How to choose the right trap

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Rats 

We recommend the following three types of traps for backyard and bush trapping. If you’re in the bush, you’ll need more traps and different placements – see how to trap rats in the bush and also download our print-friendly guide (PDF, 255KB) on how to trap rats at home and in the bush.

1. The Victor Professional rat trap in a tunnel

This is an affordable and effective trap that is great for any backyard. The trap sits in a long wooden box, so it’s safe for children and pets.  You can purchase a Victor Professional rat trap and tunnel from our shop. Learn how to use a Victor Professional rat trap (includes video).

A tunnel for a rat trap. Image credit: PFNZ

2. Goodnature Traps

If you don’t want to handle dead rats or reset a trap too often, this is a great option.  These traps are available from our shop, and you can learn how to use the Goodnature Trap here.

3. The T-Rex rat trap

The T-Rex rat trap is an affordable and easy to use trap that is great for any backyard. The trap sits in a long wooden box, so it’s safe for children and pets. These are also available from our online shop and you can learn how to use the T-Rex here.

Possums 

Flipping Timmy.
Flipping Timmy. Image credit: Envirotools Ltd

We recommend using either of these traps:

1. Flipping Timmy

The new Flipping Timmy possum trap is based on the Timms trap. It is mounted vertically (removing the need to bend over) which ensures a clean catch area. See our tips on setting up the Flipping Timmy.

The Flipping Timmy is available from our shop.

Use this sweet flour paste recipe as a lure to attract possums to your bait stations or traps.

2. Trapinator

This is a simple and effective way of trapping low-density possum populations and can be purchased from our online shop. See our tips on setting up your Trapinator.

Try this sweet flour paste recipe as a lure to attract possums to your bait stations or traps.

Stoats

We recommend using one or more of these traps:

  1. DOC 150 or DOC 200 (you can buy one from our and see our tips on how to set up the DOC 150/200)
  2. Goodnature Traps

Download our print-friendly (A4) quick trapping guide for stoats (PDF, 136KB).

Ferrets

We recommend the DOC 250 trap — you can buy one from our key suppliers and stockists throughout NZ and see our tips on how to use the DOC 250.

Download our print-friendly (A4) quick trapping guide for ferrets (PDF, 131KB).

Image credit: Supplejack Contracting

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