Homemade Varmit Trap

[snagswolf]

Getting tired of the Coons getting into my garbage cans, and the groundhogs taking over my yard, so I decided to build my own varmit trap.

Got the idea for this last weekend, when I went to Frontier Life 1777, which was a group of people demonstrating what life was like in the late 1700s. They had a trap similar to this.

Didn't have any plans, but the concept was simple, and it turned out to be easy. The only thing I bought specifically for this project was a couple of springs. Everything else was leftovers, including scrap wood.

Started with the scrap wood. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7444.JPG)

Since it was scrap wood, I had to build some larger sizes out of the smaller pieces. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7446.JPG)

Finishing screwing the bottom to the sides. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7450.JPG)

The sides are on. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7453.JPG)

Getting ready to router the trigger hole. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7456.JPG)

The completed trigger hole. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7460.JPG)

Top has been screwed on. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7465.JPG)

Building the door out of smaller pieces. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7469.JPG)

Door has been attached with hinges. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7471.JPG)

Trigger bar attached to door. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7473.JPG)

Springs attached to either side of door. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7476.JPG)

Trigger shown in the set position. Trigger is made from a wire coat hanger, and the pivot is a nail, held down by staples. The trigger latches onto a screw in the end of the trigger bar. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7479.JPG)

Underside view of the trigger. Bait will be put on this end of the trigger, and any movement of the bait will cause the trigger to slide off of the screw on the trigger bar, causing the door to snap shut. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7480.JPG)

Door locks (one on either side). When the door slams shut, these locks get shoved to the side, and then snap back, holding the door closed. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7485.JPG)

Leather strap for a handle (away from any claws). (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7486.JPG)

Chicken wire stapled to open end. Not sure if this is going to hold, but if not, I'll replace it with something tougher. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7489.JPG)

The completed trap, set and ready to go. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7491.JPG)

Video of the trap in action. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/VarmitTrap.mpg)


If there are any captures, I'll let you know.

[DaGooseMon]

That's awesome.

[Drawz]

Nice!

I'd reccomend hardware cloth over chicken wire though.

[snagswolf]

Thanks Goose!

Drawz, I have some of that, but the piece was just a bit too small to fit over the opening. (You can see it on the table just to the right of the trap in the photo showing the chicken wire.)

I'll probably wake up to evidence of a jailbreak.

[CaptainPike]

What happens if you catch a leprechaun ??

[Drawz]

Thanks Goose!

Drawz, I have some of that, but the piece was just a bit too small to fit over the opening. (You can see it on the table just to the right of the trap in the photo showing the chicken wire.)

I'll probably wake up to evidence of a jailbreak.

:lol:

Growing up I had a German Shepard with a bad habit of busting through window screens and traipseing around the neighborhood, hardware cloth stopped her cold.

[Drawz]

What happens if you catch a leprechaun ??

Free breakfast cereal for life?

[snagswolf]

What happens if you catch a leprechaun ??
Make some Irish Stew.

[snagswolf]

Oh yeah, here's a photo of the trap that inspired mine:

(Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7335.JPG)

[CaptainPike]

Make some Irish Stew.

I would go with the breakfast cereal.

[Dual867PowerMac]

Getting tired of the Coons getting into my garbage cans, and the groundhogs taking over my yard, so I decided to build my own varmit trap.

Got the idea for this last weekend, when I went to Frontier Life 1777, which was a group of people demonstrating what life was like in the late 1700s. They had a trap similar to this.

Didn't have any plans, but the concept was simple, and it turned out to be easy. The only thing I bought specifically for this project was a couple of springs. Everything else was leftovers, including scrap wood.

Started with the scrap wood. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7444.JPG)

Since it was scrap wood, I had to build some larger sizes out of the smaller pieces. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7446.JPG)

Finishing screwing the bottom to the sides. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7450.JPG)

The sides are on. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7453.JPG)

Getting ready to router the trigger hole. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7456.JPG)

The completed trigger hole. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7460.JPG)

Top has been screwed on. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7465.JPG)

Building the door out of smaller pieces. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7469.JPG)

Door has been attached with hinges. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7471.JPG)

Trigger bar attached to door. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7473.JPG)

Springs attached to either side of door. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7476.JPG)

Trigger shown in the set position. Trigger is made from a wire coat hanger, and the pivot is a nail, held down by staples. The trigger latches onto a screw in the end of the trigger bar. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7479.JPG)

