Some advice about small mammal trapping.

[Yashca]

I saw a tiny little mouse (I think?) yesterday, and realised that I know very little about identifying small mammals, or even what small mammals exist in my local area.

I had a read through my amatuer naturalist book, and it recommended several methods for trapping small animals, such as making a pitfall trap or using a longworth trap.

A longworth trap is well out of my price range unfortunately, and I don't fancy making a trap myself. On the Alana Ecology website it has a 'trip trap' which is made of plastic and is much much cheaper.

I understand that it will be nowhere near as durable, but I will plan to check it regularly to prevent this.

I am also aware that you need a license to trap shrews, so if I was to buy a 'trip trap' I may need to drill a hole and put a metal collar on it to allow them to escape.


Has anyone used a 'trip trap' or any other cheap trap? Any advice for a first time trapper?

[Dogghound]

Im not sure about your traps as ive always used longworth. I have done alot of trapping around Scarborough (if thats where you were planning on doing it?). If you 'Plan' on catching shrews you need a licence from English nature and as you say it is important to provide shrews with a way out of the trap they will die if trapped for long periods. It is important you check the traps every 12 hours. Around this area if the habitat is right you can expect to catch Common Shrew, Pygmy Shrew, Water Shrew, Harvest Mice, House Mice, Wood mice, Bank Vole and Field Vole.

[Melus]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Im not sure about your traps as ive always used longworth. I have done alot of trapping around Scarborough (if thats where you were planning on doing it?). If you 'Plan' on catching shrews you need a licence from English nature and as you say it is important to provide shrews with a way out of the trap they will die if trapped for long periods. It is important you check the traps every 12 hours. Around this area if the habitat is right you can expect to catch Common Shrew, Pygmy Shrew, Water Shrew, Harvest Mice, House Mice, Wood mice, Bank Vole and Field Vole.

One other thing don't forget to put food in the trap as Shrews need to eat on a regular basis so provide food, something like 'casters' (Chrysalis) for the shrews and peanuts for the mice.

I have used both 'longworth' and the plastic trip trap, both work well especially the longworth and the plastic type will eventyally become damaged by the little criters gnawing the plastic.

Good luck
regards
Gary

[fairplay]

What about bedding ? - especially in winter.

Neil.

EDIT. And WHY are Longworths so expensive ?

[caernerch]

get in touch with you local or county natural history society they're usually v. helpful and can put you in touch with an expert who will usually do some trapping for you and put you on the right tracks without any risk to any of your small mamals. a shrew needs its own weight in food every 24hrs! they have such a high metabolism.
regards
caernerch

[The Woodman]

And/or book yourself on one of the Mammal Society's courses

Training Workshops - Training Workshops

Good value.

[Dogghound]

Yes good point Neil. I always put hay in the trap as well as food even in the summer.

[RKB]

*Dry* hay is essential. You don't need a shrew hole if you put casters in (get them from a fishing shop and freeze them, then put about an egg cup's worth in, every time you check the trap. make sure they're defrosted in winter). I use wheat rather than peanuts. it's also important to put something moist in there, like fresh chopped carrot (particularly in summer when they can get dehydrated). Don't place the trap in full sun. Cover it over with long grass so they don't bake.

12 hours (overnight) is fine in winter, but in spring-autumn I like to check them more often so that I am not keeping lactating females away from their young.

You'll also need a clear plastic bag (about a foot deep) to empty the trap into. This is how you get the animal out of the trap without losing it (most of the time!).

Wood mice can bite ferociously, so beware. They can chew through aluminium longworths, so a trip trap might not last a full season.

Before trapping, set them up for a few days on 'pre-bait' (door locked open), so that the animals get used to going in for food. Otherwise, it can take a while to catch.

[paulthomas]

Why don't you join your county mammal group (I think every county has one) then you can go out with the experts and learn all about small mammal trapping.

[RKB]

Originally Posted by paulthomas

Why don't you join your county mammal group (I think every county has one) then you can go out with the experts and learn all about small mammal trapping.

Yes, definitely do that - handling takes some getting used to!