Rodent Trapping, Thanks!

[fergusma at topaz.ucq.edu.au]

In article <2pbvbg$hdr at news.iastate.edu>, jessie at iastate.edu writes:
> In article <1994Apr23.123905.1 at topaz> fergusma at topaz.ucq.edu.au writes:
>>
>>Greetings field workers.
>>
>>I am seeking information from anyone who has had experience with trapping small
>>rodents, prefferably murids.
>>
>>I have attempted several nights of trapping using 30x10x10 Elliot traps, with
>>a rolled oats, peanut butter, honey and vanilla essence mix as bait, with traps
>>on an index line 7m apart.
>>
>>So far I have had no success.  I know that rats are scarce in this area
>>(Central Queensland) and I am interested to hear from anyone with similar
>>experiences.
>>
>>Meryl F.
>>FERGUSMA at topaz.ucq.edu.au
>>Bachelor Applied Biology (Honours)
>>University Central Queensland
> 
> 
> Some species are a lot more trap shy than others.  You don't say what you're 
> trapping, but it may be such a species.  I also don't know what an elliot trap 
> is, but can the animal see through it (open doors at both ends).  Some species
> are more likely to enter such a trap.
> 
> Bait wise, try a sliver of apple.  I never use peanut butter as it is expensive,
> gums up the trap, and is generally a real pain to use.  Crimped or whole oats 
> works well in many cases.
> 
> I suspect, however, that you set the traps immediately.  Try baiting them and 
> locking them open for a period of 1-2 weeks.  Let the animals acclimate to the 
> traps presence.
> 
> Finally, there are good and bad ways to position a trap.  Again, it is often
> species specific, but all the murids that I'm familiar with are essestially 
> thigmotactic  (that is they like to be next to structure).  Thus, put the trap 
> against a log, rock, grass clump, whatever.  Try to position the door away from 
> any open area and if it can be overhung with grass, shrub limbs, etc. so much
> the better.
> Brent Danielson
> jessie at iastate.edu

Thanks Brent, I'll try these suggestions, although the bait I'm using is
standard mix, I'm not sure how attractive apple is to them, as they have a
large native fruit supply on hand.

Meryl F.