A18 Grey Squirrel Trap from Goodnature, UK - 29 Jul 2021 

Hi Jane, Yes, I found out the hard way when squirrels chewed through the top cap on my first trap. I used tin snips to cut a slot in a baked bean tin so that it could fit over the trap. I sprayed it black and added a wire to allow it to be secured to the trap after baiting. It looked sort of like Ned Kelly armour but it did the job. Goodnature kindly sent me a replacement top and then told me when they produced heavy gauge aluminium covers. I highly recommend fitting the covers and they also protect the trap from the UV in sunlight. All the best.

Hi, Yes, squirrels did chew through the top cap to get directly to the hazlenut paste directly and without putting their heads into the dangerous end of the trap. Goodnature were kind enough to send me a replacement top cap FOC. I initially made a 'Ned Kelly' style armour out of a baked bean can to protect the trap. Later, I found that Goodnature had introduced a metal cover purposely designed for the A18. These metal covers are very well made out of heavy duty aluminium and have a powder coated paint finish. The first one I bought was in a mid brown but the second one I got was in a forest green. I would highly recommend all A18 trap owners to buy the optional metal covers because they will prevent squirrel damage and also prevent UV sunlight damage. The cover simply drops over the top of the A18 trap and is held in place solely by the weight. To bait the trap it is a simple matter to just lift the cover off the top of the trap then unscrew the top cap and pull out the bait basket. (I recommend pressing a little of the bait through the mesh of the bait basket so that a few 'noodles' of bait hang down inside the trap when the bait basket is reinserted. This will ensure that there is lots of attractive scent to attract the squirrel into putting their head inside the trap.) All the best.

Hi Nigel, Sorry to hear that you are still struggling to catch the little blighters in you loft. I wonder if the problem is that you have mounted the A18 trap on the brick wall. Squirrels have needle sharp claws and soft pads on their feet. I suspect that the squirrels would feel unsafe on a hard surface like brick because their claws would struggle to grip. My advice would be to move the trap and fix it to a wooden post. If the trap still fails to catch the squirrels then do try other baits. All the best.

let me know were you live, If it's in the UK.. I know people who can help and I suspect it will be for FREE HELP SAVE OUR RED SQUIRRELS

Hi, Sorry but I can't give definitive answers to your queries about the hazlenut paste. The original hazlenut bait that I received with my first trap was packed in a plastic pouch very similar to baby food. That bait was very ineffective. The next hazlenut paste I received from Goodnature UK was superb. This was a stiff paste with a very strong hazlenut and sweet scent. Later batches I have bought have varied in thickness depending on the season (thinner consistency in the winter). This bait is irresistible to squirrels. My advice would be to try the bait that you receive with your trap but don't persist with it if it does not produce results within a few weeks. I have got the best results using hazlenut paste but I have also used peanut butter, almond butter and also blended in a little Nutella hazlenut and chocolate spread. You could also make your own hazlenut paste by blending nuts. Press a little of the bait through the mesh of the bait basket so that it hangs down inside the trap and so provide an enticing scent. Smear a little of the bait on the tree under the trap entrance to draw in the squirrels. Wear disposable gloves when landling the trap and adding bait to avoid imparting human scent which can make the squirrels too nervous to enter the trap. All the best.

Hi, I have had a few reports of the trap failing to kill the squirrel cleanly but it is rare. In all the trail camera footage I have captured I haven't ever seen an injured squirrel. I would suggest that you look at the position that your A18 is mounted. Make sure that there is unobstructed space below the trap so that the squirrel can enter with both front legs either side of the entrance and its head extending deep into the trap. Always change the CO2 cylinder before it runs low to ensure that the trap delivers a lethal blow. All the best.

Hi, Yes, the Goodnature A18 is licenced in the UK for the control of the invasive grey squirrels. So yes the A18 is legal to use in your garden. See the manufacturers website - goodnaturetraps.co.uk/shop/a18-grey-squirrel-trap/ The grey squirrels do a huge amount of damage to UK songbirds and to our trees. I operate 3 of these A18 traps and I have never seen evidence of any non-target species being harmed. Some years ago I obtained an extra safeguard which was simply a piece of smooth plastic sheet that fitted between the tree and the trap and extended maybe 100mm below the trap entrance. The idea being that any bird that attempted to land below the trap would not be able to obtain the grip on the smooth surface needed to lift itself up into the mouth of the trap. All the best.

Hi, I know it sounds self-serving but I would suggest that you read through the comments below all of the squirrel videos on this channel because there are lots of tips and tricks discussed. I would suggest that you try the following: 1. Make sure that the CO2 is firmly screwed into the trap so that it pierced and powering the trap. 2. If you own a trail camera then place it near the trap to observe the behaviour of the squirrels - are they actually approaching the trap and placing their head deep into the trap in search of the bait? 3. Wear gloves when when you handle the trap to avoid transferring human scent that will deter squirrels. 4. Try a variety of baits - hazlenut paste, peanut butter, almond butter. I have also tried adding a little Nutella (chocolate and hazlenut spread) to the mix. Smear a few blobs of the bait onto the tree below the trap entrance. 5. When you add bait into the bait basket - take the basket out of the trap and press a little through the mesh in the bottom of the basket so that little noodles protrude out of the bottom of the basket. When you put the basket back into the trap the scent of the bait will be increased and lure in the squirrels. 5. If you don't have success after a week or two then move the trap to a different location - preferably a tree where you see squirrels running to and climbing. 6. Remember that when there is a lot of natural food available it is always going to be hard to lure squirrels into a trap. 7. A positive attitude and good field craft work wonders. All the best.

