Choose traps and toxins

Introduction

Find the most suitable pest control tools for your Predator Free 2050 project site.

Steps to choose

The following steps are recommended by Predator Free 2050 community groups:

Single action traps

All single action kill traps listed below are set in a tunnel or cover. Some are separate components that may need to be assembled and maintained correctly, while others are an integrated part of the purchased trap.

The cover or tunnel guides the animal to ensure humane killing and shelters the trap limiting the risk of by-kill and interaction from nontarget species.

When to use toxins instead of traps

  • If there are higher pest densities at your site, trapping will be labour intensive and inefficient unless the traps are self-resetting. Toxins are often a better choice in such circumstances.
  • Your local pest populations can become trap shy or poison shy if you stick to the same control method for a long time. Changing the tool can help you reach more targets.

Any traps listed below have passed NAWAC testing guideline and list of species for humane trapping.

Reset

DOC series 150, 200, and 250

Double-set DOC-200 trap.
DOC-200 double-set trap
Image: Erana Stevens-Tulip | DOC

Kill targets: weasels, stoats, ferrets, and rats
Best for:

  • DOC 150, 200: weasel, stoat and rat control
  • DOC 250: ferret control

Pros: long service life, proven effective

The DOC series:

  • must be used inside a covered tunnel box following best practice tunnel design
  • requires some expertise to check the trigger sensitivity over time
  • comes in single-trap or double-trap combinations – doubles are recommended for stoat control
  • may require box modification to exclude non-targets, such as small children, weka, and kea.

It is recommended that the side or extended entrance tunnel designs are used in areas where domestic cats may be present. For kea/weka area DOC-series tunnel designs contact your local DOC office.

Download technical guide

DOC series best practice tunnel designs (PDF, 7,300K)

Lure

For weasels, stoats, ferrets:

  • fresh rabbit meat
  • Connovation Erayz (salted rabbit)
  • Connovation PoaUku long life lure
  • eggs – less attractive but longer lasting or Connovation Eggsellent Lure.

For rats:

  • peanut butter – Connovation Ferafeed, peanut butter mixed with rolled oats
  • other nut-based or chocolate lures.

BT 200 and 250 trap

A metal clamp sits in a cutaway of a wooden box tunnel. A small opening is at one end. At the other, after the clamp is an egg.
A BT 200 trap cutaway
Image: National Springs & Wire Products NZ Ltd ©

Kill targets: stoats and ferrets
Best for:

  • BT200: stoat, weasel and rat, control
  • BT250:  ferret control

Pros:  long service life, proven effective

The BT200 and BT250 traps come in both zinc plated and full stainless options with good solid weld points. It is recommended that the extended DOC 200 tunnel design is used in areas where domestic cats are present.

The BT200 is 2 mm larger than the DOC 200 version, so take extra care of distance between trap and tunnel walls when installing into a DOC-series wooden tunnel design.

Lure

For weasels, stoats and ferrets:

  • fresh rabbit meat
  • Connovation Erayz (salted rabbit)
  • Connovation PoaUku long life lure
  • eggs – less attractive but longer lasting, or
  • Connovation Eggsellent Lure.

For rats:

  • peanut butter (Connovation Ferafeed, peanut butter mixed with rolled oats)
  • other nut-based or chocolate lures.

PodiTrap

A PodiTraip sitting in a field surrounded by cows
The trap has an easy to use handle
Image: PodiTrap ©

Kill targets: ferrets
Best for: ferret control
Pros: new technology, easy to set, safe and convenient

The trap can be easily set from the outside without tools. The handle is used for setting and works as a ‘flag’: a raised handle indicates it is set, a lowered handle that it needs resetting – no need to check every trap.

The trap is also designed so users cannot open the trap once set. Its stackable plastic housing makes it light and portable.

Lure

For ferrets:

  • PodiTrap bait
  • fresh rabbit meat
  • Connovation Erayz (salted rabbit).

Rewild Trap

A white plastic tube with a hole in one end and a red piece of plastic sticking out of the top of it.
A rewild trap
Image: Indemic ©

Kill targets: ferrets
Best for: ferret control
Pros: new technology, compact, lightweight, safe, and easy to use

The Rewild Ferret Trap is a single set and is designed around an integrated tunnel-and-trap mechanism.

It is also designed to be safe for the user, particularly for a trap of this power.

Lure

For ferrets:

  • Fresh rabbit meat
  • Connovation Erayz (salted rabbit)
  • eggs – less attractive but longer lasting.

