Tips for using LureGard to maximum effectiveness

LureGard is designed to protect edible baits such as Erayz or pellet foods from being taken by mice.

LureGards can be placed in a standard egg holder in DOC style traps. The LureGard grilles should be placed facing each other and the device placed in the egg holder on its side, as eggs do not stand on end in the wild. The solid face of the LureGard should point to the rear of the trap so that the bait is protected from the rain and the device resembles an egg for a predator looking in from the rear of the trap box.

It is possible that if the trap is sprung (such as a catch) another rat could access the LureGard and might attempt to nibble the device to reach the bait within it. We have seen small evidence of this, but the damage to devices is generally minimal.

If you need to fix the LureGard to the trap e.g. in very windy environments, screw one half down through the grilles. This ensures that any moisture will drain out. You can easily use the non-screwed half to place the bait into and then clip into the fixed half.

Some LureGards can be quite sticky to separate, especially after lures have congealed inside. Squeezing on the thumb tabs of the device can make the two halves separate a little easier.

If there is any residual mould inside the LureGard, this should be wiped out with a finger.

You should always use gloves when handling traps, to reduce transfer of human smell onto the trap, protect from sharp edges on the trap and to protect from disease such as leptospirosis.

Typical bait use with LureGard

Dried Rabbit/Erayz

These are heavily salted so old bait must be removed and disposed of away from the traplines. If a stoat were to taste the bait outside the trap the saltiness may well render any future Erayz ineffective.

One block of Erayz fits nicely into the LureGard.

To record in TrapNZ, when you set up the trap defaults at the start of the rebait, select ‘“Erayz”.

Salmon Pellets/Fish pellets

This lure is palatable to predators so it can be used both as a lure and for prefeeding. Ten grams (12-14 pellets) to be used per trap.

• 1/3 of the pellets into the LureGard.
• A further 1/3 are placed in the entrance(s) to the trap. This should be accessible without the pest having to fully enter the trap.
• The last 1/3 can be placed near the trap, on a dry aerated position if possible.

Any old pellets from the previous rebait can be placed outside the trap as additional prefeed.

To record in TrapNZ, when you set up the trap defaults at the start of the rebait, select ‘“Fish Pellets”.

Mayonnaise or Eggsellent Lure

As LureGards resemble the shape of an egg, it is an advantage if the scent of egg is also in the trap. So we recommend using a high egg content mayonnaise with LureGard. Mayonnaise is palatable to predators, and it can also be used for prefeeding. Preferably smear this on the walls of the trap box; then if mice lick the lure, they will leave their saliva on the surface. Stoats can detect and are attracted to mice saliva, therefore the lure may have been eaten but there is still an attractant for stoats.

• One 500g bottle for 50 traps.
• 1 tsp or 5g per trap.
• 1/3 smeared down the wall of the trap in the bait area.
• A further 1/3 in each trap entrance (can be eaten without entering the trap).
• The last 1/3 can be placed near the trap, on a dry aerated position if possible.

To record in TrapNZ, when you set up the trap defaults at the start of your rebait, select ‘Mayo’.