Caution should be applied if you plan to use pitfall traps in the areas of New Zealand where native lizards are found, as they often fall into the traps and die there. If the pitfall trap is left out for too long, the captured invertebrates may begin to decompose, which often results in large numbers of carrion beetles attracted by the smell falling into the trap. The pitfall trap can be checked at various intervals, from every few days to once every few weeks. Installation of a pitfall trap, Step 2: preserving fluid is added. A cover of some sort needs to be propped over the trap to keep the rain out if the trap is left unattended for long time, as the rainwater will dilute the preserving fluid, and may even fill the trap altogether. Keep in mind, however, that ethylene glycol is toxic for people, and often lethal for cats and dogs, so propylene glycol or alcohol are safer options. A small amount of preserving fluid is added to the container to kill and preserve any animal that falls in - for that purpose, ethylene glycol (car antifreeze) can be used. Carefully fill the gap around the container with soil, creating a level surface.
#Pitfall trap people install#
To install a pitfall trap, dig a hole in the ground, and place the container into the hole so that the rim of the container is level with the ground surface. The simplest pitfall trap can be made from a glass jar or a plastic food container. Pitfall traps are used to capture invertebrates that travel about on the soil surface (epigaeic). +64-0 Zealand Terrestrial & Freshwater Biodiversity Information Home NZ Soil Fauna Identification Image Gallery Collecting About Terms & Conditions