Best Bait for Catching Possums

[frenchiegirl21]

Hello all.

Last night either a rat or possum came into my garage and killed 2 of my new bantam chicks and bit the leg off of a third chick. I have dogs, so I cannot put poison out. I am going to set both rat and possum traps tonight. My question is: what is the best bait to use in the possum trap? We've never had one hide out in our garage, and I need something that will lure it out and make it trip the trap. I will obviously move the chicks inside for the evening, but they cannot stay inside long term due to the dogs ( 4 longhair miniature dachshunds, one who has proven to be a ferocious chicken hunter). I really need a solution that should work quickly to capture the pest. I will dispatch it once I catch it, but I can't exactly go shooting at something I can't see. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[chiques chicks]

A can of cat food should work, I believe. I've also had them go after dry cat food. Or, since you have dogs, dog food should work just as well.

 

[jimbob86]

Anything dead. They love carrion.

 

[Folly's place]

Fix your brooder so no one can get in! I use either a big dog airline crate, or a large stock tank with a hardware cloth lid in my garage. That's really sad about your chicks, and I hope you can trap the critter soon. Cat food, canned tuna, any meat, fruit, chicken food; any might work, depending on the predator. If you trap a raccoon, fox, or possum, relocating it is not an option, except on your property. Mary

 

[frenchiegirl21]

Well, stinky cat food did not catch anything last night

Thankfully my chicks are safe and sound living in my closet. I'm trying to find a critter cam to see exactly what I'm up against. The MO sounds like a rat, possum, or maybe a baby coon. If I can find out which I can put better bait.