A Bait Holder for Liquid and Chunk Baits

Every wildlife control operator (WCO) knows that suspending bait is preferable to throwing it on the cage floor. The problem is how does one suspend slurry or liquidy baits? A while back, I discovered the answer while accompanying Dennis Ferraro of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln during some turtle trapping. I noticed a large white PVC pipe inside his turtle traps. I asked him what it was. He said it was his bait holder. The device, he said, was perfect because it allowed him to put in fish chunks needed to lure turtles to his traps.
The Ferraro bait holder uses a 4-inch long piece of 2-inch PVC pipe, 1 threaded end piece with threaded cap, and 1 solid end cap. He then would drill ¼-inch holes around the perimeter of the 4-inch piece. Ferraro then inserted a ¼ inch threaded eye-screw through the screw-on cap which could be attached to a chain clip for easy hanging in the turtle trap. With the bait holder suspended with the solid end-cap down, any liquid in the bait would be held inside the holder. The screw-cap allowed for easy filling of the holder. When you need to clean the holder, simply place it in a glass jar filled with 10% bleach and water.
I was impressed with the simplicity of the design and decided to try one out. It also didn’t hurt that the white-PVC made it visible for nocturnal wildlife. As you can see from the photos it worked. Upon further reflection, I don’t think the eye screw is necessary. It would likely be easier for trappers to attach a section of trap wire to the holder and use the rest of the wire to hang it in the trap.
If you do any cage trapping and want to use some chunk and liquid baits, then Ferraro’s bait holder is the solution.
About the Author
Stephen M. Vantassel is a certified wildlife control operator who helps individuals, businesses, and agencies resolve wildlife damage issues through training, writing, expert witness, and research. His latest books are the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd edition and The Practical Guide to the Control of Feral Cats. He can be contacted at wildlifecontrolconsultant at gmail dot com.
If you would like your publication, video, or product reviewed, please contact the author at the e-mail above.
Copyright
All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.