Interested to hear anyone’s experiences with the new GoodNature meat-lovers lure, both in the ALP / A24 and the prefeed pouch. I’m wondering if this would be a good addition to a doc 200 for rats and stoats. Thanks, Tony
I’ve just started using it a week ago. No luck as yet. I’ll reply back in another week or so.
I’ve been using the lure for years, formerly known as Stoat Lure, and had good results with it in my A24’s. It’s the best Goodnature lure to use, IMO, because it appeals to both carnivores and omnivores, while the chocolate and nut ones are far less likely to kill mustelids.
It’s been especially effective for me in/on snap-traps and in DOC tunnels. I’m confident that there would be a significant drop in my kills if I stopped using it. One downside is that it can be easy for mice and rats to lick it off of snap-traps or out of the lure cups. I’m going to try mixing it with a thicker lure, like PB, to see if that works better.
It’s an excellent lure to use during wet and humid weather, because it’s waterproof and mold-resistant (like the other kinds).Mold can be a curse during winter, because predators won’t eat moldy lures, which are toxic to them. Peanut butter can turn blue or go fuzzy in 24-48 hours, but Goodnature lures take a very long time to go moldy, and it’s usually because it’s been applied next to, or on top of, moldy bait.
In DOC tunnels, it’s a good lure to spread on to the far side of the treadle, because it resembles drying blood (and is designed to mimic its smell, of course), and the vast majority of predators stop on the treadle to investigate the lure and eat it, instead of travelling across the treadle to the lure area, often too fast to trigger the trap. I have killed numerous medium-sized rats, juvenile mustelids, and female weasels this way that I nromally wouldn’t have been able to.
It’s also a cheap lure, because 1 sachet can go a long way.
Cheers.
It also works as a coating on flesh/fat lures in Timms traps, because it prevents them from going moldy, reduces the rate at which they deteriorate, and it’s been a good way to keep blowflies away, too (the texture, perhaps?).
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Thanks for your detailed reply! I have had the “blood” lure before, but then it became unavailable. I didn’t realise the new lure was actually still the old lure! On the strength of your glowing report I have ordered the ALP and also the pouch of lure which, like you, I plan to use in doc traps to add a bit of spice. I usually just use the cat/mustelid cubes that I can buy locally from Greater Wellington RC and put an additional half cube on the treadle. The A24 is something I have never had any real luck with. I think they don’t work well when you have other traps nearby. I intend to get it set up again for stoats and then just find an untrapped part of the property and set it where stoats might pass through! (or put it on a friend’s place). cheers, Tony
They’ve gone from Stoat Lure, to Blood Lure, to Meat Lovers’.
The Meat Lovers’ Lure would act as a sort of glue for the pieces of cube that you use, which would make it a bit harder for smaller predators to steal it. A 70g rat might disturb a treadle set at 80g enough to set it off.
I’ve read several A24 studies that compared its performance to DOC tunnels, and researchers found it to be an effective, low maintenance way to reduce pest populations when they are used in areas that have received little or no pest control.
After racking up kills for a few months, A24’s were then found to be no more effective than conventional lines of single-kill traps. Basically, they’re an excellent first-wave trap, but are then average or below-average once predator numbers have dropped significantly. One problem with the A24, is that a lot of predators refuse to put their head in to the tube. These wary predators are more likely to be killed in a DOC tunnel, for example, because they feel more comfortable interacting with them.
As a rule, the more traps that you’re using in an area, the better your odds are of trapping predators. Interaction-rates will be higher, because the odds are better that predators will find a trap. Siting traps fairly close together, but in different kinds of habitat can also be effective.
Of equal importance to trap numbers, in my experience, is to use a range of traps. Predators can learn how to avoid triggering a certain trap model, which make it nearly impossible to kill them. A rat that’s learned how to eat the lure off of a Victor Pro without setting it off, may fall victim to a T-Rex, or a DOC trap, or an A24, or an AT-220, or a Timms, or get caught in a cage. So, combining standard traps and A24’s definitely could pay off.
If you have a trap at a site that gets high kill totals, you could try placing the A24 nearby. Clearly, the site receives plenty of traffic, and the A24 would help to reduce the number of mice and small rats that steal or eat the lures that are meant for larger predators. Scavengers that visit the A24 for a mouse might decide to check out the DOC trap a few metres away also, especially if there isn’t anything to scavenge.
I hope this helps. Let me know if the Meat Lovers’ lure is a hit or not. It isn’t exactly scientific, but if more and more trappers find success using a certain technique, we need to share the advice, especially with new trappers.
Cheers.
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I’ve had success with the “meat-lovers” lure in DOC traps and Victor snap traps for rats and ferrets. It seems to do better than the other Goodnature lures in these traps. Too early yet for the ALP version for me to draw a conclusion. As for A24s I’ve found the critical thing for rats is to install them as close to where the rats live and socialise, in my case where muhlenbeckia vines mass - rat heaven. Curiosity gets the better of them within a few days and they put their head up the hole! Critical then to leave the trap in place as once a good rat home always a good rat home and you will get the inevitable incomers. A24s are pretty hopeless in the traditional grid type trap layout, just too risky for them. I also doubt that A24s will ever be effective against stoats in a typical bush situation where there is a ready supply of food, stoats are generally just too clever and wily to be caught in an A24 in these situations. Different in an island situation where they have eaten everything - when they are desperate for food - then anything will work.
