Fenn Trap Signal

[Roge 0]

I made my first trap tunnel and caught my first rat thanks to the advice on this forum.

 

I would like to put out a few more as I know that rats are moving in because of my hens etc.

 

Can anyone let me know how to make a signal or indicator that will tell me without opening the tunnel that it has gone off. This would save me a lot of time and mean I didn't have to keep opening the tunnels to check.

 

Thanks again

 

R

[moxy 617]

Drill a 10 mm hole in the side of your tunnel close to where the open jaws of your trap are set. Tie a piece of string. Bailing twine etc etc to one of the trap jaws and post it through the hole. The string only needs enough length to just get through the tunnel. Say 10 mm poking out

When the trap is set off your string indicator will be pulled through the hole. Simple and it won't impede the trap

[Roge 0]

Thanks for the reply, will try this now.

 

R

[Roge 0]

Anyone got any other ideas?

 

The twine idea is a bit fiddly.

 

Not happy that I still have not caught the rat under my hen house after a week!

 

R

[moxy 617]

Why not try and extend the twine? And put a mark on it. If your finding it fiddly.

 

 

Put a swivel or sliding peep hole on the top of the tunnel

[j j m 6,539]

well done bud

[heritage 202]

Why not just change the tunnel design so it incorporates a hinged lid ?

[heritage 202]

Why not just hinge a small section of the tunnels lid..., this means you could check, remove or adjust the trap without disturbing the tunnel.... I think in the long run it will be quicker than. Attaching some sort of indicator....atb

[JohnGalway 1,043]

VERY light weight flag on a VERY lightweight stick. Hinge the stick on the bottom of the side of the box, tie your string from the jaw to the flagpole. When the jaws shut, the flag should rise up. But, the whole thing needs to be feather weight - in fact a feather in a drinking straw maybe might be better! - so as not to interfere with the operation of the trap.

Edited November 16, 2012 by JohnGalway

[nod 285]

if string is too hard to mess about with just use a cable tie, cut it too the required length

[Roge 0]

The hinged lid is a good idea and is fine for me as at this time I only have one of my five traps out at present.

 

I had thought that somone inspecting load of traps on a daily basis would want a signal so they didnt have to take the time to open each tunnel and also to minimise handling.

 

Not sure about the feather on the drinking straw idea but the cable tie is worth a try.

 

Thanks for all your help.

 

R

[The one 8,477]

You can make the tunnels a little taller cut a bit of wood to place in the roof section of the tunnel without impeding the trap drill two holes in the roof of the trap tunnel fit two screws threw the roof of the trap tunnel and into the bit of wood you have cut wrap the threaded bit of the screws with electrical tape and when the trap fires it lifts the wood showing the coloured tape on the screws . You dont need to walk right up to the trap to see them and theres no bending unless the traps fired and you need to reset it

[Roge 0]

Could you possible post a photo as I cant understand what you mean.

 

Thanks R

[FENN 24]

Fix a small piece perspex to the top of the box then you will be able to see inside the box when you walk past