Need advice for cleaning up old traps.

[trailrider]

New to trapping. I've got some old rusty body traps laying around that i want to use for my increasing muskrat problem. I've read about soaking in vinegar. Should i paint them, dye them? Just looking for advice on what to do to get them set ready. I'm sure some of you have experience with this. Please dont lecture me on muskrats being out of season as these damn rats are causing obvious damage to my pond. I've kept them in check in the past with a 22 but they are awful this year. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[sportsman223]

Since they mostly will be underwater nothing needs done, just make sure the springs are still tight and triggers are working good

 

[possumpacker]

i dip em will make them last longer and close faster no need to worry about scent. just sold some rats the other day for 13.25.

 

[wolfman]

Boil them and dip them is all I used to do. Can't remember what we dipped them in, but someone will be along shortly to provide the info or a link to it.

 

[trailrider]

Co worker suggested boiling them with walnuts. Will probably do that. Can't hurt right? I'm looking for some detailed advice if ya got it.

 

[HeadlessRoland]

Reverse electrolysis will remove rust. Just be sure to clamp your anode and cathode onto the right places or you'll have a very shiny piece of junk metal and a very corroded rusty trap.

ELECTROLYTIC RUST REMOVAL (ELECTROLYSIS)

 

[Bounty Hunter]

Co worker suggested boiling them with walnuts. Will probably do that. Can't hurt right? I'm looking for some detailed advice if ya got it.

We did that for years. Darkens the metal and protects it. Kills any human scent. We pulled them out with rubber gloves on, never touched them with bare hands. Probably not necessary with rat traps under water, but Fox and anything on land will catch your scent with out them.

Some people used to melt wax and pull the trap through the wax to give a coating, but never saw the need. Walnuts, water, and a half 55 gal barrel with a good fire will do it. The walnuts, especially the skins will be a good stain!! They stain the road when hit in the fall, will do the same to traps.

It was our fall ritual before heading to the woods, and 30 years later the traps are good as new. Some good memories there with Dad and brother. It took awhile to get the water at a boil but we just let it roll once it did.

Wire brush them the best you can and boil them good, and they be good to go. Caught lots of rats years ago. A few Mink as well.

 

[trailrider]

Thanks for all the advice! Looks like most of what i read about descenting applied mostly to foothold traps on land. I will try the walnut method and take care not to touch them with bare hands. That should do it. Thanks Bounty Hunter.

 

[bdybdall]

Get ahold of the good folks at Hoosier Trapper Supply outside of Greenwood. They will give you the best advice and they have everything you need.

 

[captpaul]

You want to use Rustoleum spray paint for bodygrippers or Speed Dip for footholds. You can purchase Speed Dip at Hoosier Trapper (317-881-3075). It mixes with Coleman fuel or gasoline.
Build a simple electrolysis tank to derust if they are bad, otherwise you can ignore the rust. Dip outside when the temperatures are above 80 degrees.
Muskrats do not care about human scent and are very easy to catch.

 

[trailrider]

Thanks captpaul. I'm going to prep the traps tomorrow and set next weekend. Hopefully i'll catch something besides my own fingers

 

[captpaul]

Lots of good info on Trapperman.com ran by Paul Dobbins. His dad, Charlie, was a giant in fur trapping and wrote several books.

 

[Hookeye]

I just wire brushed (by hand ) every year.
Pretty darn cheap and worked fine.

Cuz used Logwood Dye.