a hole near their foundation and believe they have a groundhog but in fact are dealing with a skunk. The species of critter on site will dictate the trap size, bait and even trap placement. No assumptions should be made with the type of critter on site. There are many ways to identify the nuisance animal. One of the most objective DIY methods utilizes wifi motion cameras outside or in the attic to identify the critter.
2. Handling the trap
It can be tempting to rip the packaging off a new trap and set it into the field. Before doing so, gloves must be worn to reduce the amount of human scent left on the trap. Human scent on a trap can dissuade critters from taking the bait. Gloves should remain on through the entire process of setting the trap even when placing the bait inside.
3.Pre bait the area
In some cases throwing a can of tuna fish in the back of the live trap can yield a successful capture. In other cases when dealing with a savvy critter or an experienced adult that method will not work. For animals with higher resistance to the new objects (neophobia) spreading the bait around the area as well as inside the trap can help lower that critters resistance. This practice will lead to more successful captures.
Knowledge of the equipment being utilized can help reduce the amount of unsuccessful trapping attempts. Always keep in mind that critters are highly adaptable and intelligent. Correctly identifying the critter, utilizing gloves to reduce scent and pre baiting your traps are strong common practices in wildlife control.