Hi, Many viewers in the USA have asked this question but it seems that the Goodnature A18 is not licensed for use in the US. However, other users in the US have reported that the very similar, but smaller, Goodnature A24 Rat Trap is also effective against squirrels. I don't have an A24 trap so can't speak from experience on this model. The A24 trap is readily available in North America. I suspect that the effectiveness of the A24 will depend on the size of the squirrels. Where I live in the SW of the UK the invasive grey squirrels, that were introduced from the USA less than 150 years, grow to a huge size. Here the greys enjoy a very mild climate and virtually unlimited food supplies from cattle, sheep and bird feeders so they really pile on the pounds. All the best.

Hi, Recently other viewers in the US have mentioned that the Good-nature is now available in the US - unfortunately they haven't said where they purchased but it was online. All the best.

Been checking for a couple of years now---not available.

@Incognito1-1 Hi, Recently other viewers in the US have mentioned that the Good-nature is now available in the US - unfortunately they haven't said where they purchased but it was online. All the best.@@hawkenman.549

Hi Christine, On one of my other videos I have emphasised the need for the trap user to play their part but it is worth reminding everyone that the trap isn't a magic bullet that can simply be deployed to gain instant success. The key tips I would offer are: a) Carefully choose the site for the A18 where the squirrels regularly pass by and will discover the trap quickly. If you don't get success within a couple of weeks then be prepared to move the trap to a new position. b) Experiment with a variety of baits until you find the one that the squirrels simply can't resist. Here I find that hazlenut based paste works well. I sometimes also add a little Nutella hazlenut and chocolate paste. I would also suggest making a paste from whichever nuts the squirrel are raiding at the time. Peanut butter is also a reliable choice. I have also used almond butter with success. c) Smear a little of the bait on the tree directly below the trap to provide even more scent to draw the squirrels in towards the trap. Hopefully they will then explore into the trap... d) Purchase the metal cover that fits over the trap - this will protect your investment. The cover prevents the squirrels getting to the bait directly by chewing through the plastic cover of the bait basket. The cover also protects the trap from exposure to the UV in sunlight and protects the plastics. e) Wear a pair of disposable plastic gloves when handling the trap, baiting it and checking the counter to make sure that you don't impart a human scent that could deter the squirrels from entering the trap. f) When putting bait into the bait basket push a little through the mesh to form short dangling strands to ensure that it creates an irresistible scent inside the trap... g) Monitor the trap regularly to check the counter and replenish the bait. If you have a trail camera then it is well worth setting it up to observe the trap and watch the squirrels behaviour. You will then be aware if the squirrels are being drawn in to the area but are for some reason hesitant to put their head deep enough into the trap to trigger it. h) Obvious I know but worth saying never put a finger into the trap - it won't end well. If you repeatedly observe squirrels putting their head well into the trap but it not firing then try changing the CO2 cylinder. Always change the cylinder after the trap has fired 18 times. If the trap still isn't triggered then be careful about triggering the trap using something like a stick because it can damage the mechanism because the piston/bolt is over extended since there isn't a squirrel's head in the way to slow down the bolt. I have used a cane with a tough foam sleeve wrapped with several turns of gaffer tape to trigger the trap - but best avoided. i) Above all adopt positive mental attitude and keep making changes until you get a successful string of kills. All the best.

@@Incognito1-1 Thanks for the extra advice. I've used traps and snares before and human scent takes a longtime to go so I always wear gloves. I've used peanuts in the two feeders before, so I'll try that to begin with and see how it goes. I've worked out 3 locations where I'm planning to site the trap and the 2 feeders. I'll place the feeders first and use trail cams for a few weeks, I'll swap them around between locations a few times and then I'll add the trap, might fool them?? I'll let you know how I get on.

Hi Iain, You raise a good point - it is essential to minimise the risk of destroying unintended species. I am deploying these traps in the SW of the UK. There are no native red squirrels left in this area of the UK. The invasive grey squirrel was introduced to the UK from the USA less than 150 years ago - but in that relatively short time they have completely displaced our native red squirrel in most areas of England save for a few reserves. So the short answer to your question is that there is no chance that the trap will kill a red squirrel. The A18 should not be deployed in some areas in the north of England and Scotland where there is a mixed populations of squirrels. In this situation hunting the grey squirrels using air rifles or live trapping would be appropriate. I hope that this explanation sets your mind at rest. All the best.

@@Incognito1-1 thanks for that!!

Dead squirrel is a good squirrel. Don't care what color.

