How to check your A24 trap is working
Sometimes if you're not seeing bodies, you might wonder whether your trap is operating as you have expected. If you're trapping outdoors, a lack of bodies is usually explained by scavenging, but it’s important to check that your trap is working every now and then.
If you haven’t already, test fire your trap.
Step one
Remove the black cap from the top of the trap by unscrewing it anticlockwise.
Step two
Looking down inside the trap, use a pen or small stick to push the silver trigger to one side. Keep your fingers well clear at all times and be prepared to hear a bit of a bang. The striker inside the trap is powerful enough to kill a pest so it would be very painful if any part of you got in its way!
Step three
If there is still gas in the trap, the striker will fire. If your trap isn’t firing, you may just need a new gas canister. Replace the gas canister and test fire again. If the trap still isn’t working, even with a new canister, please get in touch so we can help. Contact us at hello@goodnature.co.nz.
Did you get a strike?
If you followed the steps above and successfully triggered the trap, then your trap is fully operational! You have just simulated a pest entering a trap, and meeting a humane end. If your trap is working but you think that you haven't caught as many pests as you expected, you will want to employ different strategies to op trapping. To get the most success out of your trap, it's important to understand these 3 steps for successful trapping:
Follow the links to learn more and optimize your trapping!