How do you lure a marten into a live trap?

LIVE TRAP: THIS IS HOW THE MARTEN FALLS INTO THE TRAP.

Learn how to catch a marten with a live trap. We have 9 tried and tested tips for you on how to lure a marten into a live trap to get rid of the predator in an animal-friendly way.

1. Only touch the trap when you are wearing gloves. This way you will not leave your scent on the wire mesh. The marten that has taken up residence in your house is familiar with your scent, but it may still hesitate to enter the trap.
2. The same procedure applies when laying out the bait. Use tongs or wear gloves. If you use eggs (bones, meat, offal) from the store as bait, put them in boiling water to neutralize the odor. This is not necessary for eggs from your own henhouse. In winter, you should avoid bait that can freeze and instead use smoked products such as smoked salmon or mackerel. The dried fish have a dominant odor and will attract the marten and neutralize all other odors that could warn the predator.
3. Place the marten traps along the wall unless you know their exact paths. Martens like to move along walls and curbs. We recommend that you camouflage the trap using, for example, mineral wool (martens love it - they comb out fleas and ticks in it), boards, branches, grass, hay, paper, etc. Cover the trap so that it can close (from above and from the sides). The live trap can be easily covered with soil or sawdust.

1. When catching the predators, you need to be patient. You may catch the marten on the first day, or you may wait several months in vain. Just don't give up. Everyone makes mistakes, and sooner or later the same will happen to the marten. If the bait disappears but the trap has not closed, then it is already a success because the marten has run into the cage. At first the pests are very cautious, but after a while they lose their fear. Be patient and you will catch the marten. Some martens have already had experience with live traps and remember all too well the stress associated with them. That is why you should mask the trap well so that the animal does not recognize it.
2. Variety in bait - be creative and offer the marten different baits. If you don't have success with eggs, use meat, fish, canned food or even cooked food. Sometimes the martens eat leftover food (sausages, sausages, ham, sausages, etc.) that they have found somewhere in the garbage and prefer these to unusual baits. The small predators also like sweets and can be lured with dried plums or dates.
3. All-you-can-eat method - Place various treats in the trap, not only on the trigger plate, but also around it. Spread eggs, fish, chicken liver and wet cat food throughout the cage. The marten will certainly run into the trap on the first night. Young animals are particularly susceptible to this trick, as they are inexperienced and curious and are taken by surprise by such a feast.
4. You can also resort to the training method: you train the marten and then catch it. Leave the trap for the first two or three days, then set it up, but without bait. Show the animal that the cage is not a threat. Then place bait in front of and around the trap. The next step is to spread something tasty right at the entrance and once the bait is eaten, repeat the step over and over until the animal runs all the way into the trap. By training the marten to see the cage as a source of food, it will become so familiar with the trap that it will make a mistake and you can catch it.

1. Raw eggs are a weakness of martens and should ideally come from a chicken coop or, if necessary, from a shop. They also like to eat chicken meat, offal and cat food. With cat food, you have to remember that cats are also attracted to the smell and can run into the trap. If you decide to use wet cat food, then set up the marten trap in a place that is inaccessible to cats, e.g. in the attic.
2. Small pieces - break the bait into small pieces. This will force the animals to reach for it several times, which increases the likelihood of them moving the trigger mechanism. Martens are very cautious. You can make it difficult for them to eat by hanging the bait on a hook. It is best to distribute dry food in small groups.