Thanks for the input! What is it about the muhlenbeckia vines? We have a couple of those on our property. Cheers, Tony
They are dry, rodents are safe from most predators because of the dense tangled environment and they just happen to support the highest percentage of invertebrates of any native plant, a full larder. Perfect place for rodents to live. Perfect place to target.
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Have just started using this a few weeks ago as an extra lure in my doc 200’s.
At this time of year (Feb/Mar) in the sub alpine zones (Taranaki) I alway find catch really drops. I’d love to think it’s cos I’ve done a brilliant job nabbing the stoats in Nov-Jan, but sadly I suspect there is now so much other food out there that stoats ignore my traps. So always after something new to ramp up stoat interest in traps.
So far not a lot of success, last week 1 rat in 34 traps. This week, only 2. And just 1 rat on other line of 24 traps (other usual lures like fresh, blood dripping hare etc used as well).
I noticed alot of the good nature lure has disappeared so have made simple (hopefully) mouseproof lure holders with pouches of fibreglass netting suspended in trapbox with a cable tie…here’s hoping better success this week.
At this time of year, there may be trees and/or shrubs fruiting in the general area. Until those food sources have been eaten, the lures in your traps won’t be as attractive to rats. With lots of rodent activity at the fruiting plants, mustelids will be attracted to those sites.
Mustelids love rabbit, but they’re fussy, so rabbit past its prime won’t be as appealing to them as hunting rodents. However, hungry juveniles are more likely to look for bits of flesh that might still be good to eat. When female stoats are lactating, they are known to hunt 30-40 mice a day, because they’re abundant prey that’s easy to kill. If mouse numbers had been low where you trap, your traps would probably have received more attention, especially from female mustelids raising kits.
I’m a big fan of Goodnature’s Meat Lovers’ lure. Mice, ship rats, brown rats, mustelids, and hedgehogs are all fans of it, and I’ve trapped 4 feral cats with it, too.
I’ve been using Meat Lovers’ for years in my DOC tunnels, snap-traps, and as a coating on the flesh/fat lures that I use on traps that have skewers. In my experience, insects have zero interest in it (including blowflies), so flesh and fat lures take way longer to rot without maggots eating them up. Until mice or rats lick it off, blowflies aren’t a problem.
Meat Lovers’ is long-lasting; a coating of it prevents lures from drying out quickly, which allows the scent of flesh/fat lures to last longer than normal; and it’s water-resistant, so it will give lures protection from rain and humid weather. The combination of rabbit, a blood lure, and mouse activity should be very appealing to predators.
I recommend applying samples of Meat Lovers’ to the outsides of your tunnels and on tree trunks, posts, or rocks on your traplines, around 10m away. A sachet goes a long way, so it would be a cheap experiment to run.
The only downside to using Meat Lovers’ that I’ve discovered, is that it is quite attractive to blackbirds. I’ve never killed a native bird using it.
Good luck protecting the lure from mice. I’ve bought some tea strainers to see how well they work.
To my surprise, I killed several weasels when I used Goodnature’s Cinnamon-flavoured possum lure in a tunnel containing T-Rex traps, in an attempt to lure rats when the traps were quiet. It probably couldn’t hurt to try a “curiosity lure” like that.
Mayonnaise has worked for me when rat numbers seem low, often trapping them that night. Mustelids also love mayo, so it might do the trick.
I hope you get some big spikes in your kills.
Cheers.
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Thanks. Appreciate all that good advice. Yes being a big mountain environment mouse numbers will be very big. And subalpine coprosma berries are prolific at present as well as fledgling birds and plenty of seed, so as you mentioned the food source is plentiful. Will keep playing with the good nature lures, I suspect if my mouse proof pouches work inside traps that will help also.
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I can’t wait to find out what happens. It’s the trapping equivalent of waiting for the next season of a TV show to air.
Good luck!
Thanks for the great information in this thread Guys - meat lovers is new to me and based on what I have read here, it sounds like a good option - I decided to put it on all my snap traps on three lines – about 70 traps.
We have not been getting many rats during the past three months (14,10 and 20). We had been using GN possum paste, PICS peanut butter and Kewpie Mayonnaise – all with sporadic results – likely due to low rat numbers.
During the last week or so I have changed three lines from the residues of the above lures to all now having fresh GN meat lovers – we used almost a tube of meat lovers.
