All spring traps used in the UK must be approved under The Spring Traps Approval Act.
A list of spring traps approved as being suitable for grey squirrels can be viewed on the DEFRA website.
Beware of copies which may not be approved for use in the UK. It is the users’ responsibility to satisfy themselves that their traps comply with the requirements of the act and are employed in accordance with the current legislation.
It is the users’ responsibility to ensure that traps are employed humanely and in accordance with the law.
The springs in all spring traps are very powerful. When spring traps are set, never allow hands past the tunnel entrance. These traps have the potential to severely damage the human hand!
Mk 4 & Mk 6 Fenn Trap
The Fenn Trap is named after the inventor and clones manufactured by other makers are known by the same generic name “Fenn Trap.”
The Fenn Trap has an ingenious and effective mechanism. It has a tendency to jump when triggered and therefore, to ensure a clean kill, it must always be set inside an appropriate tunnel or container. When used correctly the Fenn Trap is excellent for squirrels and rats.
To ensure animals are dispatched quickly and humanely, all approved spring traps have been tested to assure that they exceed threshold mechanical characteristics in terms of effective mass, velocity, impact force and clamping action.
The following examples illustrate the diversity of designs available.
Kania 2000
This example comprises a metal box enclosure with a front access opening and a rear bait compartment. It incorporates a large torsion spring coiled about an axis normal to the front entrance and having tangentially extending free end arms. One arm for setting and the other arm being the striking bar.
This trap provides a high degree of certainty of killing and a high degree of safety for the trapper when setting.
Approved Spring Traps
Important Legal Information
Important Safety Note
WCS Tube Trap
The UK approved version of this trap, imported from the USA, has been modified to include clamping bars inside the tube. Grey squirrels can enter from both ends of the painted steel tube. End caps are available to convert the trap to single entry.
Kania 2000 Spring Trap
Mk 4 Fenn Spring Trap
Inside a Fenn Cage
WCS Tube Trap
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