Hi. Has anyone had issues with tops being dislodged from AT220 traps? Recently we checked 10 traps and 5 had the tops off on the ground. The tops had been secured properly with the rubber tabs and the traps were well hidden in a remote location. There was damage to the internal parts so we want to avoid a repeat.
Any ideas what would cause this and how to prevent it happening again?
Hi. I’ve been using AT220s for 8 years. The only issue I had with a top was my own fault.
I didn’t secure a tab and a rat forced its way in and chewed through the lure tube.
My gut call would be a two legged pest causing the issue not an animal pest.
@otawa I haven’t seen this issue myself, but if your traps are in a remote location is there any possibility that parrots could be the culprit? The AutoTraps website mentions that they’re working on a kea exclusion model, and this article says both kaka and kea will interact with AT220s. Parrot beak vs rubber tab might leave identifiable bite marks, depending how solid the rubber is and how much force is needed to move the tabs.
If it happens again and there aren’t any other clues, a trail cam might help solve the mystery.
Hi. Thanks but we don’t have any Kea and Kaka are uncommon. I guess the only way we’ll solve the mystery is with cameras. I hope it isn’t humans!
Probably a possum - Over the last 5 years I have been using multiple wildlife cameras to monitor invasive mammal activity in Waikato forests to support my research and predator free trapping.
Possums are very curious and spend time investigating any novel.item in “their” forest patch - often attempting to dislodge cameras. They also climb across the top of the AT220’s and other traps trying to move / detach components - possibly trying to access the lure reservoir - maybe attracted by residual lure from trapper handling.
The only preventive measure I can suggest is to ensure everything is firmly attached maybe with additional taping but no loose ends.
Possums create havoc with cameras - to maintain the intended focus field the cameras must be very tightly attached and the loose end of the strap not left exposed.
Good luck - the only real solution is possum elimination!
Hi. We were having the same problem, and we set up game cameras to find out what was happening. We found feral pigs were able to dislodge a corner of the top so that the next time the trap was triggered the lid would fly off. We have not seen the pigs be able to take the lid off entirely, yet. We are currently experimenting with straps and ways to keep the lids on. We have not seen any pigs in the area for a while so unsure if our straps work.
Spoke to a trapper who has wide experience with AT220s.
He says Fallow deer can “play” with the traps and dislodge the tops.
His fix, where it occurred, was additional straps.
Thanks for the feedback. We have pigs and deer in our area so I guess we need to take extra measures to keep the top on. Cheers