Got a big surprise when I went to let my sons dog out this morning. I looked in and thought "why is that dog laying on it's back". Then I looked closer and saw the dog looking out from the back of it's box. Apparently this critter tried to sneak into the cage and eat some dog food while the dog was in it's sleeping or stealth mode. WRONG. For the past several weeks we have been trying to catch an illusive raccoon that has been getting into the cat food. Mt son has set a "have a heart" trap but has been unsuccessful. The trap door is closed but no bait left. Then one night we got a glimps of it and no wonder. It is huge and apparently it is setting off the trap and the door is falling on it's back and it is just backing out of the cage. If it wasn't for the cats we could set a regular steel trap. Eventually he will be apprehended as this theif was.
(https://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/redoverfarm/scenes/country%20plans/100_3407-1.jpg)
Hay ya gonna eat it rofl
We are having the same problem with a coon.I will get it sooner or later.
At least you are keeping him comfortable. :)
barrel trap will work on those big ones.
The barrel trap is simple homemade trap. All it takes is a trash can or smooth barrel, a board about 18-inches long, and some water. Place the trash can upright by a picnic table, or somewhere that a raccoon could conceivably get inside without knocking it over. Fill the barrel about a third of the way with water; that will weigh down the container and the raccoon, but shouldn't drown the animal. Lay the board so that it goes from the table and creates a platform in the middle of the barrel, and bait the trap on the end of the board over the barrel. When the raccoon goes for the bait, the board overbalances and the raccoon will fall into the water. Since the barrel has smooth walls he can't climb out and since he's all wet he wont be able to jump out either. The water is heavy and gives the barrel a good base where he cant tip it over either.
That is a good one, muldoon. Thanks.
Good thought Muldoon but who is going to get it out of the barrel. I had one run in with a coon when I was little and ended up with 7 stitches in my finger and 3 in the back of the leg. It was suppose to be tame. RIGHT. Maybe once he is in the barrel a .22 can assist Huh.
We used to have a problem with 'possums eating the dog and cat food that we had on our porch in Arkansas. I had issues with racoons as well. A long time ago I used to run a trapline and frequently used fish and dog food as bait...never did catch anyones cat (luckily). That was back when a decent racoon pelt would bring $25 to $35 dollars. 'Possum pelts were only good for $2, even though I think they are a nicer fur. Still paid for gas money though.
Trash can trap sounds like a good idea.
I found a new spin on catching mice which is close to what Muldoon did. Sounds like it will work pretty effective for those who are either not at their cabin frequently or do not want to use poisons.
Take a bucket(5 gal.) will do and put about 3 " of water with a teaspoon of vegetable oil in it. Get an empty soda or beer can & put several slits all around the can with your knife. This will hold your bait( peanut butter, cheese, meat etc.)Make sure no other food is available for them. Run a thin wire through the length of the can & fasten it across the centre of the opening of the bucket. Put in a place where the critters can get at it easy. When they jump on the can to get the food the can spins around & the mouse falls in the water and drowns.With this method you can catch several at a time. You don't have to worry about poison and don't have to be there to reset the trap
Quote from: Redoverfarm on December 06, 2009, 11:38:39 AM
Take a bucket(5 gal.) will do and put about 3 " of water with a teaspoon of vegetable oil in it. Get an empty soda or beer can & put several slits all around the can with your knife. This will hold your bait( peanut butter, cheese, meat etc.)Make sure no other food is available for them. Run a thin wire through the length of the can & fasten it across the centre of the opening of the bucket. Put in a place where the critters can get at it easy. When they jump on the can to get the food the can spins around & the mouse falls in the water and drowns.With this method you can catch several at a time. You don't have to worry about poison and don't have to be there to reset the trap
You will need to air out the place if you set the trap inside. Best to find a location outside.
gandalfthegrey yes probably would if you left them for an extended period of time. But if you put out bait or use a trap inside you would have the same problem. Here is a product that others have had great success with. The only draw back is the cost. I had mentioned it someplace before ???
http://www.teksupply.com/farm/supplies/prod1m;BW0919;ts1_pest_rodent_control-ts1_rodent_gopher_control_1;pg106871_106871.html
could you draw a picture of the bate can setup? This sounds like a good trap to me. ???
Bob S. I haven't tried this one but from the discription it sounds as if the slits are lengthwise in the can to emit the food odor. I would imagine that just a hole punched in the bottom and in the top close to center would work lace the wire through the hole on the bottom and top and then just wrap the wire onto the handle mounts of the bucket to keep it taunt. Then I guess you just put the food material into the can before stretching it across the bucket. I would imagine that the slits are just single razor knife wide that would allow the scent to escape but not allow the food or bait to fall out. I know that the mice will climb the outside of the bucket as I have found dead mice in a water bucket before. Maybe the vegetable oil help to prevent them from traction to exit the bucket.
If anyone would want to try this let us know how it works.