KRIT-R-KATCHER

Enlarge Image Image Gallery ILLUSTRATIONS: RODNEY A. OKYNE

COUNTRY LORE

Make your own humane box trap.

I was recently faced with removing a family of squirrels who had set up winter housekeeping in my attic. Attempts to drive them off using the "ol' mothball trick" failed miserably. Mothballs allegedly possess some kind of squirrel-repellent properties. Possibly if fired at then from a shotgun—otherwise I can't agree.

The squirrels had to go. Commercial live-catch traps proved prohibitive, costwise, and I wasn't about to call in a pro. Snares and leg-hold traps are "messy," and I really saw no reason to kill our little guests. So I was left with designing and constructing the following live-catch trap on my own.

The trap consists of an open-ended box, one end covered with wire screen or mesh and the other having a flap-type door supported by a simple prop for the trigger. The door is the key to the entire project: it opens inward and is beveled on its bottom edge, so that when our furry friend knocks or brushes the prop aside, the door (possibly made from heavier material than the trap sides or even weighted for a quick 'n clean drop) closes and, try as he might, the animal can't pull the door inward to escape.

My trap is slightly bulkier and cruder than it needs to be, but it has undergone several modifications from its original, prototype form. With my first attempt, I made the trap too short and so the door would actually drop on the animal, allowing him to simply back out.

So far, I've only caught squirrels with my trap (and three wayward blue jays going for the sunflower seed bait), but I would presume that a raccoon may have the manual dexterity and cunning needed to work and worry the door open. I would suggest pretty close tolerances between door and trap sides.

The hinge is just some allpurpose, lightweight steel strapping (used for securing household pipes, etc.., and found in plumbing supply sections at most home stores) and an old wooden dowel.