To trap or bait? (2024)

There are pros and cons that come with any predator control method. What works best for you will depend on several factors.

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  • Things to consider
  • Traps
  • Bait stations

Things to consider

There are pros and cons that come with any predator control method. What works best for you will depend on:

  • Your target area. Is it small/large, populated, easy to access, with clear boundaries?
  • Your target species, eg. possums, rodents. Are you targeting more than one species?
  • Which non-target species (including livestock, native wildlife, pets, etc.) are in the area.
  • Your skill level and experience with different handling methods – i.e. using bait stations vs. setting traps – and the local knowledge you build up of the place(s) you are working in over time.
  • Any aspects that you or others find challenging, eg. an organic property will not want to use toxins; some people don’t want to handle carcasses.
  • Obtaining any necessary permits if using baits.

However, predator control doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. Varying your methods from time to time can reduce the risk of your target species becoming bait shy (refusing old bait or consuming sub-lethal doses).

Often a ‘toolbox’ approach is best because many target predators will have individual preferences – they may prefer a bait station over a trap or vice-versa, or they may have had a bad experience with a toxin, trap or bait station.

Whichever method(s) you choose it’s important to follow best practice, read the manufacturer’s instructions, and check that you’ve acquired any necessary permits or approval.

To trap or bait? (1)

For area-specific advice on which control method to use, contact your local landcare group, council or DOC office. Local predator control contractors also often have good knowledge of what works best.

Traps

Pros:

  • Less potentially hazardous than toxins, eg. avoids non-target effects and accumulation in the environment, but can cause serious injury when used by untrained people.
  • Easy to manage over small areas, eg. small reserves and backyards.
  • Some brands have been tested against and met the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) guidelines (see ‘Welfare performance of animal traps’ on their website). As a general rule, if you are working on a community project (especially ones where traps are visible to the public), NAWAC-approved traps should always be used.
  • Self-resetting traps can be very useful in remote locations or on properties that are not permanently occupied.
  • You always know you have caught something, versus a bait station where you just see eaten bait.

Cons:

  • Can be time-consuming to set and monitor across large areas.
  • Live capture traps, eg. cage traps, require checking every 24 hours.
  • Once a trap has been set off, it is unable to catch anything else until it is re-set.
  • For some people, removing carcasses from traps can be stressful.
  • Costs add up if buying a large number of traps and tunnels.
  • Ineffective if traplines are too far apart and/or not regularly monitored, or where predator density is high (unless using self-resetting traps).

For more, read how to choose the right trap and where to buy traps and equipment.

Bait stations

Pros:

  • Effective over large, sparsely-populated areas.
  • Fast-acting single feed baits such as Brodifacoum can be effective for initial ‘knockdown’ phase if predator density is high.
  • Can save time, resources and money for large-scale predator control.
  • When correctly set up to the right densities, and maintained and serviced properly, bait stations keep on working and can control multiple rats and possums with one bait application.

Cons:

  • Potential risks of toxins to non-target species, including livestock and pets.
  • Prolonged use of some toxins can build up in the environment.
  • Target species can become ‘bait shy’ if toxins are overused, left to go rotten, or delivered in sub-lethal doses.
  • Relevant training and permits may be required. Acute toxins such as cyanide require a Controlled Substances Licence (CSL) and require a significant level of practical experience to use safely and effectively.
To trap or bait? (3)

Commonly-used bait stations include Philproof, Pestoff and Sentry. View our list of bait station suppliers.

To find out more, read our introduction to bait stations, bait stations for possums and bait stations for rodents.

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To trap or bait? (4)To trap or bait? (5)

To trap or bait? (2024)

FAQs

What is bait and trap? ›

What is Bait-Trapping? A temporary corral is set up with bait for wild horses, such as hay. The corral may be set up in stages over a period of days to allow the horses to grow accustomed to it. When a certain number of horses enter the pen, the gate to the corral can be closed, confining the horses.

Is it better to bait or trap mice? ›

According to experts, both traps and bait are effective for killing rats and mice. Again, it's simply a matter of preference. When using traps, you'll need to dispose of the rodent once the trap does its work.