Underside view of the trigger. Bait will be put on this end of the trigger, and any movement of the bait will cause the trigger to slide off of the screw on the trigger bar, causing the door to snap shut. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7480.JPG)

Door locks (one on either side). When the door slams shut, these locks get shoved to the side, and then snap back, holding the door closed. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7485.JPG)

Leather strap for a handle (away from any claws). (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7486.JPG)

Chicken wire stapled to open end. Not sure if this is going to hold, but if not, I'll replace it with something tougher. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7489.JPG)

The completed trap, set and ready to go. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7491.JPG)

Video of the trap in action. (Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/VarmitTrap.mpg)


If there are any captures, I'll let you know.
I'm calling PETA. :((

[rhet 2]

Man, that is USEFUL good stuff!

I bet a smaller version could be used for mice, too. And a larger one for the dad-nab it possums that have decided they like urban life better than country.

And, if I catch the neighbor's cat instead, no harm no foul because I can just take it home instead of to the wildlife center for hauling out to the back of beyond.

Thank you so very much, Snagswolf!

You da MOST, for sure! :clap:

[snagswolf]

No captures so far.

Dual, when you talk to PETA, ask them if they have a good raccoon recipe.

http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:6Pc00EH5v3ojpM::wahi.typepad.com/.a/6a01053624b365970c011572146a19970b

Rhet, you need a bigger trap than this to catch opossums? Damn, how big are the possums around your area?

And I never thought about cats. We get a fair amount of those coming through our yard. I usually just let the dogs out when they notice them. I don't think a cat would be attracted to the same bait that a varmit would come after, but you never know.

[MrShotShot]

This works well too:

[snagswolf]

This works well too:
Nice! But then there wouldn't be any fur left to make a vest for my wife.

[rhet 2]

No captures so far.

Dual, when you talk to PETA, ask them if they have a good raccoon recipe.

What are you using for bait?

http://www.google.com/images?q=tbn:6Pc00EH5v3ojpM::wahi.typepad.com/.a/6a01053624b365970c011572146a19970b

Rhet, you need a bigger trap than this to catch opossums? Damn, how big are the possums around your area?

And I never thought about cats. We get a fair amount of those coming through our yard. I usually just let the dogs out when they notice them. I don't think a cat would be attracted to the same bait that a varmit would come after, but you never know.

:))

The one I spotted the other night IS huge -- and, get this, knuckleheads are screaming "Oh, aren't they kewwt? Leave those poor things alone! How dare you!" And they aren't even PETA.

Guess how many of the wood-for-brains have veggie gardens?

The cats are hunting the mice -- so I'm on the cats' side and bring the dog in. :))

Solutions for squirrels? Now that the mossburg fix is illegal, they're also on a rampage of destruction.

And what are you using for bait? And how are you attaching it to the trigger?

I'm thinking dog kibble in a nylon bag, like you would an herb scachet in a cooking pot?

[snagswolf]

:))

The one I spotted the other night IS huge -- and, get this, knuckleheads are screaming "Oh, aren't they kewwt? Leave those poor things alone! How dare you!" And they aren't even PETA.

Guess how many of the wood-for-brains have veggie gardens?

The cats are hunting the mice -- so I'm on the cats' side and bring the dog in. :))

Solutions for squirrels? Now that the mossburg fix is illegal, they're also on a rampage of destruction.

And what are you using for bait? And how are you attaching it to the trigger?

I'm thinking dog kibble in a nylon bag, like you would an herb scachet in a cooking pot?
I have never heard anyone call an opossum cute. That have to be one of the ugliest creatures on the planet.

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:T0iy1iIR1uIIbM:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bonediggers/images/evol-opossum-l.jpg

I don't usually have a problem with squirrels, but they did chew a hole in the plastic container I was using to store my monkey balls in over the winter. Damn animals. They have no grasp of the concept of property. ;)

And I'm actually embarrassed to admit what I used for bait last night. Wanted to use an apple or something like that, but didn't have any. Then I remembered the time a coon got into our basement, came up the stairs, and got into the shelf that's on the back of our basement door. He seemed to have a fondness for cocoa power (what a mess!), green apple twizzlers, and Taco Bell sauce packets. Since we were also out of cocoa and twizzlers, I strung some TB sauce packets on the wire.

The dog food is a great idea though, and I wish I'd thought of it. Thanks!

