Pest and predator control is an integral part of conservation and wildlife management.  It is necessary to reduce predation and damage to acceptable levels, particularly at vulnerable times of the year such as the nesting season.  It is the responsibility of all those involved in pest and predator control to ensure their methods are legal, humane and carried out with sensitivity and respect for other countryside users.

There are two types of trap commonly used for the control of mammalian pests and predators.  Spring traps (consisting of a trigger plate and some form of jaws) and cage traps (live catchers).  Box traps and multi-catch drop traps are occasionally used.  These are either wooden or metal boxes with a trapdoor for the capture of rabbits, stoats, weasels, rats and mice.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Section 11 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985  Article 12 it is illegal to:

* set in position any trap calculated to cause bodily injury to any wild animal included in Schedule 6.

Schedule 6 includes, badger*, pine marten*, otter*, red squirrel*, wild cat*, polecat and hedgehog.

*Note: pine marten, otter, red squirrel and wild cat are also listed in Schedule 5 of the Act and the Order and are therefore fully protected.  The badger and its sett are also protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992.  Wild cat and polecat are excluded from the Order.

* Under Section 11, if any person (e.g. an employer) knowingly causes or permits an act, which is unlawful, then he shall also be guilty of an offence.

The wild cat (Felis sylvestris) is totally protected and must not be confused with the domestic cat (Felis catus).

OTHER LEGISLATION

Under the Pest Act 1954 Section 8 and the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972 Article 21, it is an offence, in respect of any animal, to use or permit the use of:

* an unapproved spring trap (e.g. a gin trap which is a form of spring trap with toothed jaws, banned in 1958).

* an approved trap in unapproved circumstances (e.g. a Fenn trap placed on a pole to catch birds of prey).

* to sell, offer for sale or possess any spring trap for such an unlawful purpose.

Selling or possessing traps for display purposes is not illegal.

Section 8 does not apply to break-back traps designed and used to catch small mammals (e.g. rats and mice) or the type commonly used for taking moles in their runs as these are made an exception under the Small Ground Vermin Traps Order 1958.

The Protection of Animals Act 1911 Section 10,  Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act 1912 Section 9 and the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act  1972 Article 21, state that:

* where spring traps are used, they should be inspected at reasonable intervals and at least once every day between sunrise and sunset.  Failure to do so is an offence.

Domestic cats and dogs
Domestic cats and dogs can be classed as property under the Theft and Criminal Damage Acts or equivalent legislation in Scotland and consequently it could be an offence to set traps intentionally or recklessly to kill or injure these or other domestic animals.

Feral cats
The domestic cat and feral cat are one and the same animal - Felis catus.  The family pet is classed as the personal property of its owner and any unjustified control may lead to prosecution.  Although the cat's owner cannot be held liable for its actions, they could sue for damages should their cat come to any harm or go missing.

Feral cats are prolfic killers of nesting birds.  If it can be shown that they have bred or are living in the wild then they may be humanely despatched.

Baiting
Non poisonous bait can be used in traps, but if, through  being placed near an adjoining field, it attracts domestic animals which would not otherwise have been likely to have entered the land, and those animals are injured or destroyed, then the person  setting the trap could be liable to pay compensation and possibly prosecuted under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

Cage-traps (Live catchers)
Cage-traps come in various sizes, depending on the target species.  All are basically a box constructed of wire mesh with one or two open ends.  The doors are triggered by a foot plate or hook from which a bait may be suspended.

* Cage traps can be used to take any animal which is not protected e.g.fox.

* Cage traps should be inspected at least once every day and target animals despatched quickly and humanely and the body disposed of responsibly e.g. by incineration or burial.

* Any non-target species must be released unharmed.

Under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 Section 11 and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 Article 12 , if any person uses a decoy, for the purpose of killing or taking any wild animal, any live mammal or bird whatever they shall be guilty of an offence.

Under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 and the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972 Article 21, it is illegal to:

* mutilate, kick, beat, nail, impale, stab, burn, stone, crush, drag, drown or asphyxiate any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering.

The Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 does not apply to lawful pest control or humane dispatch of injured mammals.  Unlawful use may include trespassing or acting without the consent of the landowner.

Remember

Every effort must be made to avoid the capture of non-target species.  Knowledge of the tracks, trails and signs of both target and non-target species is essential.

* BASC recommends that the entrance to tunnel traps should be restricted at both ends to prevent the capture of non-target species.

* Traps must be firmly anchored.

* The law requires traps to be inspected at least once every day.  BASC recommends inspection at least twice a day and as soon after dawn as is practicable.

