Squirrels / Rats eating up your fruit? — A18 trap now available in USA

[Epicatt2]

I just discovered that the Goodnature Squirrel trap  (model A18) for gray squirrels and rats
is now available for sale in the US from Automatic Trap Co. in California.

It is $249 normally, but as of this writing is on sale for $199.00.  I just ordered one in the
hope that I might get to eat some avocadoes off my tree this coming season.  Trap was
delivered to me in Florida from Cal. in about three days, very well packed, complete and
ready to use (free shipping, too). However you wlll need to get peanut butter or hazelnut
butter to bait the trap with.

Here's a link:
https://www.automatictrap.com/products/a18-squirrel-trap-kit

BTW, I have no monetary interest in mentioning this item.  It just looks to be humane and
effective.

OK — HTH

Paul M.
==

[Greater Good]

Would be beneficial if they had a video showing how it works. Nice marketing,  but I'm skeptical before I plop down my cash. Let us know if it meets your expectations.

My neighbor has an intensive rat control program. Squirrels take .more than their fair share of  mangoes and avocados in my garden.

[Epicatt2]

Yes there is a vid showing how the trap works.

Check here which is perhaps not for the tender-hearted (be advised), but a quick and humane dispatch:

A18 Grey Squirrel Trap in Action - Apr/May 2020 - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0TVShiAC4

Here's unboxing the received item:

Goodnature A18 Squirrel Trap - YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4Q1CaImquI

OK — HTH

Paul M.
==

[spaugh]

Let us know if you get some squirrels with it. 

[SHV]

Hey, that’s a pretty cool solution.  In my area, you wouldn’t even need to pickup the dead squirrel.  Coyotes would pick it up in 24 hours. 
I get ground squirrels but eliminate them pretty quickly with Conibear traps.  They are not very humane but 100% effective.  Unfortunately, if I don’t check the trap frequently, coyotes will steal the trap with the captured squirrel, even if I stake the trap. 

[K-Rimes]

$200 buys a lot of smaller simple traps. I've seen a few people use those gas piston type traps, some with good success, but I go for volume trapping when an issue comes up. I can nail a gopher in less than a day with 4-6 traps out, but they used to evade me for weeks when I was only working with 1-2. If I see a mouse or rat causing issues, I put down 20 traps and they may set off and not be killed by 3-4 in a row, but nailed on the 5th.

[Seanny]

Any messes inside trap?

[Epicatt2]

Any messes inside trap?

No there aren't any messes in this trap; gravity takes care of that. 

When you watch the video you'll understand.

HTH

Paul M.
==

[seng]

I looked at some of the videos.  The traps looked effective.  However, at $200 and the recurring cost of refilling the air capsoles, that are steep.

Simple Victor traps are effective for me at $2.  However, it rusts extremely fast.  Someone need to make galvanized traps to compete with Victor.

Imagine, company like dewalt, milwaukee, makita, ryobi, ridgid, etc... get into this business?  Price will drop like hell. 

[spaugh]

Hey, that’s a pretty cool solution.  In my area, you wouldn’t even need to pickup the dead squirrel.  Coyotes would pick it up in 24 hours. 
I get ground squirrels but eliminate them pretty quickly with Conibear traps.  They are not very humane but 100% effective.  Unfortunately, if I don’t check the trap frequently, coyotes will steal the trap with the captured squirrel, even if I stake the trap.

What kind of bait are you using?  I put bird seed out in a live trap but the mice eat it all at night and the squirrels dont go for it. 

[SHV]

No bait.  Just put the trap over their hole and when they run through it from either side, they trip the trigger in the trap, 💥, dead squirrel.  Those dumb ground squirrels don’t even try to avoid the trap or the lever holding the trap open. 

[Epicatt2]

I looked at some of the videos.  The traps looked effective.  However, at $200 and the recurring cost of refilling the air capsoles, that are steep.

Yes, the price is a bit 'up there' but the traps do stay clean and remain
empty afterwards because the squirrel falls to the ground, afterwards.
Traps are mounted about 4 feet above the ground on a tree trunk or
on a pole.

As to the CO2 cartridges, they're each one good for 30 strikes so that
somewhat mitigates the price.  They don't run out of 'steam' until those
30 strikes have occured.  And since each strike represents a quick, clean
kill, the number of squirrels gradually goes down to that the cartridges do
not have to be replaced so frequently, as time goes on.

And the bait in the bait well only needs to be changed after it becomes
stale and no longer appetizing/attractive.

I also really like that fact that these traps reset for the next squirrel after
each strike.

OK  — HTH

Paul M.
==

[Calusa]

Not to derail but has anyone had success with keeping squirrels from ruining mangos using these?

https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un9.html?subj=goods-un&_bg_fs=1&_p_jump_id=894&_x_vst_scene=adg&goods_id=601099519061850&sku_id=17592227019982&adg_ctx=a-4c3d5514~c-f4c152cb~f-fb6ccdb8&_x_ads_sub_channel=shopping&_p_rfs=1&_x_ns_prz_type=-1&_x_ns_sku_id=17592227019982&mrk_rec=1&_x_ads_channel=google&_x_gmc_account=647900107&_x_login_type=Google&_x_ads_account=1919904652&_x_ads_set=20591197330&_x_ads_id=154800131918&_x_ads_creative_id=675151886824&_x_ns_source=g&_x_ns_gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYr092wILAv7yycmCRHs1FakSBj1w9sldaAsbWLanTrDeOJJ-VqeGlxoCTyIQAvD_BwE&_x_ns_placement=&_x_ns_match_type=&_x_ns_ad_position=&_x_ns_product_id=17592227019982&_x_ns_target=&_x_ns_devicemodel=&_x_ns_wbraid=CjgKCAiAy9msBhBXEigARrOh8egRzpYdz2rQDm_is1Cpl2-5zfVVbX63OXao-BjC1LbSmX7fGgKjGg&_x_ns_gbraid=0AAAAAo4mICFFoPwB-enq-9W-P96bbIKYi&_x_ns_targetid=pla-2205534861544&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t6sBhAiEiwAsaieYr092wILAv7yycmCRHs1FakSBj1w9sldaAsbWLanTrDeOJJ-VqeGlxoCTyIQAvD_BwE

[K-Rimes]

They are elegant and a cool tech, there is no doubt, I would love to buy one I admit it... It's just hard for me to spend that much. Luckily for me there are so many acorns around that squirrels don't mess with my fruit!

[K-Rimes]

Not to derail but has anyone had success with keeping squirrels from ruining mangos using these?

Rodents will chew through those in seconds if they are  determined. They're great for bugs though, I use them for black fig fly protection of figs.

The only sure fire way I've found to not have rodent issues is eliminating them and reducing their population.