1. Get a trap
We are fortunate to have 58 community trapping groups creating a predator free Wellington – that’s one for every suburb and most of the reserves in between! You can get in touch with your local group for your own backyard Victor trap in a wooden tunnel to set and monitor.
2. Find a good spot for your trap
Think like a rat! Choose a location that a rat or mouse is likely to go and feel safe to stop. They don’t normally like wide open spaces and tend to run close to walls, plants and fences – so those are good places to put your trap.
If you don’t have a wall or fence that works, or you’re not catching much, think about where in your garden the rats and mice might be hanging out.
Rodents will be attracted to places where they can find food and water. If you have a compost heap or fruit trees, your resident rats will probably spend time there. Another good place is beside a waterway (if you have one) as rats and mice tend to run alongside streams and creeks.
Make sure the trap box is on firm, solid ground so it doesn’t move or rock when a rat enters the box – this can make them nervous to enter the tunnel.
Top tips:
- Rats prefer cover rather than being out in the open
- They travel along wall and fence lines
- They like the safety of thick, matted vegetation
- Rats use trees as on-ramps to the canopy motorway, so a trap screwed onto a fence, or a branch can be a great place
- think like a rat!
3. Lure them in
Choosing the right bait is hotly debated and fiercely competitive! Most people swear by peanut butter, but researchers at Victoria University of Wellington have found that wild rats prefer cheese, milk chocolate, Nutella and walnuts. It’s best to try different things and rats generally eat almost anything. Make sure you tell your local predator free group what works for you so we can monitor the results.
Bait your trap and consider offering a bit of ‘free’ bait in the tunnel in front of the trap – this encourages them in to the tunnel and helps attract more rodents. This will make it smell good to other animals and hopefully lead to more catches.
4. Set the trap
Practice setting the trap and be careful with your fingers. Check out this useful video from Predator Free Miramar. Don’t forget to secure the trapping tunnel once you’ve set your trap. Predator Free New Zealand also has a huge library of resources, including how to set each trap available in New Zealand.
5. Check your trap frequently
Try checking your trap every two or three days when you get started so you can get an idea on the activity in your backyard. You will need some patience as it may take time for rodents to feel comfortable entering the tunnel. You’ll need to re-bait to keep the bait fresh and it’s worth doing this weekly, like on recycling day. If you have no results after a couple of weeks, try another place in the garden.
6. Dispose of the dead rodents
We recommend composting them, burying them in the garden or putting them in the rubbish.