Nuisance Animal Trapping Primer
If you've tried repellents, excluding, and
frightening away a pest animal and it's still causing problems, you can trap and release it, or use a lethal trap.
Trapping is an effective way to remove a specific pest animal, but isn't useful against a large local population over the long run. In the latter case, trapping should be done in conjunction with exclusion, fencing, or altering the habitat.
It's best to call your local wildlife officer to handle nuisance and pest animals. However, if you're willing to do the dirty work
of trapping the pest yourself, here are some tips that you may find useful:
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Minimize signs of humans. Handle traps as little as possible and mask your scent by
wearing gloves.
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Make sure the trap is the proper size and sturdy enough to handle the
pesty animal that is causing you problems.
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Anchor the trap so the animal can't roll it over and eventually escape.
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Bait the trap a few times before setting to train the animal that it's a safe to approach it.
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Make a trail of treats to the trap, and pile some in the back or on the trap for the
animal to find.
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Disinfect the trap with bleach after using. Rabies is transmitted by saliva, and you don't necessarily have to be bitten to
get the disease.
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Place plywood or other material under live traps to prevent animal from scratching up the lawn or garden once they're caught.
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Use extreme caution when releasing large animals (e.g. raccoon, skunk, woodchuck). The safest method is to tie a
strong rope to the trap door. Run the rope through an open window into your vehicle, so you can pull open the trap door from a
safety point and distance.
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Opossum
Trap - Rear Release - 36 inches
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Check traps daily, and release or bury animals as soon as possible.
Live Trapping
Live trapping and releasing animals has become popular. It seems no one really wants to hurt those creatures.
In many cases live trapping can be more cruel than killing the animal outright. Relocated animals
sometimes become disoriented and aren't able to fit into their new surroundings, often starving to death. If you use
live traps, contact the Humane Society
to determine the best methods, times to trap, and the best way to release a wild or
pest animal before setting the trap. Some animals are protected from trapping by
state laws in various states.
Once you've caught the animal, be careful. Wild animals can carry diseases such as rabies.
Frightened skunks will be more likely to
spray (De-Skunk
Skunk Odor Remover), and an agitated woodchuck will nip in self-defense.
Humane traps are like pet
carriers. Handles make it easier to transport animals to a more suitable
location.
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Safeguard Box Trap - Front Release 18 inchesThis smaller Safeguard Box Trap is constructed of 1/2 X 1" long lasting galvanized wire mesh. Mounted with reinforced spring loaded front release door. Great for trapping red squirrels, chipmunks and Rats. Fully assembled.
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Safeguard Box Trap, Front Release 30 inchesThis Safeguard Box Trap is constructed of 1 X 1" long
lasting galvanized wire mesh that blends into 1/2 X 1" mesh towards back of trap
to protect baited area. Mounted with reinforced spring loaded front door.
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Beetle Bagger Japanese Beetle Trap KitGreat for luring Japanese Beetles, this trap by Bonide attracts beetles by using a floral/pheromone system that covers 5000 sq. ft. Offers protection throughout the entire season. Trap is designed not to collect water.
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Beetle Bagger Refill Bags 6 packUse this refill bag for collecting Japanese Beetles with the Beetle Bagger Japanese Beetle trap kit by Bonide. Collection bags are easy to use. Easy and quick disposal method. Bags will not hold water. Contains 6 bags.
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Squirrel, Rabbit & Skunk Trap KitSafeguard Traps provide you with a safe way to 'catch and release' that unwanted critter from your property. It's the humane solution. Made with a heavy-duty reinforced spring-loaded door, to provide maximum performance and superior animal retention.
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Safeguard Box Trap, Front Release 24 inches
Safeguard Box Trap, Front Release 36 inches
Beetle Bagger Replacement Trap Lures