[rhet 2]

I have never heard anyone call an opossum cute. That have to be one of the ugliest creatures on the planet.

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:T0iy1iIR1uIIbM:http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bonediggers/images/evol-opossum-l.jpg

I don't usually have a problem with squirrels, but they did chew a hole in the plastic container I was using to store my monkey balls in over the winter. Damn animals. They have no grasp of the concept of property. ;)

And I'm actually embarrassed to admit what I used for bait last night. Wanted to use an apple or something like that, but didn't have any. Then I remembered the time a coon got into our basement, came up the stairs, and got into the shelf that's on the back of our basement door. He seemed to have a fondness for cocoa power (what a mess!), green apple twizzlers, and Taco Bell sauce packets. Since we were also out of cocoa and twizzlers, I strung some TB sauce packets on the wire.

The dog food is a great idea though, and I wish I'd thought of it. Thanks!

Whoa! finally a use for those blasted packets

I'm hounded by my Grandmother's "Waste Not, Want Not" mandates and cannot bear to throw the dad-nabbit things away "just in case" -- and they're a real pain in the fridge.

Did you open them so the critters could smell what's inside? Maybe smear some of the tarter sauce ones from LJS's on the outside? Might really pull some mice in, too.

I've got the scrap wood and wire -- need to find the springs -- and then I'm putting together a small one for under my 'maters where mice enter from the alley -- that one I'm baiting with some canned corn in a net bag, I think. Once I've practiced on the small one, I'll try my hand at the bigger one for the real destroyers.

Mice that eat a circle around the middle of a zuchini are really ticking me off.

But that's nothing compared to what the 'possums are doing to what few tomatoes my poor blighted hopefuls are producing. I know what my grandmother would have done to them for that stunt -- and somewhere I've got the ancient recipe for 'possum stew, to boot. Or are posums like squirrels and now on the verboten to eat list because of diseases?

I've actually thought about standing guard over my precious melons and punkins, though. They get one of those, to hell with the neighbors and the cops and "discharging a firearm in the city." Sometimes, you just have to remember your "roots" and do things like Granny did. :mad:

So I'm really hoping this trap thingie works.

if it gets the 'posum, then I'll try for a bait for the squirrels

I've got one that stands on top of the fence not four feet in front of my nose and dares me to try to stop it -- and I'm not just really good with the slingshot I borrowed from my grandson -- which Tail Flipper now knows.

[Alaric]

...demonstrating what life was like in the late 1700s. They had a trap similar to this.



This varmit trap was also built in the late 1700's, between 1792 and 1800.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG/248px-WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG

[snagswolf]

As predicted, the chicken wire wasn't strong enough.

(Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/DSCF7497.jpg)

It left quite a mess in there. This time I used dog food and an apple as bait. Thanks for the idea Rhet.

[snagswolf]

Whoa! finally a use for those blasted packets

I'm hounded by my Grandmother's "Waste Not, Want Not" mandates and cannot bear to throw the dad-nabbit things away "just in case" -- and they're a real pain in the fridge.

Did you open them so the critters could smell what's inside? Maybe smear some of the tarter sauce ones from LJS's on the outside? Might really pull some mice in, too.

I've got the scrap wood and wire -- need to find the springs -- and then I'm putting together a small one for under my 'maters where mice enter from the alley -- that one I'm baiting with some canned corn in a net bag, I think. Once I've practiced on the small one, I'll try my hand at the bigger one for the real destroyers.

Mice that eat a circle around the middle of a zuchini are really ticking me off.

But that's nothing compared to what the 'possums are doing to what few tomatoes my poor blighted hopefuls are producing. I know what my grandmother would have done to them for that stunt -- and somewhere I've got the ancient recipe for 'possum stew, to boot. Or are posums like squirrels and now on the verboten to eat list because of diseases?

I've actually thought about standing guard over my precious melons and punkins, though. They get one of those, to hell with the neighbors and the cops and "discharging a firearm in the city." Sometimes, you just have to remember your "roots" and do things like Granny did. :mad:

So I'm really hoping this trap thingie works.

if it gets the 'posum, then I'll try for a bait for the squirrels

I've got one that stands on top of the fence not four feet in front of my nose and dares me to try to stop it -- and I'm not just really good with the slingshot I borrowed from my grandson -- which Tail Flipper now knows.
Yeah, I opened the packets, but no luck with them. The dogfood worked great though.

