Where to Place Live Traps

Wild animals can be a nuisance to your home or property. Using a live trap is a safe and effective method that allows you to humanely capture and release the animal. For more information about live trapping, you can read our articles about how to use a live trap and how to bait a live trap.

An important part of using your live trap is the placement. This will vary depending on the animal you are trying to catch. If there are signs of damage on your property but you are unsure of what animal it is, you can read our guide on how to know you need live traps.

When handling the bait or the live trap, you need to be wearing gloves. This will prevent leaving your scent on these items. If a wild animal picks up on a human scent it will actively avoid that area, which will make your live trap ineffective.

If you are using a live trap and want to know where to place it, read this DIY guide for our step-by-step instructions.

Inspection

You will need to observe your home or property for signs of animal activity. This is where you want your live trap to be.

Wild animals will have different types of damage, but the majority of them will leave behind tracks. You will also want to look for damage. If you have a garden, fruit, or vegetables on your property, observe this area to see if you have chewed food or freshly dug holes.

Take note of cracks and crevices along the foundation and roof of your home. Damaged roof shingles and gnawed electrical wiring are signs of a wild animal invading your attic. Some wild animals will dig holes and burrow along the foundation for shelter. More aggressive animal types such as raccoons will potentially knock over trash cans in search of food.

Things to Consider

After finding out areas of high animal activity, you can place, bait, and set your trap. When doing this, there are a few variables to consider when live trapping.

• Elevation: For best results, the live trap needs to be placed on an even surface. Be mindful of this if you are wanting to place the trap on a hill or around rocky terrain.
• Property Layout: If you are finding constant activity near wooded areas, consider installing fencing to separate your property from the woods. This will prevent having to use several live traps along your treatment area.
• Baiting Location: You may accidentally capture an unwanted animal, especially if you use a strong-smelling bait such as cat food. Consider using peanut butter as an alternative. It is cheap and easy to apply, as well as being a desirable bait for many wild animals.