Hi Bac, All I can say is that my personal experience with the A18 has been fantastic and now 2 years later I have 3 of these A18 traps and the squirrel numbers here are visibly much reduced. As you can clearly see on my videos these traps cull the invasive grey squirrels quickly and humanely. I remember that you posted a similar comment on one of my other videos on the A18. It sounds as though you may have been unlucky enough to have had a faulty A18. But without actually knowing how you setup the trap I can't be sure that you were correctly using the A18. In that situation I would have contacted Goodnature to discuss the problem. When I got my first A18 trap I didn't have a metal cover and the squirrels chewed through the top cap. I messaged Goodnature and they sent me a replacement and an a bait basket. So their customer care is great in my experience. All the best.

If it is not working correctly I would highly recommend you contacting Goodnature to let them know. They will ask for the serial number and replace it (if it's within the warranty) minus the mounting and lure basket that you will have. I witnessed a misfire. Goodnature do not want to risk injuring a squirrel so they replaced it no questions. If it is working correctly then it will kill instantly and without suffering. It's made a huge difference here and in 18 months I am up to 48 dispatches, the latest one this morning.

Glad to hear that the A18 is doing the business for you. This year the squirrel numbers were much lower than previous years in the spring and early summer. So the 2 previous years of trapping have definitely had a positive effect. But I have noted that the numbers are creeping up again so I have just replenished all 3 traps and will put serious effort into suppressing the squirrels while they are still active in this long Indian summer that we are enjoying in the SW of the UK.

@@dellara100 Glad to hear that the A18 is doing the business for you. This year the squirrel numbers were much lower than previous years in the spring and early summer. So the 2 previous years of trapping have definitely had a positive effect. But I have noted that the numbers are creeping up again so I have just replenished all 3 traps and will put serious effort into suppressing the squirrels while they are still active in this long Indian summer that we are enjoying in the SW of the UK.

@@Incognito1-1It's actually the same for me in the second half of this year. When I first started to get rid of them with the trap from last July I guessed at maybe 15 at the number. So here we are 18 months or so later and I've got 48. This indicates that they just keep coming from elsewhere and I know the number here in this country is huge. I heard 2 million? So I, like you, keep an eye out. I suspect that they will just continue to move in and this effective trips keeps their numbers down with emphasis on stopping them breeding. So it's a marathon and not a sprint, but I think I have a great pair of training shoes!

Hi, I think that you may be missing the point - the A18 trap is on duty 24/7/365. Yes, I do also shoot grey squirrels but I don't have much time available to sit waiting with my gun. So these A18 traps take care of the squirrels when I am busy elsewhere. In my opinion they do a good good. All the best.

Hi David, Yes, I totally agree that a bounty could help incentive grey squirrel culling. There has been much talk about bringing back a tail bounty but it hasn't happened to the best of my knowledge. The bounty in 1956 was 2 shillings which due to inflation would be £2.50 today. All the best.

Hi Jason, I don't have any association with the manufactures of the A18 trap. I share these videos to raise awareness of the effectiveness of the traps. You can actually see these traps in operation and working in 2 of my videos. I have previously explained that the traps are not a magic bullet and that the user needs to employ good field craft and choose the bait that the local squirrels find irresistible - hazelnut paste, peanut butter, almond butter etc. The proof I offer is that after spending my hard earned money to buy my first A18, I have gone on to buy a further 2 and now operate 3 of the A18 traps. There is no fakery - in the right hands these traps are efficient and on duty 24/7. All the best.

I have had two of these traps set up in my garden for two and a half years. I have a terrible issue with neighbours feeding squirrels and they won't stop. So far I have dispatched 116 of them using these traps. So definitely not a fake video and I have a few of my own as proof. As incognito says it does require time and patience and luring them with nice fresh Nutella or the like!

Its quite educational and a good demonstration on how they are dealing with the invasive species. If you don't like watching this stuff, don't subscribe in the first place. :P

Why did you comment this? Your ignorance or arrogance in not reading any caption is harmful??? 👎😒

Apparently in UK if you trap them you can’t release them back into the wild you have to by law destroy them humanely as from what I hear (from video description) they are considered a pest.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Not harmful?? They are an extremely invasive species that is contributing to the potential extinction of the Dormouse and any other species that relies on hazel nuts to survive. They evolved to live in a much harsher climate and can digest hazel nuts before they ripen, as such they don't ripen and fall to the forest floor in late summer/early autumn, this combined with them raiding nests, killing trees and nearly wiping out the red squirrel (which our ecosystem evolve with) makes the very harmful. Hopefully the ignorance of other won't stop those of us who can see what's really going in our woods from killing them.

Cute? It’s vermin

Hi David, You are very fortunate to have red squirrels where you live. You are of course right to flag up that lethal traps can only be used in the UK in areas where red squirrels are now totally absent. I have made this point in the past but it is always good to reiterate. If you also have grey squirrels present then a good alternative is to use a live trap so that any red squirrels caught by accident can be released unharmed. However, you then need to humanely despatch grey squirrels caught in a live trap because it is not lawful to release them. A better alternative is shooting the greys using an air rifle while they sit eating peanuts at a feeder. But of course you have to be a consistently good shot and careful place the pellet for head shots only (in profile between the eye and the base of the ear). All the best.