I'd be curious to see if a mouse would be able to move the bait enough to set off the trap. Most mouse traps have a very fine hair-trigger. Speaking of mouse traps, why not just use those? Or are you looking for a humane solution?

Keep us updated on your progress.

[snagswolf]

This varmit trap was also built in the late 1700's, between 1792 and 1800.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG/248px-WhiteHouseSouthFacade.JPG
:))

And just like mine, some of the varmits crap all over the place before they leave.

[rhet 2]

Yeah, I opened the packets, but no luck with them. The dogfood worked great though.

I'd be curious to see if a mouse would be able to move the bait enough to set off the trap. Most mouse traps have a very fine hair-trigger. Speaking of mouse traps, why not just use those? Or are you looking for a humane solution?

Keep us updated on your progress.

I'd prefer humane -- I hate it when the trigger gets my fingers -- which it always does at least twice when I stick the things up under the plants.

You're right -- got the corn, netting and all -- didn't trigger it at all -- and they got another zuch last night -- so much for humane. Back to the old way.

But now I know the principle of building one -- and the grandkids have a new toy. Today, I mow and edge and weedeat -- will have to wait till tomorrow. The dog barked at the possum through half the night -- at least I think it was the possum -- four nearly ripe maters were gone this morning.

[rhet 2]

:))

And just like mine, some of the varmits crap all over the place before they leave.

IF you can get 'em to leave at all. RLMAO

[Vaard]

i had a groundhog eating up my veggies..... stripped my brussel sprout plants so bad i had to pull them out......

so... i find a havahart human trap on craigslist for free......

on my way back home with the trap... about a block from my house.. there is a groundhog sitting on the sidewalk, right at the edge of the road...

as i drive pass.. just as i get to the thing, it jumps out right into my truck.....god as my witness, i didnt aim for it, it jumped just as i got to it so it head was caught by my pasenger side tire (it was on the sidewalk of the passenger side of the car).. i had zero time to even react... i heard the crunch and in my rearview i could see it was clearly dead with a flat head.. i almost threw up in my mouth......

so ironically, if i had not gone to get this human trap, i wold not have run over the groundhog.......


i dont know if it was the same groundhog that was terrorizing my veggie garden, but after that day, none of my veggies have been touched.......

now i get oppossums and skunks in my yard all the time, they come out at night and scrounge under my bird feeders for uneaten seeds.. they dont touch any of my plants and they and my cats walk right by each other without bothering each other, so they dont bother me.........

[snagswolf]

i had a groundhog eating up my veggies..... stripped my brussel sprout plants so bad i had to pull them out......

so... i find a havahart human trap on craigslist for free......

on my way back home with the trap... about a block from my house.. there is a groundhog sitting on the sidewalk, right at the edge of the road...

as i drive pass.. just as i get to the thing, it jumps out right into my truck.....god as my witness, i didnt aim for it, it jumped just as i got to it so it head was caught by my pasenger side tire (it was on the sidewalk of the passenger side of the car).. i had zero time to even react... i heard the crunch and in my rearview i could see it was clearly dead with a flat head.. i almost threw up in my mouth......

so ironically, if i had not gone to get this human trap, i wold not have run over the groundhog.......


i dont know if it was the same groundhog that was terrorizing my veggie garden, but after that day, none of my veggies have been touched.......

now i get oppossums and skunks in my yard all the time, they come out at night and scrounge under my bird feeders for uneaten seeds.. they dont touch any of my plants and they and my cats walk right by each other without bothering each other, so they dont bother me.........
:))

Almost like a mini Tiananmen Square, your animal uprising was squelched with a show of force. ;)

[snagswolf]

Success! One coon down, many to go.

(Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7508.JPG)

As you can see, I replaced the chicken wire with hardware cloth. Since the piece I had was slightly too small, I decreased the opening by attaching a board across the bottom.

The coon was much more calm than I thought he would be, just laying there peacefully when I discovered him in there this morning.

[birddog1]

Success! One coon down, many to go.

(Link to photo) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7508.JPG)

As you can see, I replaced the chicken wire with hardware cloth. Since the piece I had was slightly too small, I decreased the opening by attaching a board across the bottom.

The coon was much more calm than I thought he would be, just laying there peacefully when I discovered him in there this morning.

Just a heads up, coons are really good at finding their way home, especially if there is a good food supply, so if you are releasing them it needs to be really far away from home.

