LIVE ANIMALTRAPPING FAQs
Q: What bait should I use for my target animal?
A: Squirrels: Cereal, grains, nuts (especially peanuts) sunflower seeds, anise oil (a drop or two on bread), shelled corn, or apples
Armadillos: Meal worms, other worms, or insects enclosed in a little cloth bag, maggots, or sardines
Chipmunks: Prune pits, un-roasted peanuts, corn, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, cereal, grains, or popcorn
Groundhogs: Fresh string beans, sweet corn, lettuce, peas, cantaloupe, strawberries, cucumbers, peaches, or vanilla extract
Opossums: Vegetables, sweet apples, chicken entrails, sardines, crisp bacon, or canned cat food
Skunks: Chicken entrails, cracknels, fish-canned or fresh-insect larvae such as may beetles, crisp bacon, or cat food
Porcupines: Apples, salt, or carrots
Rabbits: Fresh vegetables (brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, lettuce), or apples. In the wintertime, bread is a good bait. Spraying the inside of the trap with apple cider is also effective.
Stray Cats: Fish, meats, oil of catnip, sardines, canned tuna, or chicken
Raccoons: Fish, fresh or canned, honey or sugar covered vegetables, smoked fish, watermelon, sweet corn, cooked fatty meat, crisp bacon, or marshmallow.
Q: Okay, I've safely caught the animal, now what should I do?
A: We recommend contacting the Humane Society, or the local or state game commission to determine the lawful method of releasing a captured wild or nuisance animal before setting the trap. Many species are protected by law in various states.
Q: What are the advantages of using a 2 door trap versus a 1 door trap?
A: Most people use two-door traps with more cautious animals like squirrels. The thought is that if the animal can see an unblocked path through the trap (since both doors are open), they will have more confidence entering the cage. On the other hand, one door traps allow the animal to walk further in and past the trip plate. Havahart traps offer both one-door and two-door Easy Set Traps to satisfy all customers.
Q: Where should I place the bait?
A: Place some bait on top of the trip plate and some more under the trip plate. You can also place the bait just above the trip plate on the ceiling of the trap. You can even secure or fasten the bait to the mesh by using string or a garbage bag twist tie. This forces the animal to stand on the trigger plate in order to reach the bait. It’s important that the bait isn’t placed in an area where the animal can reach it through the mesh without entering the trap.
Q: What should I do if I catch a skunk?
A: First, find an old cloth, towel or sheet that can be used to cover the trap. Next, approach the trap cautiously, holding the trap covering in front of you. Make sure the covering extends to the ground while holding it - don't let the skunk see your feet coming as this may alarm the animal. When you're close enough to the trap, gently cover the trapped animal--trap and all.