Servicing Mole Traps

[Froudy 40]

Hi lads,

 

I am just wondering if anyone cleans theyre traps off, I normally wash all mine over once a year in the summer and make sure they are all running right, is there anything you can put on them to stop them rusting?

 

Atb

 

Froudy

[nod 285]

when i take mine out the ground i bang most of the mud off, thats about itonly normally get couple of years out of a trap so they dont tend to go rusty in that time. imo anyway

[Le Braconnier 49]

About every month or so I clean mine and rub the bits that matter with wire wool then check the Duffus types to make sure that they are tripping smoothly. Th Talpex haven't shown any signs of rusting after 6 months virtually in the ground 24/7.

[Matt 160]

Mine get a quick rinse with the pressure washer as soon as they come out of the ground. I work across a wide area with different soil types, and I suspect that the moles can tell a different type of soil in their run. It also means that I'm not trapping moisture on them and helps reduce corrosion.

 

Every year I take each trap individually and check it over and adjust it if required. They then get a quick coat of 'SpeedDip' which lasts all year.

 

[Froudy 40]

Matt I've heard off that speeddip before from someone else, how do you rate it mate?

[Matt 160]

Matt I've heard off that speeddip before from someone else, how do you rate it mate?

 

Fantastic stuff: I've used it for donkey's years.

 

All my traps (rabbit traps & mole traps) get two coats when new, and then an annual dip just to freshen them up. I've heard people panicking about it because it's petrol based, but I've never had a problem providing you air the traps properly.

 

I tend to do mine in July when I'm not trapping much anyway, and then hang them up to dry for a couple of days before bucketing them up in batches.

 

[John Keswick 119]

Dont quote me on it, but i think magnum trap has a supply of trap dip. I dont think its speed dip, something else but its worth a phone call if your after some

[Froudy 40]

Where's the best place to get some Matt?

 

Cheers

 

Froudy

[Matt 160]

Where's the best place to get some Matt?

 

Cheers

 

Froudy

Dont quote me on it, but i think magnum trap has a supply of trap dip. I dont think its speed dip, something else but its worth a phone call if your after some

 

It's a US product that is not easy to get hold of over here.

 

Easy (but messy) to use, you mix the contents of the tin with a gallon of petrol and then dip away. I keep any leftovers in an old petrol can and go through about a tin a year.

 

I think that Fourteenacre gets some occasionally, but Magnum used to have it all the time (see above).

 

A good product that is easy to use and very durable.

 

I have used other stuff (Slippery Creek etc) but never found it as good.

[Froudy 40]

Cheers lads ill have a look

 

Atb

 

Froudy

[Le Braconnier 49]

Of course you could buy stainless traps from Flatpack.

Edited January 21, 2013 by Le Braconnier

[Matt 160]

Of course you could buy stainless traps from Flatpack.

 

At that price? You must be joking.

 

The thing about Speed Dip is that it doesn't just protect them from corrosion, it also has a waxing effect, which helps to speed them up. It also means that every trap gets an annual check over.

[Le Braconnier 49]

They were the same price as galvanised ones when they first came out.

[Matt 160]

£5.88 now compared to £4.28 for a standard one.

 

I buy my traps wholesale anyway, so it's way too much money for me.

 

I also like the finish on the dipped traps - it may just be my imagination, but they seem to work better.

[Le Braconnier 49]

£5.88 now compared to £4.28 for a standard one.

 

I buy my traps wholesale anyway, so it's way too much money for me.

 

I also like the finish on the dipped traps - it may just be my imagination, but they seem to work better.

 

I understand that. But you also have to factor in the life of the trap and time and money spent on tuning and servicing. For example, if you don't get the oxidisation on the trigger parts the trap will work smoothly for longer. If the stainless traps lasted twice as long and didn't need as much maintenance then the initial cost price wouldn't be as much of a pain.

 

I also accept that the only way to know is to try them.