A24 trap

A24 self-resetting trap.
A24 self-resetting trap by Goodnature
Image: Goodnature ©

Kill targets: stoats, weasels, and rats
Best for: controlling rats when trapping is the preferred control option 
Pros: new technology, labour saving, no resetting required, continuous kill

The A24:

  • is a self-resetting trap
  • can trigger 24 times before needing a CO2 canister change.

Lure

For rats: Goodnature Rat Lure 
For stoats: Goodnature Stoat Lure

Victor Professional PCR Model

Modified Victor trap with tunnel.
Modified Victor trap with tunnel
Image: Pest Control Research ©

Kill targets: stoats and rats
Best for: controlling low-density rat populations over small areas
Pros: cost effective, small, light and easy to set 

The Victor modified trap is a Victor rat trap with a plastic fitting which makes it humane and suitable for targeting stoats.

Use inside a tunnel or plastic pipe to shelter the trap and limit the risk of by-kill.

Watch a how-to video about the modified Victor trap.

Lure

For stoats: 

  • 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' by Traps.co.nz
  • Connovation Erayz

For rats:

  • 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' or 'Rat & Possum Lure' by Traps.co.nz
  • chocolate or peanut butter.

Victor Professional

A Victor trap shown on the ground
Victor Professional trap

Kill targets: rats
Best for: controlling low-density rat populations over small areas and backyard trapping.
Pros: cost effective, small light and easy to set

Suitable for trapping in native forest where ship rats are most prevalent.

Use inside a tunnel or plastic pipe to shelter the trap and limit the risk of by-kill.

Lure

For rats:

  • 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' or 'Rat & Possum Lure' by Traps.co.nz
  • chocolate or peanut butter.

Envirotools – D Rat, Lumberjack, and Supervisor Max

Two yellow traps. One is shown on the top on grass next to a wooden tunnel. On the bottom of the image, is a yellow plastic wedge shaped trap shown on the ground.
Shown on the top is the Envirootools D-Rat Lumberjack model. On the bottoms is the Envirotools Envirotools Supervisor Max

Kill targets: rats
Best for: controlling low-density rat populations over small areas and backyard trapping
Pros: safe for children and pets, cost effective, easy to use

The range of Envirotools traps are designed and manufactured in New Zealand specifically for New Zealand conditions. Made from stainless steel and UV-resistant polymer.

Lure

For rats:

  • 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' or 'Rat & Possum Lure' by Traps.co.nz
  • chocolate or peanut butter.

NZ Autotraps AT220

A AT220 trap attached to the side of a wooden stake as a demonstration
AT220
Image: NZ AutoTraps

Kill targets: possums and ship rats
Best for: controlling ship rats and possums at medium to low densities
Pros: new technology, labour saving, no resetting required, continuous kill

The AT220:

  • has passed NAWAC testing guidelines for humane trapping of possums and ship rats
  • is a self-resetting and rebaiting kill trap made by NZ Auto Traps
  • up to 100 cycles without the need to tend to and reset
  • 6 months between service – only requires checking every 6 months.

Lure

For possums and ship rats: NZ Autotraps possum lure – flour, sugarfats, aniseed, and cinnamon mixed with peanut oil.

Trapinator

Trapinator.
Trapinator
Image: CMI Springs ©

Kill target: possums
Best for: controlling low-density possum populations
Pros: proven effective, safe, easy to set, lightweight

The Trapinator is: 

  • an all-in-one spring-set kill mechanism in a plastic box
  • mounted by screws onto trees, 1 m above the ground.

Watch a how-to video about the Trapinator

Lure

For possums:

  • peanut butter
  • Connovation Smooth in a Tube
  • possum Dough by Traps.co.nz.

Envirotools Flipping Timmy

A yellow plastic box with a hold in the bottom of it attached to a thing tree.
A Envirotools Flipping Timmy on a tree

Kill targets: possums
Pros: new technology, lightweight, safe, easy to use

The Flipping Timmy possum trap is based on the Timms trap. It is mounted vertically removing the need to bend over which ensures a clean catch area.

The Flipping Timmy meets NAWAC’s humane trap-testing guidelines.

The trap is designed for a long life with stainless steel components and UV resistant polymers. It is guaranteed by the manufacturer for 5 years.

