How to choose the right trap

  1. Home
  2. /
  3. Toolkits
  4. /
  5. Trapping and baiting toolkit
  6. /
  7. Trap, bait and equipment tips
  8. /
  9. How to choose the right trap

ON THIS PAGE

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).

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.

A tunnel for a rat trap.
A tunnel for a rat trap. Image credit: Predator Free NZ Trust.

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 online shop 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).

Image credit: Supplejack Contracting

Ferrets

We recommend the DOC 250 trap — you can buy one from our online shop and see our tips on how to use the DOC 250.

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

RELATED