Hi, I know is is really a trapping forum which is why I have not posted this before but it might be of interest to groups using Philproof Bait Stations.
Each of the BOP groups who sat down and watched a pile of videos of Rats running up ropes fitted ropes 5 years ago, about 4,000 bait stations.
Philproof have now added two small holes to the floors for attaching ropes
rat and rope trial revised.pdf (525.6 KB)
1 Like
I volunteer for a restoration society that manages over 2000 philproof bait-stations. It was established very quickly (14 years ago) that the stations are best mounted side on to the tree or upright supporting structure.
This then places the entry of the bait-stations against the trunk of the tree and facilitates a more firm mounting ability.
Back mounting creates a difficult obstacle for any pest other than a determined or desperate rodent.
Hi
over 6 months and about 50,000 video clips while developing the excluder baffles I found it does not really matter if the Bait station is mounted front on or side on, even side mounted the rat still has a reasonable size reach to get to the bait station and more to get a grip to allow it to get inside, which is where the rope comes in. The Mini stations are worse as the rat has bugger all to grab hold of, which I worked with Philproof to correct and newer mini floors are now similiar to the large bait stations
front mounting in some cases is easier for Possums to feed
I mount bait stations either way dependent on how they best fit on the tree
The main advantage I find with side mounting is that I can fill the bait stations without having to remove the floor
cheers
Thanks Dave. Valid points.
Hi I mentioned in my 2018 report that there was no real way of knowing if using the rope would make a difference to monitoring results but for 50 cents if we got a few more rats into the station it was worth it.
The Philproof station was originally designed for possum control but because there is nothing else on the market it is used for ship rats as well. I had hoped that all the research with baffles etc and what we learnt would result in a better multi purpose/species bait station but there was no real interest from anyone in taking it any further
You have probably already come across it but one other point worth mentioning on side mounted bait stations is that it pays to have a good length of nail poking out from the tree about 30 mm min for the bottom locating nail. What can happen with side mounting is that if the bait station is not properly secured at the bottom when a possum stands up to feed it rotates the station and the bait falls on the ground, and turns into a soggy mess, plus it is then available to non target species
1 Like
Nails were found out to be a weak spot especially the bottom mount. A very successful solution was found using stainless steel screws with a spacer on the top mount as a swivel point and a barrier against tree growth causing jamming.
The bottom screw was drilled at a precise point into the tree or upright support structure and bent to an L shape to swivel forward and across the top of the tray entry as a secure latching action.
When pindone is used this was measured into plastic freezer bags knotted at the top which was jammed behind the tray. The bait remained damp proof but the smell of the bait was not hindered for rodent detection
Ditrac blocks are wired wired in.
1 Like