Akaroa Trap Library
Contact Details & Location:
Karin Bos manages the Akaroa Trap Library.
Hours: Every 2nd Saturday of the month, 10am – 12 noon
Address: Corner Pawsons Valley & Akaroa Roads, Duvauchelle
Email: akaroatraplibrary@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Akaroa-Trap-Library-103321361362699/
About the Trap Library:
The Akaroa trap library is a community run library loaning traps to residents of the Akaroa Basin and outer bays, for the control of rats, possums, ferrets stoats and weasels.
The trap library operates from a building located next to the Akaroa Mens Shed, situated on the Corner Pawsons Valley & Akaroa Roads, Duvauchelle. Traps can be borrowed for 3 months, with an option of borrowing them longer if you are catching lots of pests, and are checking and rebaiting the traps regularly.
There is no cost to borrowing traps, but donations are happily accepted as the organisation is run by volunteers and exists on the smell of an oily rat trap! Bait is also free and advice on trap placement and trapping techniques is also freely available, to help you improve your trapping successes!
The following traps are typically available to borrow:
Tunnel and a Victor Professional
Description
- A traditional wood based wire snap trap
Target Pest(s)
- NAWAC approved for ship rats
- Will catch all rats
Pros
- Traditional and proven rat trap-good brand for wood based wire snap traps
Cons
- Being wooden they can be a little messy after a capture, and then having to reset it. Gloves recommended!
- Not as durable over time, need to clean periodically and soak in water
DOC 150, 200 or 250 in a Wooden Tunnel
Description
- This is the classic all around trap, in differing sizes
Target Pest(s)
- DOC 150 – Norway rats, stoats, hedgehogs
- DOC 200 – As above, plus ship rats
- DOC 250, as above plus ferrets
Pros
- Traditional and proven tunnel design
- Durable
- Catches a variety of pests
Cons
- Heavier to carry in the bush
- DOC 250s are beasts to set
Trapinator
Description
- The Trapinator is a tree mounted trap that is highly effective targeting possums
- It’s light, durable, portable, and easy to use.
Target Pest(s)
- NAWAC approved for possums
Pros
- Lightweight, compact and durable
- Very easy to set and clear
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Like many traps of this nature, it requires the possum to pull down on the bite bar
Other traps available include:
- A Goodnature A24 rat (and stoat) trap, they are powered by a C02 gas canister and can reset themselves up to 24 times. Long-life lures have been developed to accompany the trap and ensure rats remain attracted to the trap.
- Live capture traps, typically designed to catch feral cats. You will have to dispatch the captured pest however!
- PodiTRAPs: The PodiTRAP is designed as a run through tunnel trap and is designed to target mustelids (ferrets, stoats and weasels), hedgehogs, rodents, and feral cats. The PodiTRAP is an easier and more intuitive solution for mustelid and rodent control.