How to Reset and Rebait a Humane Animal Trap

Animal Tips & Tricks, Video January 1, 2014 Vito Brancato Off 3045

Wildlife Control Technician Graham Olson at ABC Wildlife in Arlington Heights, Ill., demonstrates how to reset and rebait a humane animal trap.

The purpose of this video is to show how to reset and rebait a typical humane animal trap. To set the trap:

First, lift the safety at the top of the trap.
Then push the lower bar towards the back of the cage, bringing two pieces of the door together.
Use the hook on the door to lift the door up to the top of the cage.
With the door in an upright position, move the hook forward and rest the door on the hook.

To set the bait for the trap:

Wrap bait (such as liverwurst) in aluminum foil.
Place the bait in the cage behind the foot pedal.
Feed the foil through the bottom of the cage and secure it to the cage, which will ensure the animals can’t get the bait

For most raccoons and other carnivores, use meat or something with a strong smell as bait. For most rodents, peanut butter works best. For skunks, try something sweet.

That is how you rebait a trap.

About the author /

Vito Brancato

What They Say About ABC Humane Wildlife

I arranged for them to install wire screening on 2 sides of a concrete stoop to prevent animals from digging under my porch. (I have used this company in the past to remove animals from other parts of my property. They suggested this proactive work.) They called to remind me several days before their appointment. They came as promised. They did a great job of preserving landscaping gravel on the side before they dug. After digging down approximately 18 inches, they installed wire mesh screening down the 2 sides of the stoop. They then covered the area with the dirt and final layer of landscaping stones. You couldn’t even tell the area had been excavated when they were done!

Debra Walker – Downers Grove, IL

We had bees crawling under exterior siding through a gap between siding and brick wall and wanted them eliminated. Phil the technician from ABC arrived at the scheduled time. He observed the bees and identified them as yellow jackets. Phil said he could eradicate them with a powder treatment and the bee activity would die down in a couple of days and we would be finished with the problem. Phil said if we still noticed bee activity after 7 days to call ABC and they would come back to re-treat the nest at no charge. It is just 3 days since Phil treated the nest and we have observed zero bee activity. We are very happy with the service and the remedy to our problem.

Elizabeth Monahan – Chicago, IL

One by one, they removed a family of nine flying squirrels from our attic. The attic was completely cleaned and sanitized, and new insulation as blown in. All went well. It was easy to make appointments with ABC Humane Wildlife Control, and they were all very profession and prompt with their service. We dealt with many on their staff while trying to catch all the squirrels, and each of the representatives were friendly and helpful. We had some issues with the condition of some of the traps, but that was eventually resolved. They are a very helpful organization and the staff is very knowledgeable.

Martha Buchan – Lincolnshire, IL