Havahart® Medium 1-Door Animal Trap

I had squirrels and chipmunks eating the ignition wiring of my truck. They had to go. I started with the small trap, and it worked great for chipmunks - I caught four in a short amount of time. I also caught two squirrels, but after that, the trap would sometimes trip with bait gone, sometimes with the bait (peanuts) still there. I figured there might be two problems - (1) the trap was not long enough, and the door would close on the squirrel, who could then wiggle out; or (2) the trip mechanism was too sensitive, and would trip when the squirrel bumped the side of the trap. So I bought a medium trap. This worked great - I caught two squirrels in a short time. But then, the bait (peanuts) would disappear and the trap did not trip. So I put the trap on the deck where I could see it while sitting at my kitchen table. A Blue Jay came and stole a peanut in its beak. Other long-beaked birds, like woodpeckers, could do the same. The Blue Jay even tried to steal the peanuts at the back end of the trap, by sticking its beak through the wire mesh sides of the trap. Then I saw a squirrel standing on the trip plate, munching the peanuts at the back end. Huh? Looking closely, I realized that this was a small juvenile squirrel, and he/she was too light to trip the trip plate. I went back to the small trap, and quickly caught two juvenile delinquents. Now my yard is relatively squirrel-free. Relatively, because there are several billion of them on the planet. Lessons learned: * Squirrels come in different sizes - one size trap may not work for all. * Put your trap in a place where you can observe it - if at all possible. You may be surprised at what goes on. * Blue Jays and other birds can steal peanuts without a trace. Other animals may also. * Don't underestimate squirrels - they're smart little buggers. You have to be smarter. * Don't get disappointed. If it's not working, there's a reason. You just gotta figure out why, and then correct the problem.

This trap has been effective in catching a few rodents soon after setting it. Also, I appreciate the gloves that come with the trap. But a few days after setting it, a raccoon broke the plate off from the cage. a critical part. I had to buy another trap because the first trap was useless without a plate attached to the structural bar below it. I would recommend a stronger and more durable hinge for the plate, instead of bending the plate extensions around the bar beneath it.

In the first three days, I trapped 11 squirrels (so far). Twice, I got two squirrels at the same time. Very simple to use and effective. I got the longer (24 inches) trap to ensure the entire squirrel would be trapped inside. Very satisfied! Only problem are all the trips and the gas I'm buying to relocate the little buggers from my area. LOL!

I’ve had this trap setup for a week to catch a rabbit and no matter where I place the bait the rabbit doesn’t trip it. Very disappointing.

I've had this trap for about 3 weeks and have caught the two problem squirrels in my yard. I baited the trigger with a peanut pushed down in some peanut butter. I put the food right on the trigger mechanism to make the squirrels work a little harder and hopefully spring the trap. After several unsuccessful attempts where the bait was gone but the trap hadn't sprung, I placed a lid from a container in the back of the trap and placed the bait in the lid instead which forced the squirrels to cross over the trigger to get the food. That was the secret for these squirrels.

Trap worked great to catch a raccoon, but be very careful of the door latch. The latch will release the door if the trap tips on its side.

You'd need a 50 lb. Squirrel to trip the mechanism! I've bought 2 of them and they do Not work

The trap was not working as I watched a number of squirrels go in, step on the trigger plate and nothing happened. I had to work on the trigger mechanism by flattening the hitch a bit and add some lithium grease as it was not releasing properly. It still has allowed some of the bait to get taken without tripping. Will work on it more.

Works great. Easy

I bought this trap for my mother's bothersome squirrel problem. I have used the smaller trap for chipmunks and have relocated 7 chipmunks so far this year. It works great!