* The displaying of carcasses serves no useful purpose and  may offend other countyside users.  Carcasses should be either incinerated or deeply  buried.

* Avoid setting traps on or near public footpaths, public rights of way, areas of common land used by persons exercising domestic animals, or in the vicinity of houses.

* Never set traps on land where livestock are grazing.

* Weil's disease is a serious and sometimes fatal infection that is transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats. The bacteria can get into your body through cuts and scratches. To prevent infection wear protective gloves when trapping.

SPRING TRAPS

Listed below are the approved spring traps and their conditions of use as set out under the Spring Traps Approval Orders 1995.  In Northern Ireland they are covered by  the Spring Traps Approval Order (Northern Ireland) 1996.  In Scotland they are covered by the Spring Trap Approval Order (Scotland) 1996.

Approved Spring Traps

Type of Trap                                       Conditions of Use killing or taking of:

Aldrich Spring-activated Animal                 large, non-indigenous, mammalian                          
Snares                                                  carnivores

BMI Magnum 55                                     rats, mice and other small ground vermin.*

BMI Magnum 110                                    grey squirrels, stoats, weasels. rats mice
Fenn Vermin Trap Mk I,                           and other small ground vermin.*
II, III, IV and Springer 4
Lloyd Trap                                                       
Sawyer Trap
Victor Conibear 110-2

BMI Magnum 116                                     grey squirrels, mink, rabbits, stoats,
Fenn Mk VI and                                       weasels,rats, mice and other small
Springer 6                                               ground vermin.*
Victor Conibear 120-2

Fenn Rabbit Mk I                                     rabbits and set in natural or artificial 
                                                            tunnel which is, suitable for the purpose.

Fuller Trap                                              grey squirrels and fitted with an artificial 
                                                             tunnel which is suitable for the purpose.

Imbra Trap Mk I & Mk II                            grey squirrels, rabbits, stoats, weasels, Juby Trap rats, mice and 
                                                             other small ground vermin.*

Kania Trap 2000                                      grey squirrels, mink, stoats, weasels, 
                                                            rats, mice and other small ground vermin 
                                                                    
                                                           *(except those species listed in Schedule 
                                                            5 and 6 of the Wildlife & Countryside 
                                                            Act 1981) and set in a natural or artificial 
                                                            tunnel which is, suitable for the purpose.

With the exception of the Aldrich trap all spring traps must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for the purpose. It is an offence to set any spring trap in the open.

Additional spring traps approved for use in England only.

The following 7 traps have been added to the approved spring traps order effective from 1^st October 2007 - ‘The Spring Traps Approval (Variation) (England) Order 2007’.

A pdf version of the ‘Variation’ can be found at the following link:

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/uksi_20072708_en.pdf

 

Trap	Used for
DOC 150 DOC 200. DOC 250	grey squirrels, rats, stoats and weasels. The trap must be set in the tunnel provided by the manufacturer of the trap for use in the UK and must be used in accordance with the instructions (if any) provided by the manufacturer.
Kania Trap 2500	edible dormice (glis glis)[1], grey squirrels, mice, mink, rabbits, rats, stoats and weasels. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of injuring or killing non-target species whilst not compromising the capture and killing of target species.
Nooski.	Rats. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of injuring or killing non-target species whilst not compromising the capture and killing of target species.
Solway Spring Trap Mk 4	edible dormice (glis glis)[1], grey squirrels, mice, rats, stoats and weasels. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of injuring or killing non-target species whilst not compromising the capture and killing of target species.
Solway Spring Trap Mk 6	edible dormice (glis glis)[1], grey squirrels, mice, mink, rabbits, rats, stoats and weasels. The trap must be set in a natural or artificial tunnel which is suitable for minimising the chances of injuring or killing non-target species whilst not compromising the capture and killing of target species."

This Order varies the Spring Traps Approval Order 1995 ("the 1995 Order") in relation to England only.

[1] – Edible Dormice (glis glis) -  See, however, section 11(2)(b) of, and Schedule 6 to, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (c.69). By virtue of those provisions, whether or not the trap in question is approved by this Order, it is an offence to use any trap for the purpose of taking or killing any dormouse, except pursuant to a licence granted by the appropriate authority under section 16 of that Act.  

When trapping near water always check for any signs of otter activity, such as;

* Otter tracks (footprints).

* A regular feeding place such as a rock in midstream, which will be recognised by assorted food remains such as fish bones.

* Otters have regular sites where they deposit their droppings or spraints.

* If in doubt do not set a trap!

Avian Pests and Predators:

Please refer to the BASC's Trapping Pest Birds - A Code of Practice.