Trapping 101

Many people have problems with raccoons and other small animals and end up paying an exterminator to come get rid of them. But it actually is easy to take care of it yourself. All you really need are a few inexpensive items listed below.

Bait; this can be anything that the culprit is known to like. For example, raccoons like sweets, but I usually just use dog or cat food. Corn is great for rabbits and squirrels.

Traps: there are many different types of traps. Dogproof traps work best when there is danger of catching a pet. Snares and leghold traps are other popular options. Conibear traps will instantly kill any caught in them.

Golf balls: this is only necessary if you are using dogproof traps. If you put one on top it may prevent mice from stealing the bait.

1. The first thing to do is find a trail. If you know raccoons are there skip to the next step. If not, you'll need to look for sign of them. The most obvious signs are tracks. Dens and trails are also good spots. Those of you who live in dry areas may already know this, but water is essential, especially to racoons because many of their favorite foods are found in or around water.
2. Find a spot to secure your trap. This can be a tree, log or a place to put a stake. Stakes can be found at many outdoors stores or in the pet section of Walmart. Make sure the stake is anchored deeply, because raccoons are very strong.
3. Set your trap and push the short stake on the bottom of the trap into the ground.
4. Bat the trap by pouring bait into it. The trap is triggered by the raccoon pulling up on the lever at the bottom of the trap so make sure the bait falls to the bottom of the cylinder.
5. If the raccoons are not used to humans you might find it necessary to eliminate human odor by splashing water on everything around.
6. Make sure to check the trap at least every 2 days.

1. Box traps are exceedingly easy to set. Find a spot where the animal regularly travels.
2. Set the trap. Box traps are made to be set in many different ways but it usually requires lifting the pan and using a lever to hold up the lid.
3. Tip the trap upright and dump the bait (this time it's corn), into the bottom of the trap.
4. Put the trap where you want it and check it frequently.

This is the most versatile trap here because you can set it for any animal and if you catch the wrong one you can just let it go.

Snares and conibears are mostly used for beavers. In many states, conibears are illegal if not placed underwater. With a snare, pets, especially pets used to leashes, will not pull against it as much.

1. To set a snare or conibear, first find a place where beavers often travel. These are often characterized by stumps gnawed by beavers.
2. Stake the snare into the ground.
3. Use sticks or wire to support the snare in an open position about 1 1/2 inches above the trail.
4. Make sure to splash water over everything to eliminate all odor.

Trapping can be a very satisfying if you can do it safely. You will never have to worry about calling an exterminator and your neighbors might start asking you to come help them with animal control. :)