DOC-200 trap (and DOC-250, DOC-150)
DOC-200 double-set trap
Image: Erana Stevens-Tulip | DOC
Kill targets: stoats and rats
Best for: stoat control
Pros: long service life; proven effective; humane
Cons: large and heavy
The DOC-200:
- must be used inside a covered tunnel box
- requires some expertise to check the trigger sensitivity over time (100 g)
- comes in single-trap or double-trap combinations – doubles are recommended for stoat control
- may require box modification to exclude non-targets, such as small children, weka, and kea
- should be replaced by the larger DOC-250 if ferrets are present
- replaces the older and smaller DOC-150.
Watch how-to videos about the DOC-200 trap.
Lure
For stoats: meat (Connovation Erayze, rabbit, salted rabbit); eggs (less attractive but longer lasting)
For rats: peanut butter (Connovation Ferafeed, peanut butter mixed with rolled oats); other nut-based or chocolate lures
A24 trap
A24 self-resetting trap by Goodnature
Image: Goodnature ©
Kill targets: stoats and rats
Best for: controlling rats when trapping is the preferred control option
Pros: labour saving; good instructions and support; humane
Cons: higher ongoing costs (lure and canisters); long-life stoat lure is still in development
The A24:
- is a self-resetting trap made by Goodnature
- can trigger 24 times before needing a CO2 canister change.
Watch a how-to video about the A24 trap
Lure
For rats: Goodnature Rat Lure
For stoats: Goodnature Stoat Lure; Connovation Erayze
Victor modified trap
Modified Victor trap with tunnel
Image: Pest Control Research ©
Kill targets: stoats and rats
Best for: controlling low-density rat populations over small areas
Pros: cheap; small and light; humane
Cons: labour intensive; lower durability unless treated with preservative
The Victor modified trap:
- is a Victor rat trap with a plastic fitting which makes it humane and suitable for targetting stoats
- will catch fewer rats than an unmodified Victor trap
- is usually second choice to a DOC-200, but may suit small sites and budgets
- is used inside a tunnel or plastic pipe to shelter the trap and limit the risk of by-kill.
Watch a how-to video about the modified Victor trap
Lure
- For stoats: 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' by Traps.co.nz; Connovation Erayz
- For rats: 'Mustelid & Cat & Rat Lure' or 'Rat & Possum Lure' by Traps.co.nz; chocolate; peanut butter
Trapinator (and Sentinal, Warrior)
Trapinator
Image: CMI Springs ©
Kill target: possums
Best for: controlling low-density possum populations
Pros: relatively easy and safe to use; humane
- is similar to Sentinal and Warrior possum traps, but easier to set
- is an all-in-one spring-set kill mechanism in a plastic box
- is mounted by screws onto trees, 1 m above the ground.
Watch a how-to video about the Trapinator
Lure
Peanut butter; Connovation Smooth in a Tube; Possum Dough by Traps.co.nz.
A12 trap
A12 self-resetting trap by Goodnature
Image: Erana Stevens-Tulip | DOC
Kill target: possums
Best for: humane control of low–moderate density possum populations
Pros: safe and easy to use; labour saving; good instructions and support; humane
Cons: higher ongoing costs (lure and canisters)
The A12:
- is a self-resetting trap made by Goodnature
- can trigger 12 times before needing a CO2 canister change.
Lure
Goodnature Possum Lure.
AT220 (new trap)
Kill targets: possums
Best for: controlling possums when trapping is the preferred control option
Pros: labour saving; good instructions and support; humane
Cons: higher initial costs to purchase.
The AT220:
- has passed the NAWAC welfare guidelines for humane trapping
- is a self-resetting kill trap made by NZ Auto Traps
- up to 100cycles without the need to tend to and reset
- 6 months between service – only requires checking every 6 months.
Lure
For possums: NZ Auto Traps Possum Lure – flour, sugar, fats, aniseed, and cinnamon mixed with peanut oil.
Cholecalciferol toxin (vitamin D3)
Kill target: rats and possums
Best for: controlling rats or possums at medium to low densities
Pros: can be used without a licence; low secondary poisoning risk
Cons: pests can become bait shy if the bait is used incorrectly; requires a pre-feed
Cholecalciferol:
- is a naturally-occurring substance found in liver, fish oil, egg yolk and milk fat
- is often used as a health supplement, but is toxic in high doses
- must be used in bait stations for most PF2050 projects
- requires one prefeed of non-toxic bait.
Examples of cholecalciferol for rat control:
- Feracol
- LDC Feracol Paste Bait
- D3 Rat One Feed Bait
Examples of cholecalciferol for possum control:
- Feracol paste
- Feracol Strikers
- LDC Feracol Paste Bait
- Pestoff Decal Possum Bait
First-generation anticoagulant toxins
Kill target: rats
Best for: controlling rats where possum population densities are not high
Pros: doesn't require a pre-feed
Cons: ineffective in possum-infested areas (possums out-compete rats for the bait); potential for low kill rates if inadequate amounts are used; incorrect usage can lead to resistance in rats
First-generation anticoagulants:
- are weak, blood-thinning toxins that interrupt the body’s ability to clot
- require multiple bait applications over 1 wk period
- remain in the body for a shorter time than other toxins, limiting the threat of by-kill of non-target species
- must be used in bait stations for most PF2050 projects
- do not require a pre-feed of non-toxic bait
- are safer than second-generation anticoagulants, which are suited to special cases only.
Examples of first-generation anticoagulants for rat control
- Coumatetralyl (Racumin Paste)
- Diphacinone (Ditrac All-Weather Rodent Block, RatAbate Paste, Pestoff Rat Bait 50D, D-Block for the Control of Rats (RatAbate Blocks), D-Block Extreme)
- Pindone (Pindone Pellets for possums and rats)