Sentinel

A trap set inside a white casing is attached to the side of a tree.
A Sentinel trap on a tree

Kill targets: possum
Pros: proven effectiveness, lightweight, cost effective

The Sentinel is a lightweight possum trap set suitable for use in remote areas of native forest where the portable design allows more traps to be packed in.

Has a white Corflute cover for visibility and to orientate the possum to the trap. Each set includes trap, tree attachment, bait clip and Corflute cover.

Lure

For possums:

  • peanut butter
  • Connovation Smooth in a Tube
  • possum Dough by Traps.co.nz.

Warrior

A Warrior trap placed on the ground. It is mainly black with bright orange warning labels saying not to touch it.
A Warrior trap

Kill targets: possums
Pros: proven effectiveness, long service life, robust and durable

The Warrior is lightweight (850 g) easy-tocarry possum trap. It has a 1.6 mm thick annealed spring steel body.

With a strong, rigid structure, it is designed to be fixed to a tree with screws, 1 m above the ground.

Lure

For possums:

  • peanut butter
  • Connovation Smooth in a Tube
  • possum Dough by Traps.co.nz.

SA2 Kat trap

A large black box with a big opening is placed on an example piece of wood laying propped up against a vertical piece of wood.
A SA2 Kat Trap

Kill targets: possum
Pros: proven effectiveness, robust and durable

Durable and robust, the SA2 Kat trap is an effective single-kill possum trap. The trap has passed NAWAC testing for possum and feral cats as a raised trap only.

It is recommended the trap is placed 750 mm above the ground on an angle (up to 45 degrees), but if weka are present this height and angle will need to be increased to 1.3 m and 55 degrees respectively.

Lure

For possums:

  • peanut butter
  • Connovation Smooth in a Tube
  • possum Dough by Traps.co.nz.

Cholecalciferol toxin (vitamin D3)

Kill target: rats and possums
Best for: controlling rats or possums at medium to low densities
Pros: can be used without a licence; low secondary poisoning risk
Cons: pests can become bait shy if the bait is used incorrectly; requires a pre-feed

Cholecalciferol:

  • is a naturally-occurring substance found in liver, fish oil, egg yolk and milk fat
  • is often used as a health supplement, but is toxic in high doses
  • must be used in bait stations for most PF2050 projects
  • requires one prefeed of non-toxic bait.

Examples of cholecalciferol for rat control:

  • Feracol
  • LDC Feracol Paste Bait
  • D3 Rat One Feed Bait

Examples of cholecalciferol for possum control:

  • Feracol paste
  • Feracol Strikers
  • LDC Feracol Paste Bait
  • Pestoff Decal Possum Bait

First-generation anticoagulant toxins

Kill target: rats
Best for: controlling rats where possum population densities are not high
Pros: does not require a pre-feed, can be used without a licence
Cons: ineffective in possum-infested areas (possums out-compete rats for the bait); potential for low kill rates if inadequate amounts are used; incorrect usage can lead to resistance in rats

First-generation anticoagulants:

  • are weak, blood-thinning toxins that interrupt the body’s ability to clot
  • require multiple bait applications over 1 wk period
  • remain in the body for a shorter time than second generation anticoagulant other toxins, limiting the threat of by-kill of non-target species
  • must be used in bait stations for most PF2050 projects
  • do not require a pre-feed of non-toxic bait
  • are safer than second-generation anticoagulants, which are suited to special cases only.

Examples of first-generation anticoagulants for rat control

  • Coumatetralyl (Racumin Paste)
  • Diphacinone (Ditrac All-Weather Rodent Block, RatAbate Paste, Pestoff Rat Bait 50D, D-Block for the Control of Rats (RatAbate Blocks), D-Block Extreme)
  • Pindone (Pindone Pellets for possums and rats)

Diphacinone + cholecalciferol (D+C) toxic baits

Kill target: rats and possums
Best for: controlling rats or possums at medium to low densities
Pros: can be used without a licence

Because D+C baits are relatively new there is a limited amount of knowledge of effectiveness and how best to use

Diphacinone + cholecalciferol:

  • the combination of the 2 different types of toxin has a synergistic poisoning effect
  • should have higher potency than first-generation anticoagulants
  • remain in the body for a shorter time than second generation anticoagulant other toxins, limiting the threat of by-kill of non-target species
  • must be used in bait stations
  • do not require a pre-feed of non-toxic bait

Examples of diphacinone + cholecalciferol baits for rat or possum control

  • There is only one registered D+C bait, Double Tap
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