What is the difference between rat bait and trap? ›

The biggest difference between traps and bait stations is how long they take to eliminate rodents. Rodents that consume the poison found in bait stations can be expected to die within 1 to 2 weeks of consumption. Traps, however, instantly capture any rodents that they come into contact with.

Is it better to poison or trap rats? ›

There is no better way to dealing with rats outside than to use rat poison in a bait form. The important consideration is, where to place the bait and ensure it does not threaten non target animals, ie: the neighbour's cat.

Does bait mean in slang? ›

to intentionally make a person angry by saying or doing things to annoy them: Ignore him - he's just baiting you. I suspect he was just baiting me. See also.

What does it mean to use as bait? ›

noun. food, or some substitute, used as a lure in fishing, trapping, etc. a poisoned lure used in exterminating pests. an allurement; enticement: Employees were lured with the bait of annual bonuses.

Do mice know to avoid traps? ›

Because mice are very intelligent, they will be able to outsmart certain traps. They may even be hesitant to approach the bait you have laid out, so placing many different traps throughout your home will increase your odds of catching these pests.

What smell do mice hate? ›

The strong scent of peppermint is overwhelming to mice. Similarly, essential oils such as eucalyptus oil, bergamot oil, clove oil, and cinnamon oil are potent in keeping mice at bay. One study noted that eucalyptus oil applied once a day was more effective as a rat repellant than once a week.

Why is the mouse not eating the bait? ›

First, there's probably old bait dried or caked on it and just as you wouldn't eat off a dirty plate, they're not going to eat off a dirty trap. Secondly, they're keen sense of smell warns these rodents away from old mouse traps.

What do rats hate the most? ›

What smell do rats hate the most?
  • Mothballs.
  • Garlic.
  • Peppermint oil.
Jul 19, 2023

What is the best way to get rid of mice? ›

7 tips to get rid of mice
  1. Get a cat. If no one in your family has a cat allergy, getting a cat might just be the easiest way to get rid of mice. ...
  2. Use essential oils. ...
  3. Set humane traps. ...
  4. Try a hot pepper solution. ...
  5. Build your own humane trap. ...
  6. Pack spaces with steel wool. ...
  7. Block with duct tape. ...
  8. For a severe infestation.
Mar 29, 2017

Why do rats avoid traps? ›

Rats are neophobic, meaning they are afraid of anything new and unfamiliar in their environment and this includes traps. If it's been a few weeks and you're aren't having any luck with your trap, you might need to give it more time. Rats may avoid traps for some time until they feel familiar enough with them.

What is the most successful way to get rid of rats? ›

Electronic rat traps are considered the most modern and effective traps for rodents. These traps lure rodents with food and baits them onto a metal plate inside that immediately electrocutes them. It is the most humane approach in comparison to snap traps and poisonous traps – the rat's death is nearly instant.

What are the disadvantages of rat traps? ›

Below are some, though not all, problems that can come with rat traps when used incorrectly.
  • 1. Rat Traps Can Cause Unexpected Injury. Have you ever actually seen a traditional snap trap for rats? ...
  • 2. Rat Trapping Doesn't Keep Other Rats Out. ...
  • 3. Rat Trap Placement Takes Knowledge of Rats.

Will rats leave if one dies? ›

If you're short on time, here's a quick answer to your question: In most cases, rats will not immediately flee just because one rat has died.

How do bait traps work? ›

Bait stations do not function the same way that traps do and instead, allow rodents to enter the bait station, consume poisonous bait lure, and retreat to their nests where they pass away within a couple of days.

What does bait mean in security? ›

Answer: Baiting in cyber security is a type of social engineering attack where an attacker lures a victim into a trap to steal personal information, infect their system with malware, or gain unauthorized access.

What do you use for bait traps? ›

Bait Traps

The trap is baited with any mixture of food likely to attract fish. such as bread, old fish heads. cooked prawn shells, crushed mussels, and other ? sh scraps.

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