The
KANIA2000 Squirrel Trap
A spring trap requires
Parliamentary approval under The Spring Traps Approval Act before
it can be added to the list of spring traps that can be used in
the UK. Prior to approval the trap must satisfy Parliament it
is humane and to this end undergoes rigorous testing during which
government researchers measure mechanical characteristics such
as velocity, effective mass, clamping and impact forces. Unless
a trap satisfies researchers it exceeds predetermined threshold
guidelines it will not gain approval.
All users must satisfy
themselves they comply with the requirements of the act and traps
must only be set where they will not catch animals other than
those they are being set for. Traps should only be set on land
owned by the person setting them, or where they have permission
from the landowner to do so. Avoid setting them on or near public
footpaths, public rights of way or areas of common land.
The KANIA2000
trap, originally developed in Canada in the early 1980’s
for the fur trade, was approved for use in the UK from 1st March
1993 against mink, grey squirrel, stoat, weasel, rats and mice.
The KANIA2000 is a
self-contained unit, widely considered one of the safest setting
and most humane traps in the world today. This is a selective
trap, very suitable for use by pest controllers in a wide variety
of situations and locations. Its power makes it humane. To fire
this trap the target is in the perfect position for the trap to
kill it instantly. The KANIA2000 is manufactured from galvanised/plated
materials and before use should be thoroughly de-greased and preferably
painted brown or green to make it less visually obtrusive, both
to the target and to casual passers-by etc. When mounted in a
tree it will then look like a bird box to a casual glance. Do
not use household paint because it leaves a strong residual smell.
Use a spray-can of automotive touch-up. The propellant evaporates
very quickly and does not leave a residual smell.
If you wish to test
fire spring traps of any make, do not use hard, rigid materials
such as pieces of wood etc, as this can have a detrimental effect
on trap components and welds etc. Always use a padded item, piece
of rubber or PVC hose etc.
Remember, it is illegal
to release grey squirrel or mink into the wild in the UK.
Either captured alive in a cage trap has to be shot whilst in
the trap or removed from the trap and humanely dispatched, not
an easy task for the untrained. Drowning is NOT a legal option.
The KANIA2000 removes this problem by immediately and humanely
dispatching its catch.
For the best results
when trapping grey squirrels pre-bait for up to a week before
actually setting the trap. This gets all the local squirrels used
to eating at the trap and they loose all fear of it, even if they
see another of their kind dead in it. To pre-bait simply mount
the trap in its intended position, but un-set and place plenty
of bait in and around it.
The spring hanger is a good bait holder for this purpose. Once
the trap is an established feeding position, set it!
A KANIA2000 is the
perfect trap to use in loft spaces for grey squirrel, baited with
peanuts, peanut butter or whatever your favorite attractant happens
to be. This trap is also highly successful for grey squirrels
when set in a tree or on the side of a building. When mounted
over three meters from the ground on the vertical trunk of a tree
this trap becomes very target specific to grey squirrels. Drive
two nails in and suspend the trap by the hanging loops provided.
Ensure the trap is securely fixed and will not wobble when entered.
Stability is important and some trappers stabilize using bungee
cords, large washers fitting over the base lip secured by screws,
cable ties etc. Do not bend the nails over or use staples. Remember,
the trap needs to be easily taken down to remove a catch and reset.
Always remove nails on completion.
Under no circumstances should this trap be used in areas where
there are red squirrels.
For mink, set the trap
on the ground near water and place a handful of sand or dirt on
the floor of the trap to act as camouflage as well as providing
a more attractive walking surface for the intended target. Place
bait from the trigger side so that it is in front of the screen
and scatter some feathers, preferably light colored ones, around
and in the trap to act as a sight attractant. The trap should
then be covered and the entrance protected using “at hand”
materials such as brash, bracken, grass etc.
The above information
is for guidance only. Always ensure traps are correctly used and
set in accordance with current legislation, properly protected
and beyond the reach of non-target species. Always check set traps
at least once a day.
SETTING
THE KANIA2000 TRAP
WARNING
- BEFORE PICKING UP AND HANDLING A TRAP ALWAYS CHECK THAT IT IS
NOT SET
1. Place
the trap on the ground and hold it down with your foot or knee.
Unhook the outer arm of the torsion spring from its hook/catch
situated just above the trap entrance.
2.
This done pick up the trap, undo the swing catch on the access
panel to the left of the trap (looking at it from the front) and
remove the panel, it will lift out.
3.
If you wish to place bait or scent attractant behind the mesh
panel, or elsewhere inside the trap body, do so now.
4. Push strike
bar/internal spring to the back of trap behind the “dog”
which is a heavy wire that hangs down from trigger assembly:
5.With the strike bar/internal spring arm held against the roof,
lift the dog upwards, thus trapping the spring and fit the end
of the dog into the blind hole in the trigger suspension arm.
The strike bar/internal spring is now held against the trap roof:
6. The trap is now primed but not finally cocked/set.
7. Re-fit the side panel/door and lock back into position:
8. Place the trap back on the ground/floor, as in instruction
No.1 and reset the outer spring arm into its hook/catch:
9: The trap is now cocked/set:
10. If the trap is being set on a tree or side of house/building,
then use the trap hanging loops and hang it from two nails/screws.
Do not try to set/un-set the trap while on tree or building –
always set/cock trap while on ground/floor:
Traps need
to be stable. Animals are reluctant to enter unstable traps.
IMPORTANT
SAFETY NOTE
This trap is probably the most powerful spring trap on the UK
market. Its power and the precision with which it kills also makes
it very humane. Under no circumstances allow body parts past the
trap entrance once set. This trap has the power to break the bones
in the in a human hand!
Always correctly position and protect
your spring traps from non-target species. Regularly check traps
in accordance with current legislation and risk-assess potential
sites to avoid accidents.
