I have been having issues with the bait in the DOC200 traps being taken and nothing being caught. As I thought it is mice going across the trigger plate and not setting the trap off, I have put small mouse traps at the end of some of my DOC200 traps to catch those mice. This is proving very successful (from 7 mouse traps approx 25 caught month to date).
The problem I am having in some of the traps is when the trap goes off to catch the mouse the trap is jumping up onto the plate of the DOC 200 and setting that trap off. On two occasions the mouse trap has been damaged.
I’m looking for solutions to hold the mouse trap down. As I need to take thensmall traps out to rebait them it has to be something that isn’t too permanent. If I used blue tac would any smell distract the mice from going into the trap, anyone know? Or do you any other suggestions on what I can use to hold the trap down (I do have possum dough for the possum traps, would that work?)
A project I work with has screwed the mousetraps in place at the end of the tunnel. The mousetraps have the bait cup visible from above, so can be topped up with lures while unset, but the traps can be unscrewed if necessary. Depending whether you usually rebait with the DOC set or unset, a long pair of tongs is handy for removing mice while keeping hands clear of the DOC trap. I’d also recommend using easy-to-clean lures.
If your mousetraps are a design that can’t be baited in place, I have seen rat traps with a chain-and-clip arrangement to stop them being dragged off by scavengers. You can get reusable cable ties now, maybe you could drill a hole through a trap corner and loop the cable tie through the end mesh to stop the mousetrap jumping as far as the DOC treadle?
We simply used baling twine - A long length so the trap can be pulled out but then tied tighter when reinstalled. - Or a clip on the DOC mesh and a loop in the twine would work …
We have screwed the mousetraps to the side of the trap, 4cm off the floor so there is no access for skinks. Re-baiting is a pain so we are experimenting with hanging the trap from the top side with a wire loop bent in a U shape over the top and down the side. So when rebaiting simply lift the loop out. If the top fouls on the wire you can saw a shallow slot in the wood for the wire to sit into.
Hi, I check a line for Predator Free Paekakariki and we cut up a piece of ply into small bits and have screwed the mouse trap to that.
The extra weight of the ply seems to reduce the trap ‘jumping’ when it gets a mouse. Occasionally it will still jump over onto the DOC150.
Still able to remove and rebait the mouse trap without having to reset the 150 (being careful of course!) and can then set the mouse trap outside the box and lower it back into place.
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