I mount down all of my snap traps, now. The reduction in dirty kills and injuries has been huge, and my traps take way longer to break, because they aren’t getting knocked around.
I don’t use Victors, but I use a metallic trap that has the same design, called a made2catch. It’s way easier and safer to arm when it’s mounted - no blue thumbs!
Good luck!
No need to screw them down, but they work best in a wooden tunnel IMO.
Nice totals!
My problem with A24’s has been mice eating the lures without being trapped, because they can sneak in without hitting the trigger. I’ve never found a moldy lure, for this reason.
I’ve read several studies about A24’s, and they both concluded that they’re an excellent way to quickly knock down large populations of rats in areas that haven’t had any pest control, but once predator populations reach low levels, they are less effective than traditional control using snap traps and/or DOC tunnels.
One reason for this, is that some predators refuse to put their head inside an A24. They’re far more likely to enter a snap trap or DOC tunnel, due to the larger size of the entrances and their ability to see more.
I’d be inclined to leave the A24 in the photo where it is for a bit longer. Clearly, it’s in a spot that has received a good amount of traffic. Once your shoulder is 100%, I’d put a snap trap and/or DOC tunnel nearby to find out if you’ve found an above-average site. Putting any dead rat killed in the A24 into the DOC tunnel nearby, should be an excellent way to trap the individuals, including mustelids, that won’t interact with the A24. Small rodents are also excellent lures, especially for female weasels and juvenile mustelids.
Cheers.
Six months ago, I decided to clean up a trap line that I had developed and looked after for about ten years – the Kness snap-e traps were under open core flute covers – often on sites just off the main tracks. Who would ever find them when I am gone? So, I decided we should purchase new tunnels that are safer for children and reposition all trap sites adjacent to the main tracks. Plastic tunnels seemed like a practical solution, and I had used them at Puketoki Reserve some years ago, So our support partner purchased 20 Connovation run through tunnels and a heap of snap traps that are a copy of the Kness Snap-e traps. On arrival, I was disappointed to find that the trap boxes had a central position for the trap to clip into that only allowing a side entry to the trap kill bar.
Since these boxes were installed, we have only had a couple of kills – a small rat and a mouse – but I few days back I have seen three traps tripped - but no victims and the traps dislodged from the plastic clip and pulled out sideways – probably a shoulder hit that allowed the rat to pull out backwards and leave the scene – a good learning experience! We are currently trying Connovation solid state aniseed lure sitting on the remains of meat lovers.
I was concerned about side entrance to the traps but couldn’t find a supplier of the old Protecta plastic box that positions the trap back from the run through area and ensures the rat has to turn and enter the trap head on – they are very effective. So our support partner purchased 30 Connovation standard wood tunnels with a single entry hole in the mesh. Heavy to move and install in the bush but likely to be effective and last a long time.
Has anyone had success and consistent kills with side entry snap traps or have we installed a problem? We have very few rats around - 150 trap sites are producing around 2 to 3 rats each week.
