Traps & Bait

This page covers the common trapping and bait options used or supported locally by Predator Free Tamahere. There isn’t one “best” option for every property — what suits you depends on the pests you’re seeing or hearing, your property, your budget and how often you want to check traps.

If you’re not sure what you need, start with Getting Started or Contact us for practical local advice.

As a general guide:

  • Rats around the house, shed, compost, or your chickens: T-Rex or Victor rat traps

  • If possums are your priority: Flipping Timmy possum traps

  • Larger gullies, river edges or hard-to-check areas: AT220 traps may be useful

  • Stoats, ferrets and weasels: contact us about DOC200 options

Want to see what traps PFT currently sells, lends or offers on trial? See our trap options →

For broader lifestyle block advice, see Predator Free NZ’s lifestyle block predator control guide.

If you’re already trapping and want to improve your setup, visit Already Trapping.

Traps & Bait

  • Snapper T-Rex trap with open and closed bases on a white background.

    T-Rex Rat Traps

    A simple, low-cost option for rat control around homes, gardens, sheds and compost areas is a T-Rex rat trap used inside a protective wooden tunnel.

    Buy one: T-Rex rat trap + locally made wooden tunnel — $25.
    How to buy & collect →

    How to use it: Placement, baiting, safe setting and troubleshooting.
    T-Rex setup & trapping tips →

  • A young boy standing on a forest trail, smiling, with a yellow trap box attached to a tree and a small possum hanging from it. The boy is wearing a blue shirt, shorts, and boots, and is giving a thumbs-up.

    Flipping Timmy Possum Traps

    A straightforward option for ongoing possum control.

    Borrow one: Tamahere residents can borrow a Flipping Timmy trap free of charge, thanks to Waikato Regional Council. 

    Contact us to check availability.

    How to use it: Flipping Timmy setup, baiting and trapping tips →

  • A live AT220 trap attached to a tree trunk, intended for capturing small pest animals, with a metal wire cage and a wooden mounting board.

    AT220 Possum & Rat Traps

    Best suited to larger lifestyle blocks, gullies, river edges and areas that are difficult to access regularly.
    The AT220 automatically resets after each kill and can target rats, mice and possums. It is particularly useful where frequent trap checking is difficult.

    How to Get: Local trappers connected with Predator Free Tamahere may be able to access a small AT220 discount. Standard pricing applies if you order directly online. For suitable larger blocks, gullies, river edges and hard-to-check areas, we may also be able to offer a 2–3 month AT220 trial before you buy. Contact us to find out more.

    How to use it: AT220 setup, checking and maintenance tips →

  • A white plastic bait box mounted on a tree trunk outdoors, with moss and fallen leaves on the ground.

    Bait & Bait Stations

    Bait stations can be useful when rat numbers are high, on larger properties, or where maintaining enough traps is difficult.

    Always use toxic bait in a secure bait station and follow the product label.

    Choosing a bait station: station types, placement and maintenance →
    Pulse baiting for rat control: bait choices, timing and safe use →

    How to Get: Available from hardware and farm-supply shops or specialist online suppliers.

    Not sure what suits your property? Contact us for practical local advice.

  • A wooden box trap with a metal spring mechanism, an egg, and a few small pieces inside, placed on green grass.

    DOC200 Traps

    Suitable for rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets. Available as a short-term loan (up to 3 months) for suitable properties.

    How to Get: Tamahere residents can borrow a DOC200 trap for free, thanks to our generous sponsors. Contact us to see if you qualify.

    How to Use: DOC200 setup & maintenance tips →

  • A humane A24 trap attached to a tree in a forest, with a battery inside, designed for capturing small animals humanely.

    A24 Rat & Mice Traps

    Suitable for rat and mouse control in some situations. Consider your pest problem, property and ongoing lure/canister costs before choosing a self-resetting rat trap.

    How to Get: Order via Goodnature or check out their local stockists here

    How to Use: A24 setup & maintenance tips →

  • A metal live animal trap with a door on one end and a sliding door on top, used for catching small animals.

    Live Catch Cage Traps

    How to Get: Waikato District Council has live catch traps available for hire. To hire one, visit the Tamahere WDC office hub (first floor by the Tamahere pharmacy) or call the WDC Animal Control Unit at 0800 492 452

    How to Use: Live-catch trap tips →

  • Two rabbits grazing on grass in a natural outdoor setting with green foliage in the background.

    Rabbit Control

    We totally understand that wild rabbits can be a challenging problem. Rabbit control isn’t our main focus, but we’ve linked some useful advice here. Rabbit-control tips →