A GARDEN VARMINT TRAP: MOTHER'S CHILDREN

(Page 2 of 3)

July/August 1987
 
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How the Trap Works

The trap is simple but effective. When an animal jostles the trigger by chewing on the bait stick, the string that holds up the top and front is released. Those pieces (which, nailed together as a unit, make the trap's door) pivot on their hinge in the back of the trap and fall down. The box then shuts like giant jaws closing shut.

Construction

Take the rear piece and cut it as shown in the diagrams, taking off two corners to form a modified V on one end and sawing a small notch at the V's end for the trap's string. Next, nail this piece and the sides onto the bottom. Nail them so they stand on top of the bottom piece (rather than having the bottom fit inside the sides and rear). That way the top will fit snugly on the trap when it closes. Also, as you nail the back to the sides, be sure not to drive your nails too close to the top of the sides. Stop 1" short to leave room for the wood screws that will make the hinge.

Matt's caught opossums, squirrels, rabbits, rats and even birds.

Drill a 13/16" hole in the back, 4" from the bottom, for the bait stick to poke through. Cut a 1" hole from the middle of your screen and tack or staple the 6" X 6" screen to the inside back wall. Otherwise, some pests, particularly squirrels, will chew on the hole until they can escape through it.

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