Trapping and baiting small rodents

Chystal L. Nelson
School of Science and Natural Resources
Lake Superior State University
February 4, 1997



Abstract. Some mice and rats thrive alongside human populations. They
can become pests by consuming food, spreading disease and destroying
property. This leads to the need to set traps in order to control th rodent
population. This study attempted to determine the best trap and bait to use
based on efficiency. Three sites; Blanchard, Petoskey and Suger Island
were chosen in the state of Michigan. At the first two sites, the best trap
and the two most productive baits were determined. Results where then
detemined using this best trap and the two productive baits at the third site.
Eight different traps and five different baits were set in various places at
each site. There were a total of 1306 trap-nights; 784 in Blanchard. 312 in
Petoskey and 210 on Sugar Island. A total ot 50 rodents were caught; 26 in
Blanchard, 11 in Petoskey, and 13 on Sugar Island. The common Victor
snap trap was found to be the most effective trap for small rodents, and
chocolate was the most productive bait used.




Selected readings

Differences in Trapping and Killing Efficiency of Sherman, Victor, and Museum Special
Traps for House Mice. The American Midland Naturalist V. 112.pp.207-5 July 1984
Daly, M. and Behrends P.


Effects of trap position on the capture of woodland rodents. Journal of Zoology V. 200
pp289-92 June 1983, Gurnell J. and Langbein J.