Goodnature A18 Squirrel Trap

How the A18 squirrel trap works

A compressed CO2 canister sits inside the trap head and powers an instant strike when a grey squirrel reaches up into the trap to take the lure. After the strike, the squirrel falls clear of the device and the mechanism automatically resets for the next visit. A digital counter mounted on the trap records each strike, giving you an accurate picture of activity in the field and prompting timely retrieval before a dispatched squirrel is scavenged. A single CO2 canister supports multiple consecutive strikes before replacement, so a well-positioned A18 can manage a population with a fraction of the labour required by traditional spring traps.

Choosing between squirrel traps

UK gamekeepers and land managers typically choose from three styles of squirrel trap. Live catch traps, such as wire cage traps, hold the squirrel alive and require daily checks followed by humane dispatch on site, since release of captured greys is not permitted under UK law. Traditional spring kill traps deliver an instant kill but must be reset and rebaited by hand after each strike. Self-resetting traps such as the Goodnature A18 combine the welfare benefits of an instant kill with the labour savings of automatic resetting, making them well suited to ongoing population management across woodland blocks, release pens and farm boundaries where daily visits would be impractical.

Bait and placement guidance

Effective trapping starts with placement. Mount the A18 vertically on a mature tree or post within an active squirrel run, ideally near the base of a feature tree where you have seen squirrels feeding, descending or caching food. The stainless steel tree mount supplied with the trap fits most surfaces. Position the trap well away from public footpaths, bridleways and pet exercise areas.

With the original Goodnature Hazelnut Lure now discontinued, many operators use a thin layer of natural peanut butter or hazelnut paste applied directly into the lure basket, refreshed every two to three weeks during periods of high activity. Peanuts and sunflower seeds also work well in cooler months when squirrels are caching food. Read the strike counter on every visit, replace CO2 canisters in line with the success guide, and reposition the trap if activity drops away.

Legal compliance and approved use

The Goodnature A18 is approved under the Spring Traps Approval Order for use against grey squirrels. It has been legal for use in England since 1 January 2019 and in Wales since 1 February 2019. As with any spring-loaded device, it must not be deployed in areas where red squirrels are known to be present. No licence is required to trap grey squirrels in the UK, as they are listed as a non-native invasive species, but operators are legally responsible for the welfare of any animal caught and must humanely dispatch captured greys.