Top Trapping Tips for Catching Possums in New Zealand

Possum control plays a critical role in protecting New Zealand’s native forests, birdlife and rural environments. To trap possums effectively and humanely, landowners need a clear strategy that includes trap placement, bait selection, regular monitoring, and an understanding of possum behaviour.

Below is a comprehensive, research‑based guide to improving your possum trapping success.

1. Confirm Possum Activity First

Before setting traps, confirm possum presence around your property. Signs include:

• Night‑time sightings or rustling
• Damaged fruit trees or stripped vegetation
• Scratch marks on trees

Cameras are particularly useful for identifying where possums travel and feed. 

2. Choose the Right Trap Type

Several trap types are effective for possums:

• Live Capture Cage Traps
• Leg Hold Traps
• Tree‑mounted kill traps (e.g., Trapinator, Timms)
• Other kill traps designed for possums
• Bait stations for large‑scale control in controlled areas

Trapping is considered highly effective once initial population numbers have been reduced or where regular maintenance trapping is needed.

3. Optimise Trap Placement

Correct trap location is often the biggest factor in trapping success.

Best Practices for Placement

• Place traps on known possum pathways or signs of activity such as scratch‑marked mahoe trees.
• Install kill traps 1–1.5 metres off the ground on a sturdy tree to avoid pets and non‑target species.
• Secure the trap firmly with screws to maintain alignment and ensure proper function.
  

Rotate Trap Locations

If catches slow down after a few weeks, move the trap - possums are territorial but will adjust their patterns over time. Flexibility improves results.

4. Use Highly Attractive Baits and Lures

Possums are inquisitive and respond well to strong scents and sweet flavours.

Effective baiting is one of the most impactful ways to increase capture rates.

Top Possum Baits

Research and community trapping groups consistently recommend:

• Peanut butter a universal, long‑standing favourite. 
• Nutella often highly successful due to its strong smell and sweetness. 
• Apple dusted with cinnamon  a powerful combination for scent and freshness. 
• Citrus peel (orange or lemon), with all flesh removed to avoid corrosion. 
• Carrot pieces, optionally with a smear of Vegemite. 
• Commercial long‑life baits such as Connovation Smooth or Possum Dough. These work especially well in Timms traps with chew cards. 

Blazing for Visual Attraction

Possums respond to both scent and visual cues.

Creating a flour‑based blaze (flour + icing sugar + cinnamon) down the tree trunk below the trap or near live capture traps increases attention and draw‑in rates.

Important Bait Rule

Never use meat - it attracts non‑target species and is discouraged for safe possum trapping.

5. Time Your Trapping Efforts

Possums have seasonal feeding preferences:

• Native fruits (e.g., taraire, hinau, tawa) in May–August
• Pine pollen in July–August
• Willow/poplar buds in October–December
• Orchard fruit throughout the year

Placing traps near these seasonal food sources dramatically improves success rates.

Autumn is also a high‑activity season as possums increase feeding ahead of winter.

6. Maintain and Monitor Your Traps

• Check traps daily for the first week, then weekly. (live capture traps should be checked daily)
• Refresh baits frequently - rodents often steal bait, reducing trap effectiveness.
• Record catches to track improvements and patterns.
  

Frequent monitoring supports long‑term predator control and helps maintain low possum numbers.

7. Use Multiple Trap and Lure Types

Variety increases catch success. Experienced trappers report significantly higher results when:

• Using more than one trap model
• Alternating bait types
• Adjusting trap set‑ups based on results

Flexibility prevents possums from becoming trap‑shy.

Successful possum trapping relies on a combination of smart trap placement, high‑quality baits, seasonal awareness, and consistent monitoring.

By applying these field‑tested strategies, you’ll significantly increase your catch rates and contribute to New Zealand’s broader biodiversity protection goals.

View Possum Traps