What Is a Trap?
A trap is a device designed to capture wildlife, often used when direct capture by hand is challenging or dangerous.
Uses of Traps
Traps are commonly employed to capture vermin that negatively impact agriculture, as well as wild cats. They are also useful for retrieving domestic dogs or cats that have escaped. Proper usage of traps is crucial to ensure the captured animals are not harmed.
Characteristics of Traps
1. Advantages
The primary advantage of traps is the safety they provide both to humans and animals. Capturing wild animals, particularly those unaccustomed to human interaction can be hazardous. Traps allow for safe and injury-free handling.
2. Disadvantages
However, traps can be complex to set up effectively. Understanding the target animal’s habits and territory is essential for successful capture. Additionally, placing traps at feeding locations can improve their effectiveness, but this requires time and effort to determine.
Types of Traps
Traps are generally categorized into treadle and hanging types:
1. Treadle Type
Treadle traps feature a board at the base that triggers the entrance door to close when stepped on. Bait is used to lure animals onto the board. However, some animals may avoid the board and access the bait without triggering the trap.
2. Hanging Type
Hanging traps contain a hook for bait at the back. When an animal moves the hook to eat the bait, the door closes. This type can be more effective than treadle traps, as it requires only movement to trigger. However, the presence of the hook can pose an injury risk if the animal becomes agitated inside the trap.
How to Choose Traps
Selection of traps should be based on the animal’s size and behavior:
1. Capturing Cats
For capturing cats, especially for sterilization purposes, long and deep traps are preferred. Cats can be agile, and shallow traps may allow them to escape. Extra caution is needed with wild cats, particularly when using hanging traps, to prevent injury from the hooks.
2. Capturing Moles
Moles, often considered agricultural pests, require specialized tube-shaped traps placed in their tunnels. Their habitual movements through fixed paths are exploited for effective trapping.
3. Capturing Wild Boars
Wild boars, also regarded as vermin in some areas, require large, robust traps. Given their strength and potential for violent behavior, sturdy traps designed specifically for boars are recommended. Safety and preparation for difficult scenarios, like the need for anesthesia, should be considered in advance.
How to Use Traps
General guidelines for trap usage include:
1. Preparing and Setting the Bait
Select and place the appropriate bait in the trap, ensuring the trap functions correctly.
2. Setting up the Trap
Position the trap in a location frequently visited by the target animal or within its known territory.
3. Post-Capture Handling
Once an animal is captured, it should be dealt with promptly. In cases like capturing wild boars, be prepared for aggressive behavior to prevent injury to the animal and handlers.