Also if you are using dog food, tuna, cat food, or sardines as bait approach it with caution each day as skunks are extremely attracted to those kinds of baits. I have had the best luck at targeting coons by using sweet items, the best luck I have had is spreading peanut butter on marshmallows.

[snagswolf]

Just a heads up, coons are really good at finding their way home, especially if there is a good food supply, so if you are releasing them it needs to be really far away from home.
How far away is really far? And do you think they could swim across the Ohio River?

Also if you are using dog food, tuna, cat food, or sardines as bait approach it with caution each day as skunks are extremely attracted to those kinds of baits. I have had the best luck at targeting coons by using sweet items, the best luck I have had is spreading peanut butter on marshmallows.
Thanks for that heads up. That would be bad, catching a skunk. One time our dog got sprayed by one, and man, it was bad. I'll have to pick up some marshmallows.

[rhet 2]

How far away is really far? And do you think they could swim across the Ohio River?


Thanks for that heads up. That would be bad, catching a skunk. One time our dog got sprayed by one, and man, it was bad. I'll have to pick up some marshmallows.

Not as bad as when you're the one that gets sprayed instead. :)) Happened to my dad late one night when he had to visit the outhouse on the farm when we were kids. It took gallons of tomatoes before grandmom would let him into the house. Then we kids had to scrub out the canning jars the next day -- hours up to our elbows in a dishpan. While she fussed under her breath about careless foolish MEN who couldn't look where they were walking before they stepped in cowpies -- and scared skunks out of their minds.

I don't know about the Ohio, but coons swim the Rio Grande and the Neches River all the time as part of their regular forays.

Something got the bait last night and didn't trip the trigger -- must have it too secure or something.

We have a local wildlife protection outfit -- we turn the critters over to them, and they drive several at a time a couple of hundred miles away to release 'em.

[birddog1]

How far away is really far? And do you think they could swim across the Ohio River?


Thanks for that heads up. That would be bad, catching a skunk. One time our dog got sprayed by one, and man, it was bad. I'll have to pick up some marshmallows.

If I was going to release one and hope it didn't come back I would take it a minimum of 20-30 miles away. Preferabbly I would send him to coon heaven so he wouldn't get a chance to make it back.

A river isn't much of an obstacle to a coon they are very good swimmers and often use water to lose predators. I have heard many instances of coons luring dogs out into water and drowning them by climbing on their head.

[snagswolf]

If I was going to release one and hope it didn't come back I would take it a minimum of 20-30 miles away. Preferabbly I would send him to coon heaven so he wouldn't get a chance to make it back.

A river isn't much of an obstacle to a coon they are very good swimmers and often use water to lose predators. I have heard many instances of coons luring dogs out into water and drowning them by climbing on their head.
Damn.

I picked the Rambo of animals to start a war with.

[snagswolf]

Rambo is right. When I got home today from work, he had escaped!

I had put the trap up on my patio wall under the pine tree, so he wouldn't be sitting in the sun all day. That little houdini must have rocked the trap off of the wall so it fell to the patio, and when it hit the ground, it broke off one of the door locks. He was then able to pry open the door a bit and slipped out.

Now I have a ****ed off raccoon out in the woods, looking for payback.

[Vaard]

raccoons are damn smart animals....

make sure your doors and windows are locked tonight......

[snagswolf]

Here's a raccoon story that happened to my wife about 10 years ago, in my wife's own words, posted on our family page:

This is the true story of my unfortunate involvement with a wild raccoon. It all began one morning, I called the kids for breakfast and let Goonie out for his morning stroll. I heard him barking, so I opened up the door to let him in. He came running up the walkway full force barking and yapping, as he passed me by, I happened to notice that A WILD RACCOON WAS HANGING OFF OF HIS BUTT!

Needless to say it was quite a shock. Well the raccoon dismounted, and Goonie ran upstairs. I immediately jumped onto the kitchen table, screaming and crying for the kids to lock themselves in their room with Goonie. At this point the raccoon began to circle the kitchen table making very aggressive noises, and trying to reach up to me. I became hysterical. I was able to reach my cordless phone, and after a very confused wrong number, I was able to reach my neighbor and beg for some help. While I was waiting for help to arrive, I called my sister-in-law, Cindy, because she is always a cool head in a crisis. The raccoon is now running all over the house screaming and growling, Goonie is barking ferociously (behind the safety of the locked door) and the kids are wondering what the heck is going on.

