Choose traps and toxins

AT220

AT220
Image: DOC

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.

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.

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)