How to Make Traps & Snares to Catch Rabbits

Although they're cute and fuzzy, rabbits can cause extensive damage to gardens and lawns. They can also carry disease, fleas and other parasites. If you're attempting to trap rabbits to eliminate them from your garden or property, do so with caution. Rabbits are wild animals and can bite. Prepare for your trapping experience by preparing the area in which you hope to trap the rabbits: Consistently leave food out for them, and plan what you're going to do after trapping them. Even though they're wild animals, rabbits should be treated humanely. The best option is to trap them and release them in a wild area outside town.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rabbit treat
• Large wooden box
• Plywood (roughly the size of the box)
• Stick or pole (light)
• String
• Screw hook

1. Screw the hook into the center of the inside of the box, in what will be the roof.

2. Lay the plywood flat on the ground in a place the rabbit frequents. To ensure the rabbit's presence, leave food for the rabbit in the same spot for several nights in a row. If the rabbit is used to getting food in a specific spot, it will come back consistently.

3. Use your stick or pole to prop up one side of the box over the plywood (when the box falls, it should fall on the plywood to form a closed box). Make sure there's enough room under the lip of the box for the rabbit to get inside.

4. Tie the string to whatever treat you're using to tempt the rabbit. Make sure the treat is tied securely, and in several places, so the rabbit will have to pull it before eating it. Run the other side of the string through the hook.

5. Pull the string tight until the treat is suspended near the roof of the box. It should be high enough that the rabbit has to pull it down. When your treat is at the desired height, tie the other side of the string to the base of your stick.

6. Go away from the trap. When the rabbit enters and tugs at the treat, the string will jerk the stick out from under the box and the rabbit will be trapped. Turn the box over, keeping the plywood in place, and take the rabbit to your preplanned destination.

Tips & Warnings

• Use long, thin treats like strips of carrots or other vegetables for ease of tying.
• Rabbits are wild animals and can cause damage with their teeth. Always handle them with care.

References

• Humane Trapping Instructions