My neighbor arrived with a large push broom which he shoved at the raccoon. The raccoon attacked it, and my neighbor was able to carry him outside where he dismounted and ran away.

Goonie was checked and found to be unscathed, I was fine except for my pride and the kids had a great story to tell at school that morning.
I was on my way to work when this happened, and when I got there, I had a couple of voicemails on my phone. The first one was my wife babbling like a wild woman. I couldn't understand a word she said, and I thought something had happened one of our kids.

The second one was much calmer, and she explained what had happened. The funniest part was that she told the kids to run upstair and LOCK the door. I asked her if she thought the coon was going to be able to turn the door knob.

To this day, she hates raccoons.

[Army Wife]

How far away is really far? And do you think they could swim across the Ohio River?

HEY Don't put him on MY side for the river there are enough freeloaders here as it is.....


:angel:

[Vaard]

Here's a raccoon story that happened to my wife about 10 years ago, in my wife's own words, posted on our family page:


I was on my way to work when this happened, and when I got there, I had a couple of voicemails on my phone. The first one was my wife babbling like a wild woman. I couldn't understand a word she said, and I thought something had happened one of our kids.

The second one was much calmer, and she explained what had happened. The funniest part was that she told the kids to run upstair and LOCK the door. I asked her if she thought the coon was going to be able to turn the door knob.

To this day, she hates raccoons.

http://www.trapleggetts.com/animal%20control.htm

It is not normal to see raccoons during the daylight hours. If encountered during daylight hours, they are, normally, infected by some disease.

[gb2004]

Here's a raccoon story that happened to my wife about 10 years ago, in my wife's own words, posted on our family page:


I was on my way to work when this happened, and when I got there, I had a couple of voicemails on my phone. The first one was my wife babbling like a wild woman. I couldn't understand a word she said, and I thought something had happened one of our kids.

The second one was much calmer, and she explained what had happened. The funniest part was that she told the kids to run upstair and LOCK the door. I asked her if she thought the coon was going to be able to turn the door knob.

To this day, she hates raccoons.

:)):)):))

[snagswolf]

Got another coon last night. (Not the same one as before.) When I woke this morning he was banging around inside the trap. I went out to check on him, and he calmed down when he saw me. It looked like the trap was holding together pretty well.

But after I washed up and got dressed, I went out to check on him again, and he was starting to chew through the new wire fencing. I was planning on driving him to where I work and releasing him there, but I didn't want a wild coon escaping from the trap while I was driving.

So, I just let him go. Opened the door but he was facing the other way so he didn't realize it. It wasn't until I poked him with a stick through the fence did he finally turn around and see he was free.

The trap needs redesigned. Not only is the wire fence too weak, but the position of the trigger board while the trap is closed makes it very unwieldy to stow in my car.

(Link to Image) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7758.jpg)

[StoneScratcher]

Got another coon last night. (Not the same one as before.) When I woke this morning he was banging around inside the trap. I went out to check on him, and he calmed down when he saw me. It looked like the trap was holding together pretty well.

But after I washed up and got dressed, I went out to check on him again, and he was starting to chew through the new wire fencing. I was planning on driving him to where I work and releasing him there, but I didn't want a wild coon escaping from the trap while I was driving.

So, I just let him go. Opened the door but he was facing the other way so he didn't realize it. It wasn't until I poked him with a stick through the fence did he finally turn around and see he was free.

The trap needs redesigned. Not only is the wire fence too weak, but the position of the trigger board while the trap is closed makes it very unwieldy to stow in my car.

(Link to Image) (http://home.comcast.net/~sdwolf/VarmitTrap/DSCF7758.jpg)

:hug: It's so nice to read that you're not killing them! Thanks! It takes alot more effort, but how cool is that that you're not sentencing them to death.

I used humane traps to capture some mice that were living under the dogs' house. And when I drove them down the road I opened the trap and one of them ran up my arm! LOL! I flung the trap and almost took my shirt off. It didn't bite or hurt me, but I couldn't find the trap. I was sick thinking that some mouse or chipmunk might go into the trap and get stuck and die. That's the furthest I ever threw anything in my life.

Field mice are so cute too. They look like little teddy bears.

Thanks for all the pictures.

[snagswolf]

:hug: It's so nice to read that you're not killing them! Thanks! It takes alot more effort, but how cool is that that you're not sentencing them to death.

