[Gutenberg 35542] • House Rats and Mice

[...]as to turn with the weight of a rat (fig. 9 (2)). Fig. 10.-Pit trap. aa, Rat run; bb, cover; cc, position of weights; dd, rods on which covers turn. Pit trap.-A modification of the barrel trap is the pit trap (fig. 10). This consists of a stout narrow box sunk in the ground so that the top is level with the rat run. It is fixed with a cover of light wood or metal in two sections, the sections fitting nicely inside the box and working independently. They turn on rods, to which they are fastened. They are weighted near the ends of the box and so adjusted that they swing easily. An animal stepping upon the cover beyond the rods is precipitated into the box, while the cover immediately swings back to its place. Besides rats, the trap is well adapted to capture larger animals, as minks, raccoons, opossums, and cats. It is especially useful to protect poultry yards, game preserves, and the like. The trap should be placed along the[...].