This trap is made with vinyl coated 16 gauge galvanized steel so that it will last the distance and cause minimal damage to trapped birds whilst in the cage.
Tips from someone who traps!
- Placing the trap on a freshly cut lawn is usually best, though any area that you see the birds
frequenting will work, preferably in an area with plenty of high overlooking perches like a fence, roof gutter, powerline or trees. - Place a few pellets of pet food on the top of the shade cloth to attract birds onto the trap. I strongly recommend using Whiskas dry cat food (in the purple bag), but if the birds are already coming for your pet's food, just use what you have.
- Place one or two pallets of pet food on the plastic strip in the entry tunnels, 4-5 pieces on the top of the shade cloth and drop a handful of pet food onto the bait plate. It's OK for a bit to spill outside, they will that and then start looking for a way in to access the rest.
- Once you catch a bird, make sure there is water in the container in the holding pen, and drop some of the pet food into the holding pen. Keep at least one of the trapped birds in the trap for the next day, making sure they are fed and watered so that they sing and attract other Indian Mynas in the area to the trap. One bird can turn into more than a dozen in the trap in one day.
- You will need to drop more bait on the plate every 3 or so birds that enter the trap, otherwise other birds will come in response to the trap birds singing but they won't enter the trap. Don't wait for nighttime to rebait, just drop some more on the bait plate. Birds hanging around the area will get right back on to the trap soon after you leave.
- Be patient, sometimes you get birds on the first day you put the trap out, sometimes it can take over a week. Don't constrict the spikes on the entries, it will deter the birds from fully entering, once they've fully entered they usually can't find their way out. Only Indian Mynas will make it into the back holding pen via the funnel. Other birds caught will remain in the entry box and can be released by opening the lid on top of the entry box using the two green wire ties.
- The trap boxes are joined by three green garden wires, undo them if you need to separate the boxes to dispatch the birds e.g. if gassing them in the cage using exhaust fumes and a large plastic bag. You may wish to reconnect the boxes using bulldog clips which can be more easily removed next time.