I used humane traps to capture some mice that were living under the dogs' house. And when I drove them down the road I opened the trap and one of them ran up my arm! LOL! I flung the trap and almost took my shirt off. It didn't bite or hurt me, but I couldn't find the trap. I was sick thinking that some mouse or chipmunk might go into the trap and get stuck and die. That's the furthest I ever threw anything in my life.

Field mice are so cute too. They look like little teddy bears.

Thanks for all the pictures.
Then you wouldn't be offering me hugs if you knew what I do to mice.

My deal to animals is, stay out of my house and I won't kill you. Cute or not, mice are vermin that carry disease and get into our food. I use the spring traps to kill them whenever I see traces of them.

One time there was a bit of a commotion in my kitchen, and I went to check it out. Turns out a mouse had been killed in one of the traps, but one of its friends (mate maybe?) was trying to drag it, trap and all, towards the back of the refrigerator. It saw me and then ran away, but then reappeared a few seconds later and returned to its attempts to drag its friend to 'safety'. I chased it away, disposed of the body, and then reset the trap, in an attempt to 'reunite' the lovers.

[StoneScratcher]

Then you wouldn't be offering me hugs if you knew what I do to mice.

My deal to animals is, stay out of my house and I won't kill you. Cute or not, mice are vermin that carry disease and get into our food. I use the spring traps to kill them whenever I see traces of them.

One time there was a bit of a commotion in my kitchen, and I went to check it out. Turns out a mouse had been killed in one of the traps, but one of its friends (mate maybe?) was trying to drag it, trap and all, towards the back of the refrigerator. It saw me and then ran away, but then reappeared a few seconds later and returned to its attempts to drag its friend to 'safety'. I chased it away, disposed of the body, and then reset the trap, in an attempt to 'reunite' the lovers.

Well....in the house is another thing. But I'd still try humane traps first. Gross to think about pouring out a box of cereal into the bowl and those aren't raisins. :sick:

I think Glue Traps are cruel. Imagine getting stuck and just dying from starvation.

[snagswolf]

Well....in the house is another thing. But I'd still try humane traps first. Gross to think about pouring out a box of cereal into the bowl and those aren't raisins. :sick:

I think Glue Traps are cruel. Imagine getting stuck and just dying from starvation.
Yeah, I tried the glue traps once. The first mouse I caught, I attempted to pry it off the glue and set it free outside. It took some effort, but I finally got it off, but it basically was stuck to itself, and couldn't move.

I decided it was much more humane to use up the rest of the glue traps by using a brick to smash any mice caught in them.

[Vaard]

my mouse trap is called a cat.......

although when the cat snaps the back of the mouse and then watches it try to crawl away on its front paws seems a bit excessive.......

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

For Rhet and Snags:

For area's with allot of raccoons...best way I've found to deal with them is to literally give um what they want. I usually find some old ceramic large pot that I can place wild feed for raccoons in..and keep it filled. I also place a large open bowl with fresh water by the wild feed at the edge of whatever property we are in...as they like to wash their food. Kept my veggies unmolested by greedy little paws..and my dog food water bowl and or pools clean from them washing their findings in said clean bowls of water. It's a bit more day to day work..but worth every darn minute in saving veggies and your sanity!

Possums, ground hogs and other rodents...find a neighbor with an apple tree. (Green or Grannies work best.) Ask if you can have their 'fall' fruit. (The stuff that isn't ripe yet but has fallen off the tree due to wind). Group them together in small piles where you believe these varmints are living. Two things will happen....one, they will eat the fall fruit..and then two...will get the worst case of stomach indigestion (but doesn't kill them or severely hurt them). This causes them to vacate the area; usually after one or two episodes of eating the proffered fall fruit . (This works well Rhet with small piles of said fallen fruit around the boarders of your veggies. Not only is it good mulch for late September..but the varmints will hit those piles first...and leave...with tummy full...and not touch your growing veggies.

I've heard unripe potato work well too..but man..they begin to smell after just one or two nights out in the air. And if all else fails...pee. Yup...pee around the boarders of your property at least once a week. Surround your veggies garden with it too. Gross I know..but works like a charm! I know people have used up the remainder of doe pee to keep varmints away..but doesn't work as well as human pee. Don't know why..it just does. My neighbor would eat a nice side dish of asparagus...save her urine the next morning..and spray it around the boarders of her property and her gardens. Works really well...almost too well..if ya know what I mean. lol

Good luck with the varmints....

