A Tip for Trapping Rats

Predator Free Halswell is a group of Halswell Locals who are working to remove predators like rats, possums and stoats from around the Port Hills and eventually this will be taken out to wider Halswell.   Rats, possums and stoats are a major issue for our native birds and they are also not good for our native insects and lizards.  Keeping their numbers down with trapping is a big help for these species and many groups are working to do this across the Port Hills.

In Halswell we have a number of people who are trapping in their back yards and a number of people are also helping to check and maintain traps in Halswell Quarry Park.  If you are interested in getting involved then check out our Facebook page and get in touch via that.

For more of these kinds of tips and information about predator control work in Halswell, check out our Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/PredatorFreeHalswell

Pre-baiting for rats.

Rats are clever and cautious and need to feel safe, and it is possible to lull them into feeling safe.

Try setting up a 'rat cafe' by putting your rat tunnel out unset and baited. Put your bait (eg peanut butter) all around the trap including in front of the entrance way.

Repeat every few days.

This teaches the rats that your rat tunnel is an excellent source of food. It also establishes scent trails which other rats will follow.

After a couple of weeks, rebait the trap and entrance area and set your trap. You will have more success with this method than going straight to a baited and set trap. If your trap goes quiet, start again but change the bait e.g to nutella.