In this article I will discuss how to properly clean and store a Havahart Live Catch Trap. Havahart Live Animal Traps are in my opinion the best live catch traps on the market but like anything else they require basic maintenance to perform at their best and to ensure the longevity of the trap.
After releasing the animal back into the wild (Discussed in a future article) you should immediately clean the trap and prepare it for the next use. First remove any leftover bait, animal droppings, hair or other residue. No sense in trying to clean the trap until all evidence of the animal has been removed from the live catch trap.
The best way to clean your trap is to simply hose it down with fresh water and wipe it down. You may use a mild, preferably unscented detergent if desired. Just be certain to hose all of the detergent off the trap to remove any leftover smell. Detergents and soaps that have a strong smell can potentially scare away animals.
Next wipe the Havahart Live Catch Trap dry with an unscented cloth. Most any old rag, dish cloth or towel will do as long as there is no scent on the cloth. After drying the live animal trap take a moment to check the trap itself for damage. Be sure to check all catch and release mechanisms. No live catch trap will work well if any part of it is bent or works roughly.
I do not recommend lubricating the trap. While it may make sense to do so the scent left by common lubricants may scare away the next animal you will try to catch. If you use any lubricant I recommend a light coating of vegetable oil or other food based lubricant. Do not use oil based lubricants.
Now you are ready to store the trap. The best way of storing the Havahart Live Catch Trap is in its original box. If the box is not available or is damaged then simply storing the trap in a dry location will suffice. If the trap must be stored without the box I recommend hanging the trap on a wall or placing it on a shelf to prevent damage. Never store the trap in a damp environment. Basements and crawl spaces are a definitely not the place to store the Live Animal Trap. Any moisture or humidity can cause the trap to rust over time and will shorten the longevity of the trap.
As we are in the autumn season and small animals such as Chipmunks and Squirrels will be searching for food sources and nesting places for the winter I’d like to make a recommendation on a good trap for relocating these animals.
The Havahart 0745 Live Animal Trap is wonderful to use around the house or in the garden to capture and relocate these animals without harming them. This single door trap is easy to set and I have had good success in capturing and relocating squirrels around my house with this trap.
Thanks for reading and look for the next article on Havahart Live Catch Traps in the near future.Buford Mccormick
Buford Mccormick
Related Trapping Articles