The #110 body grip trap is an effective little gem for targeting several different species. I have used them for 50 years exclusively in blind trail/run sets for muskrat, mink, barn rats, squirrels and rabbits.

Many muskrat trappers put some kind of "bait" impaleed on the trigger wires with a variety of attractants, namely things like pieces of apple, parsnip, potato, turnip, carrot, orange, cattail tubers, cobbed corn, etc. - often with an additional lure of some flavor on the morsels when not set underwater.

After talking with T-man member Yoteguts last year, and again just the other day, about baited #110's for muskrats, his unique method gave me an idea for squirrel trapping under the right conditions.

He gave me permission to use his photo of the BMI #55 for illustrating this post. His #110's are set up the same way. He drills one hole in a plastic bottle cap, threads the trigger wires through it, bending the ends over to secure the cap - packed with peanut butter for bait!!

Here is the product of his effort - a double.



Using his basic idea, I decided to modify it a little and adapt it for squirrels at my platform bird feeder on an experimental trial basis. Instead of the bottle cap, I poked two holes in the bottom of a plastic medicine cup, poked the wires through it and filled it with peanut butter. I didn't bend the wires over, as it was secure enough for my intent.

The Basic Unit With Cup







The trap is set and stabilized with the jaws straddling the wooden sill under the suet cage. I have my trail camera set up in video mode in hopes to document any action at this precision "location."





I found this technique most unique and interesting enough to share as a stimulant for the #110 trapper's idea factory for this or a similar application.

Will report later on how well it works on the invasive squirrels.

Any ideas, comments and experiences baiting #110 triggers will be most welcomed additions to this thread. Thank you.

Jonathan

Good Idea Jonathan ... I also use this metheod for mink by putting a small fish on the wires. Works especially well after freeze up. ..... Garry-

Kind of an interesting idea. With your cup upside down ... that bait is pretty well waterproof (have to be a thick bait though).

I'm thinking you are kind of liking that new game camera. ;-) I bought one this year, for trapping as well. Interesting what you learn watching a video of a critter actually working your sets.

Ed, My thinking with that cup placement was that maybe the squirrels would have to work more to get at the peanut butter, possibly increasing chances for a solid catch.

If that "cup" is too flimsy and doesn't work out too well with the peanut butter in for the squirrels, I'm going to spear 1/2 of a black walnut shell and crimp it on the trigger.

Had to chuckle about your trail camera comment. I was addicted and married to the thing for almost a solid week until finally figuring it out and mastering all of its menu functions. It was a day and night check thing, constantly running in and out downloading pictures to see if I had programmed the darn thing right.

Jonathan

A short (2-3 inch) piece of dry corn cob smeared with Sunbutter (sunflower seed butter) and impaled on the trigger wires works well too. http://www.sunbutter.com/

I have had wonderful luck using an english sparrow on the trigger wires for weasel. I have very poor luck using a baited trigger for muskrats, LOTS of fired empty traps!

Caught one squirrel and missed another one this morning with my new Peanut Butter Cup #110 Set. The cup stayed on the trigger and did not crack or break. From the sign left inside the cup from the impressions and markings in the soft peanut butter, it was obvious the squirrel reached under to get at the prize by the toe and claw prints left in it.

Peanut butter for bait in some form is as attractive as black sunflower seeds are for those tree rats.

That was a fun and rewarding trapping experiment.

Jonathan

I do something similar for Grey Squirrel, when I realized the "Trap Pans" were too big for 110's. I take a square piece of Styrofoam and wire it to the trigger wires, and then slather on my peanut butter. Works great...

Jethrowe, With that styrofoam trigger modification, did you set the trap horizontally, or vertically as one would normally do when placing a #110?

I have caught at least 100 grey squirrels in #110's laying flat on the ground with a handful of black sunflower seeds under the slightly spread trigger wires.

Jonathan

Do you get many hip-catches when you lay it flat Jonathan?

Livetrap, No, never once. They all have been frontal neck/shoulder catches.

Jonathan

Impressive!

that is a great idea, definitely rigging some up tomorrow

Livetrap, If you think that is "impressive", which is normal to me for a #110 squirrel catch, check this out.

This is a first for me - having a #1-1/2 long decide it wanted to grow up to be a body grip trap instead of a foothold. This was a first for me - ever!

Caught this one Saturday. The trap was set in the bird feeder behind the #110 with the peanut butter cup on the trigger. I set it on the inside corner where they enter the feeder. I just sprinkled about a 1/2 cup of black sunflower seed between the jaws, around the pan, but not on it. And...........the rest is history.

Jonathan

I used clear plastic tubing with about 1/2" OD over the two trigger wires of 110's for Franklins ground squirrels. I used a paste type bait that I make with a prune base. Just slide the tube over trigger wires and fill with bait. I also used it under the pan of 1 1/2 long spring victors with the cut out V with good luck.

So you put a bird feeder up and don't expect to have squirrels?

Why kill them if they aren't damaging your house or something?

they need to eat too...

michael

They need to be controlled like everything else Michael.
Did a squirrel job recently neighbor s were feeding the squirrels my client was not.....literally dozens of squirrels in the area.

Michael, Will have to agree to some extent. I honor a squirrel's place in the food chain, as any other creature, with a need to eat - just not at my expense with the price of bird seed these days.

Jonathan

plus they taste good fried with some gravy and taters

Careful, you may also catch woodpeckers with that type of setup.