How to Use Your Flipping Timmy Trap
Hey Tamahere community! If you’ve just borrowed one of our Flipping Timmy traps, you’re in the right place. Here’s a simple guide to help you get the most out of your trap and make sure it’s working effectively.
Flipping Timmy possum trap with a scent trail of white flour on the tree and ramp, and a nearby rat trap to prevent bait theft and attract more pests.
Setting Up Your Trap
Location: First things first - where to put it? Place the trap on a tree or along a path where possums frequently roam. Look for signs like scratches or droppings. If the trap hasn’t caught anything after a few weeks, try moving it. Even a small shift a few metres away can make a big difference!
Pine pollen-coloured possum poo Image Credit J Morgan
Installation: Make sure the trap is securely attached. Use screws (nails aren’t ideal) to fix the trap to a tree or fence post. Aim to mount it about 1 metre off the ground. This height makes it easy for you to set and re-bait the trap, while keeping it out of reach of pets.
Pets: Well-fed pets might be curious about something new in their surroundings, but they’re unlikely to be interested enough to explore the trap. To keep even the most inquisitive cats away, mount the trap at least 1 meter above the ground and use sweet bait instead of meat. This setup ensures your pets stay safe and helps focus the trap's appeal on possums.
Bait: Use something sweet and fruity—think cinnamon-coated apple or dried apricot. Meat is a no-go if you want to keep cats at bay. Remember, only bait the trap when it’s not set, and never put your hand inside a set trap. Need a visual? Check out this handy video: How to Bait and Set the Trap.
Trapping Tips
Co-locate Traps: Place rat traps close to your possum traps. Rats often scavenge possum bait, so having rat traps nearby can stop this and create an extra scent trail that attracts possums.
Pre-Feeding: Give your trap a boost by placing some bait on the tree trunk and base of the tree. This helps possums find the trap more easily. For an extra attractant, try using Smooth Blue Lure—a sweet, cinnamon-scented blue paste that trappers swear by. Apply a little to your bait, smear it on the outside of the trap and along the inside lip. You can also create a thin line of it on the tree trunk leading up to the trap.
Scent Trails: Smear a mix of flour and icing sugar around the trap area, and add a scent like vanilla or aniseed. Possums are attracted to white and new smells, so this will help draw them in. Plus, the added scent from nearby rat traps will strengthen the trail.
A ship rat climbing the tree near a Flipping Timmy trap Image credit J Morgan
Bait Freshness: Swap out the bait weekly. Old, dried-out bait doesn’t lure possums very well. Fresh bait is much more enticing.
Bait Types: Use sweet, scented bait like a quarter apple dusted with cinnamon, seasonal fruit, or carrot with possum lure. Scatter small bits of fruit or carrot around the trap and apply a scent trail on the tree and nearby area.
Ramps: Adding a ramp helps possums access the trap more easily. Aim for a gentle incline angled about 30 to 45 degrees. Leave a 30cm gap between the top of the ramp and the trap to ensure a humane catch.
Possum Scent: If you catch a possum, don’t clean the trap—leave bits of fur and scent in there. This can actually attract more possums, especially during the mating seasons (March/April and September/October). Letting the scent linger helps draw in more!
Recipe for Scent Trail
Mix up 500g of white flour with 100g of icing sugar and 1-2 teaspoons of curry powder, cinnamon, or vanilla essence. Spread this mixture liberally around the trap area to make it extra appealing to possums.
What to Do with Catches
Catches: On farms or lifestyle blocks, you can either discard the carcass in the paddock or bury it, while on smaller properties, just wrap it in newspaper and toss it with your rubbish.
Safety Tip: Always wear gloves when handling traps and carcasses, and make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
Recording catches: After each check, make sure to record any catches on Trap.Nz. This helps us keep tabs on how well the traps are working and gather valuable data for our community’s pest control efforts. Visit Trap.Nz and register with Predator Free Tamahere’s project to log your results.
If you’re interested in borrowing a Flipping Timmy trap or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy trapping!