~Mysty

[StoneScratcher]

Yeah, I tried the glue traps once. The first mouse I caught, I attempted to pry it off the glue and set it free outside. It took some effort, but I finally got it off, but it basically was stuck to itself, and couldn't move.

I decided it was much more humane to use up the rest of the glue traps by using a brick to smash any mice caught in them.

:think: Nope. Didn't happen. You value the brick too much and would never get mouse parts and glue trap glue off a good brick.

Thanks for the visual though, Snagswolf. Just be thankful racoons can't read...woodland creatures tend to stick together (without the use of glue).

[snagswolf]

For Rhet and Snags:

For area's with allot of raccoons...best way I've found to deal with them is to literally give um what they want. I usually find some old ceramic large pot that I can place wild feed for raccoons in..and keep it filled. I also place a large open bowl with fresh water by the wild feed at the edge of whatever property we are in...as they like to wash their food. Kept my veggies unmolested by greedy little paws..and my dog food water bowl and or pools clean from them washing their findings in said clean bowls of water. It's a bit more day to day work..but worth every darn minute in saving veggies and your sanity!

Possums, ground hogs and other rodents...find a neighbor with an apple tree. (Green or Grannies work best.) Ask if you can have their 'fall' fruit. (The stuff that isn't ripe yet but has fallen off the tree due to wind). Group them together in small piles where you believe these varmints are living. Two things will happen....one, they will eat the fall fruit..and then two...will get the worst case of stomach indigestion (but doesn't kill them or severely hurt them). This causes them to vacate the area; usually after one or two episodes of eating the proffered fall fruit . (This works well Rhet with small piles of said fallen fruit around the boarders of your veggies. Not only is it good mulch for late September..but the varmints will hit those piles first...and leave...with tummy full...and not touch your growing veggies.
You're asking for a lot of concessions there. ;)

I do all that, and they're going to be bringing in all their cousins to become part of the gravy train.

I've heard unripe potato work well too..but man..they begin to smell after just one or two nights out in the air. And if all else fails...pee. Yup...pee around the boarders of your property at least once a week. Surround your veggies garden with it too. Gross I know..but works like a charm! I know people have used up the remainder of doe pee to keep varmints away..but doesn't work as well as human pee. Don't know why..it just does. My neighbor would eat a nice side dish of asparagus...save her urine the next morning..and spray it around the boarders of her property and her gardens. Works really well...almost too well..if ya know what I mean. lol

Good luck with the varmints....

~Mysty
I've also found that peeing around my yard keeps the other guys away from my wife. ;)

Thanks, your post was very informative.

[Vaard]

you can buy wolf urine in a spray form......

they have removed the part that humans smell, but animals still smell the scent.......

i spray it up in my attic to keep the sugar gliders out........

[StoneScratcher]

you can buy wolf urine in a spray form......

they have removed the part that humans smell, but animals still smell the scent.......

i spray it up in my attic to keep the sugar gliders out........

I wonder if Snagswolf does this to his before he does it around his house as he says he does...

Snagswolf: I've also found that peeing around my yard keeps the other guys away from my wife. ;)

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

You're asking for a lot of concessions there. ;)

I do all that, and they're going to be bringing in all their cousins to become part of the gravy train.

Ya know, I thought so too at first. We had a neighbor...old enough to remember when God was a boy old ;)...and he was the one who told me the whole feed um to get rid of um philosophy. I was beyond skeptical and thought I'd have every raccoon for miles around eating me out of house and home. Surprisingly..it worked. I found a new spot for my fresh veggies, fruit left overs...the local feed store carries these small cube like wild grain raccoon food..and wah-la...veggies and domestic animal food was safe from greedy little paws. Ran me about 25.00 dollars a month..which wasn't bad. I loved watching for my raccoons in spring...all the new babies with momma raccoon...showing them to eat only what was out for them. I always kept it away from the house and gardens..towards the back of the property..kept my veggies and sanity safe. Small price to pay let me tell ya. ;)


I've also found that peeing around my yard keeps the other guys away from my wife. ;)

Thanks, your post was very informative.

My pleasure. Gardner's have to stick together right? As for 'pee' barriers...lol...you let me know how that works for ya. hehehehehehe

~Mysty