missouritrappersonline

What do you all think about colony traps. The reason I ask is I have a bunch of wire that I could make some with. Thought I'd see if it would be worth it or not.

If I do make some, does the door need a spring on it to help keep it closed, or should I just let it be.

Spring loaded doors will offer too much resistance. Use a gravity door angled at like a 45

The wire I have is vinyl coated, so I was concerned with it floating. Maybe if it does I could mold some lead weights for the doors or somithing. If I used a spring I was thinking about one off of an old rat trap. Nothing to strong.

I've never set any of these, I guess you would set it in their run, or do you have to bait it and all of that, like a live coon trap.

The colony trap's work great no bait needed just set in their run. I don't know about the coated wire they don't need any spring's a great way to stake them in place is a piece of #9 wire wrapped over the top and shoved in the mud. You'll just have to experiment with the coated stuff.

I Got a couple of them made up and I think they will be fine with out anything on the doors.

One more question that I have. Should I reinforce the doors with some 1/4" or something, or will they be strong enough without anything.

I made these traps 24" long and 7" x 7" square, with the door 10" long and 6 - 1/2" wide. I'll try to get some pics on here in the next day or so.

2 thing's first the door's will be plenty sturdy as they are.

2nd I beleive that the 7x7 are illegal in Missouri per Clay Creech.

According to the Wildlife Code book, 6x6 is the largest colony trap you can use.

Didn't know that KCTRAPPER. This is my first year trapping rats. Guess I will make the rest of them 6"x6".