Best Bait For Opossum Trap
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Best Bait For Opossum Trap: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Did you know that the right bait can increase your chances of trapping an opossum by over 50%? If you’re dealing with a pesky opossum in your yard, selecting the best bait is crucial for a successful capture.
**** Opossums can be a nuisance, especially when they rummage through trash or cause damage in your garden. Trapping them is a humane way to manage these critters, but many people struggle with choosing the right bait to lure them in.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the best bait options for opossum traps, ensuring you can handle these creatures effectively and humanely.
By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what baits work best for opossum traps, how to set your traps effectively, and what to do once you’ve caught the opossum. We’ll also cover some expert tips and answer common questions to ensure your trapping success.
Step #1: Understand Opossum Behavior
Why Understanding Behavior is Key: Opossums are nocturnal and opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat almost anything but are particularly attracted to strong-smelling foods. Understanding their behavior can help you select the most effective bait.
Metaphor: Think of opossums as the raccoons of the marsupial world—curious and always on the hunt for a meal.
Case Study: A homeowner in rural Texas found success by placing traps near known opossum paths in their garden. By using smelly baits, they effectively reduced the opossum population on their property.
Step #2: Choose the Best Bait For Opossum Traps
Opossums are less wary than other wildlife, making a variety of baits effective. Here are the top options:
- Pet Food: Wet cat or dog food works wonders. Its strong smell is irresistible to opossums.
- Meat: Use old or smelly meats like chicken entrails or smoked bacon to draw them in.
- Fish: Oily fish like sardines or mackerel have a pungent odor opossums can’t resist.
- Eggs: Crack open a couple of raw eggs. Their odor is attractive without being overpowering to non-target animals.
- Fruit: Overripe fruits such as bananas or melons are sweet treats opossums love.
- Sweet Stuff: Peanut butter or jam smeared on bread can lure opossums with their sweet aroma.
- Aniseed Oil: Soak bread in aniseed oil for a unique scent many trappers swear by.
Real-World Example: A suburban homeowner successfully trapped opossums by alternating between fish and fruit baits, ensuring they kept the opossums’ interest piqued.
Step #3: Setting the Trap Correctly
Pre-Baiting: Before setting the trap, leave some bait around the area for a few days to gain the opossum’s trust.
Bait Placement: Place the bait at the back of the trap to ensure the opossum fully enters and triggers the trap mechanism.
Cover the Trap: Use foliage or a tarp to disguise the trap, making it look more natural.
Trail of Bait: Create a trail leading into the trap to guide the opossum inside.
Switch it Up: If one bait doesn’t work after a few days, try another to see what attracts the opossum.
Step #4: After the Opossum is Trapped
Legal and Humane Relocation: Check local laws about relocating opossums. It’s often illegal to release them far from the capture site due to potential disease spread.
Contact Professionals: If unsure, consider hiring a wildlife removal expert to handle the opossum safely and legally.
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Tips and Reminders
- Check Traps Daily: Avoid leaving a trapped opossum for extended periods.
- Consider the Weather: Avoid setting traps in extreme weather conditions for the opossum’s safety.
- Safety First: Never handle a trapped opossum directly; they can be aggressive when frightened.
Conclusion
By understanding opossum behavior and utilizing the right bait, you can effectively manage these critters in your space. Use the tips and strategies shared in this guide to trap opossums humanely and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do you attract a possum to a trap? A: Besides using bait, cover the trap with soil or leaves and place it along their travel path. Check the trap daily as opossums are nocturnal.
Q2: What should I avoid using when baiting an opossum trap? A: Avoid toxic baits. They are illegal and can harm untargeted wildlife.
Q3: How often should I check my opossum traps? A: Check them daily to ensure the opossum isn’t left in distress.
Q4: Can I use the same baits for other wildlife? A: Yes, but be aware it might attract non-target animals like raccoons.
Q5: Is it legal to relocate trapped opossums? A: It depends on local laws. Always check regulations before relocating wildlife.
Conclusion: Manage your opossum problem effectively by choosing the right bait and following the tips in this guide. Happy trapping!