I checked a line of fifteen traps last week for a trapper Mate who is struggling to get up a steepish ridge with a sore back. I was surprised to find that the trap mechanisms were stuck and some parts rusty after about six years of use. I think he had been finding empty bait cups and just applied some new lure without testing the mechanism. I got most of them operating to some degree and applied meat lovers. I decided to go back yesterday to replace some old traps with new ones – also a good opportunity to check out the meat lovers. The second trap that I checked was new on my last trip and had a nice fresh rat in place – that got me excited. But sadly, it was the only victim that I found. I was pleased to find that the meat lovers lure was still intact in the bait cups – the ants and roaches had not taken it as would normally happen with possum paste – it seems to be sticky and maybe not attractive to ants. So, I replaced seven old traps and brought them home for a soak in hot water and handyandy – I managed to get four going and biffed the other three.
While washing the old traps in hot water and handyandy – the meat lovers lure just did not want to come out of the cup – I had to brush the cups clean.
Today, my wife and I did the other trap line in two parts – about 20 traps each – she found only one rat. I checked the other 20 traps and didn’t see a single rat. No traps tripped and most still had all the meat lovers in the cups.
One small line of fifteen traps to check tomorrow.
So what can we say about meat lovers – inconclusive – but if the rats aren’t there – you cant catch them!
But this made my day! – I found a meat lover in one of two doc250 traps on the line – a pretty wee ferret – she had been checking out a rabbit head that I placed last week. I squeezed out as much pee around the box as possible – but kept her intact and now in the freezer just in case someone wants to get her stuffed.
I am enjoying getting back into serious trapping after three surgeries last year – an old man’s problem (76), a hip replacement and a hernia repair – all in the same area. Climbing around in the Quarry Park is great exercise as well as a trip or two up the Mount each week along with lots of flat ground walking. My wife ran the trap lines last year while I was out of action.
I look forward to hearing more reports about meat lovers lure. My other trapping Mate is going to change over from Kewpie to chocolate next week – he got two rats and a hog today on Kewpie mayonnaise.
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I got out today to check a short line of about 15 snap traps, 2 doc250s and three possum traps. Two ship rats, one hog and two possums. A productive morning walk and more evidence that meat lovers is good stuff.
I told you they like it!
I hope the trend continues.
Nice work on the ferret!
I trapped a large male weasel 2 years ago with a rabbit head.
I’m glad that you’re doing well after the surgeries.
Do you keep trapping records?
Cheers.
Following these chats with intererest … have to ask though about the “hogs” being caught on mayo. Are you live-trapping them? I’m assuming you’re referring to pigs? cheers, Tony
All but one of our group of seven trappers use a WhatsApp system to report on their activities – the other one is afraid of what social media might do to his systems – so just sends me texts. I consolidate the detail into a spreadsheet for monthly and annual reporting. Pretty basic but it works. I use my cell phone to take pictures of all my catches – hence why you always see my right hand glove on the ground – the others wont touch their phones unless it is something special like a possum.
I am a bit lazy with animal names Tony – we always refer to hedgehogs as hogs – they are a prime focus – 11 doc200s and 4 doc250s as we try to limit hogs that limit the chances of Quail to thrive in our environment. We love to see Quail as do the public that visit the Park.
I generally have fresh rabbit to use in our doc250s – but have been using fishy blocks in the doc200s.
We also have an exterior organisation trying to establish a safe haven for Skinks that were recovered from the Tauranga Northern Link roading project. I don’t get involved in their activities, but they have heaps of funding, large numbers of traps and a contractor that visits the area involved each week. Predators stand very little chance of survival in that area. The Skinks are confined to a netted area at present, but I guess if they breed successfully – they will be released to the wider environment.
Well the mouse proof pouches are mouseproof! In some boxes the meat and walnuts had been stolen but lure in pouches was all good.
Unfortunately still only 1 rat in 24 traps. So am not sure if it’s a good lure for that zone yet or not. (The stoat I also caught was in a trap with fresh blood dripping hare and a cracked egg, no good nature lure. I baited 10 traps like that without the extra lure cos I knew I had a stoat on that part of trapline and with the preservative scent of lure I was worried about scaring him away. Have added the lure to those now).
There is stacks of food up there in sub alpine and that may be why lure not working, or because I’ve caught 19 stoats in 2 months, they may have already eaten most the rats for now??? Rat numbers were very high until dec/jan.
Thanks for the detailed update , I’m really enjoying all the contributions to this thread. You remind me of myself - I create spreadsheets summarising the month’s catches in the areas I coordinate for Pest Free Upper Hutt and try to think of something inspirational to share with the other trappers. On my home property we have regularly had quail families for years. Their main enemy is domestic cats, against which it is very difficult to take action. To have any chance of attaining Predator Free 2050 goals, we will have to have action at a national and local government level to implement a cat policy, treat feral cats as a target and control deer, goats and pigs. So, I was thinking it was pigs you were catching, but understand about hedgehogs. We catch a lot of them here without targetting them specifically. I also use my cell phone for photos and then upload them when I’m back at my desktop. I use the App purely for recording the catches out in the bush, and then add more detail if needed, once I’m back home. Happy trapping, and keep up the good work … cheers, Tony
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