Give predators a one-way ticket out of your backyard!

Want to do your bit to help make Cambridge and our wider environment predator free? This T-Rex Rat Trap & Tunnel Combo is a simple, effective way to get started with backyard rat control.

The T-Rex trap is an easy-to-use snap trap designed specifically for rats and, when used correctly inside its tunnel, provides a safer way to trap around homes, gardens and community spaces. The tunnel helps keep the trap protected from children, pets and some non-target animals, while guiding rats towards the trap.

What's included

• 1 x T-Rex rat trap

• 1 x protective wooden trap tunnel

• 1 x Jar of small Peanut Butter to lure them in (not for human consumption)

• Ready to bait, set and put to work!

Trapping Tips & Tricks

1. Location is everything.
Look for signs of rat activity such as droppings, chewed food, holes or runs.  Place your tunnel along a natural travel route such as a fence line, hedge, wall, garden edge or track. Rats prefer travelling along established routes rather than crossing open spaces.

2. Keep your trap stable.
Make sure the tunnel sits firmly and doesn't wobble.  A stable trap is much more inviting to a cautious rat.

3. Start with an attractive bait.
Peanut butter is a great all-rounder, but you can also try chocolate, nuts or mayonnaise.  If your bait keeps disappearing without a catch, try changing the bait or reducing the amount you use.

4. Don't over-bait.
A small amount is usually enough. Too much bait can allow a rat to feed without properly interacting with the trigger.

5. Give your trap time.
If you're not catching anything, don't assume there are no rats.  Try moving the tunnel a few metres (after at least a couple of weeks in one place), changing the bait or improving the approach to the tunnel.

6. Check regularly.
When you first put your trap out, check it every few days.

7. Wear gloves.
Always wear gloves when handling traps or catches, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.  The best plase to pick up a rat is from its ear, its the cleanest part of its body.  Dispose of catches responsibly, this can be into your compost bin, out with the trash or even into a hole in the garden.  

8. Record your catches.
Keeping a simple record of what you catch and when you catch it is a great way to see how your predator control is progressing.  You can do this via Trap.nz, seach for "Aroha Cambridge Backyard Trappers", register and we can get you in on the team.  This app helps to keep records of your catchs and build a picture of what's happening in your backyard or local area.

Try a Flour Blaze

A flour blaze is a simple visual and scented lure that can help draw predators towards your trap, enticing them to explore beyond their normal track. White flour stands out at night, while the scent creates curiosity and encourages predators to investigate.

Blaze Mix Recipe

You'll need:

• 4 parts plain white flour

• 1 part icing sugar

• A small amount of cinnamon or another appealing scent

How to make it:

Mix the flour and icing sugar together thoroughly, add a small amount of smelly eg cinnamon/vanilla essence, mix all well together. 

To create your blaze, sprinkle or lightly smear the mixture along the ground, a tree trunk or nearby surface leading towards your trap. Keep the blaze outside the trap and tunnel so it doesn't become damp and mouldy.

A flour blaze is a lure — not a substitute for good trap placement and fresh bait.

Remember: trap smart, trap regularly

Predator control works best when it becomes part of your routine. Set your trap, check it regularly, keep it clean and record your catches.

One trap. One backyard. One less predator.

Together, these small actions add up to a big difference for Aotearoa's native wildlife.

Please always use traps responsibly and consider children, pets and non-target native species when choosing where to place your trap.

For further support, or needing to get some extra advice on trapping, reach out to our team via email to connect@arohacambridge.nz