Welcome to another exciting episode of "Living the Wildlife" with your host, Steven Vantassel. We're thrilled to have you on board as part of the Pest Keek podcast family. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the world of rodent traps, sharing five game-changing strategies that will revolutionize your capture success.

 

Steven has been busy recording multiple episodes because, well, the kitty of videos was running a bit low. As we approach the holiday season, it's crucial to stay up-to-date with the latest insights in the field of wildlife control. So, don't forget to hit that subscribe button and ring the bell to get notified of our latest updates.

 

But wait, if you're not a fan of YouTube, no worries! You can also find us over on Rumble. Simply head to Rumble and search for "Wildlife Control Consultant." And for any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Steven at [email protected] or even at his old email address, [email protected].

 

Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of today's discussion. We're delving into a fascinating research article from the 1990s. Specifically, it's from 1993 and authored by Mr. Jorgenson, Dearis, and Witor. The title alone is intriguing: "The Effect of Box Trap Design on Rodent Captures." This article, published in the Southwestern Naturalist (Volume 39, Issue 3, Pages 291-294), takes us on a journey to uncover whether box traps with solid walls are more or less effective at capturing rodents compared to cage traps.

 

In this episode, we explore why this research matters, especially for wildlife control professionals who want to improve their trapping techniques. We'll compare the Sherman trap, commonly used in small mammal surveys, with a cage trap, looking at dimensions and trigger sensitivity. The researchers used a paired trapping design, placing both types of traps at various locations to determine which trap attracted more rodents.

 

The study was extensive, with over a thousand trap nights in one location and several hundred in another. Trap nights, for those new to the term, refer to one trap left out for one night. So, the researchers had an abundance of data to work with.

 

The results, while not surprising, shed light on rodent behavior and trap preferences. Generally, the Sherman trap outperformed the cage trap in capturing small mammals. But why? Was it the dimensions, the design, or perhaps the trigger sensitivity? The researchers considered all these factors.

 

Join us as we unravel the findings of this study and discover the secrets to successful rodent trapping. We'll explore the nuances of trap design, sensitivity, and the importance of continuous learning in the wildlife control profession.

 

Plus, Steven encourages all wildlife control operators to take a leaf from this research's book and consider conducting their mini-studies. By understanding which traps work best in their specific areas and for different species, professionals can provide more effective solutions to their clients.

 

So, whether you're a seasoned wildlife control expert or a homeowner dealing with a rodent issue, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Don't miss it! And remember, we don't want you to be the wildlife—stay tuned and take care until next time!

 

#WildlifeControl #RodentTrapping #PestManagement #TrapDesign #TrappingTechniques #ResearchInsights #PestgeekPodcast #WildlifeSolutions #CaptureSuccess #ProfessionalWildlifeControl

 

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE

 

Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC

 

Blog: https://wildlifecontrolconsultant.com/

 

Papers: https://kingsdivinity.academia.edu/StephenMVantassel

 

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxP_IBhnqcgvX_aRM4f91nQ

 

Podcasts: https://pestgeekpodcast.com/stephen-vantassel/

 

Phone: 406-272-5323 Mtn Time

 

Helping people resolve conflicts with wildlife through teaching, training, writing, and research

 

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