The TerraTrap GS system is primarily designed to trap California Ground Squirrels, but it has also proven effective for catching rats and mice.

A dirt bath helps reduce squirrel apprehension. Rubbing dirt from surrounding areas and even directly from burrows onto the trap helps it smell natural and can transfer squirrel pheromones and urine, making the trap feel more comfortable and familiar to them.

With proper setup, squirrels can show activity within a day or two, sometimes even within hours. Most pre-feeding is complete within 3-4 days, allowing the trap to be armed with A18.

The trench is crucial for several reasons:

• It ensures the tunnel is large enough for all squirrels to enter comfortably.
• It allows the squirrel to fall away from the trigger after being dispatched.
• Without a trench, you might experience faster CO2 depletion or even all cartridges being used at once.

Unshelled, unsalted wildlife peanuts are highly recommended, as California Ground Squirrels go mad for them. You should fill the station with lots of peanuts and also place some in the trench near the back of the tunnel. Additionally, throwing 3-4 peanuts down every open burrow within 40-50 feet of the station is advised to attract squirrels to the new food source. While peanuts are preferred, other dry baits like corn can be tested if peanuts aren't working in your specific location.

While the trap can work in open areas, it's generally best to place it near bushes or rocks for cover to make it less visible to the public and predators. Squirrels typically forage 50-75 feet away from their burrows, so placing the trap within this range is effective. Avoid placing the trap directly on a burrow, as this can make squirrels cautious; stay at least 20 feet away if placing it in an open area near a burrow.

Scavengers must already be visiting the area regularly. To train them, manually remove the first few caught squirrels and place them 10-15 feet away from the station or in a nearby bush. This allows the squirrel to decompose outside the station and attracts scavengers. Monitor with cameras and try to remove squirrels within 48 hours if no scavenger has taken them, as their scent helps attract other squirrels while giving scavengers time to find them. Once scavengers are routinely removing catches, you can re-evaluate every two weeks.

If there's no activity after a week, consider moving the trap closer to fresh burrow openings. Ensure all pre-baiting and setup steps (dirt bath, trench, proper baiting) have been followed.

The trap should be maintained monthly. This includes refilling the bait, replacing the CO2 cartridge, and relocating it if necessary.