Suggestions re: trap enticement in the winter?

Hello. I am trying to trap two kittens who occasionally come at night to my feeding station with their mother. The feeding station is on my front porch. I have a video camera I use to monitor it, and I also have a trap with a remote control trigger.

Since the kittens don't come all the time, I am leaving hard food out for the regulars. I figure the kitten(s) will be inquisitive and check out what is in the trap as well. I've been putting tuna and canned food in the trap, but with it being winter, I'm sure it isn't that interesting after a few hours. One kitten did go into the trap to check the food out (at 1 AM, after I'd gone to bed...sigh), but didn't stay long in the trap.

I'm looking for suggestions on what I can use to entice the kittens that will still be interesting after several hours. Would putting a heating pad under the food (which is just on a bit of cardboard) keep it smelly and interesting? Any foods that would maintain their smell even when cold?  I plan to add some catnip as well, in the hope that that entices them.  Should I dangle a string in the back end of the trap? Any other ideas?

Unfortunately, I need the kittens to come before I have to go to bed. Since I work, I can't stay up all night waiting for them to show up...if they do.

I will catch the mom cat, but I want to get the kittens first.

Thanks for any suggestions...and "good luck" vibes for trapping.

Kalynnda

 Hi, there! It might help if you put the food only in the trap (use a rod or a piece of rope to keep the trapdoor from closing) until all the cats become used to it. You may have to put some dried leaves on the trap floor and/or partially cover it with a towel. Once the colony becomes accustomed to the trap, it will be a lot easier to catch the kitties selectively.  Cats learn from observation and when they see another cat trapped, they often won't enter the trap. But when the food continues to be in the trap without the trapdoor snapping shut, they eventually build up the courage to try eating out of the trap again. Some kitties are real gamblers and are more willing to risk entering the trap ; others are like "no way"..

I am sending mega prayers and vibes for your successful trapping and also prayers for blessings (I hope that my Methodist beliefs don't offend anyone) for you for caring for His creatures

http://www.animalalliancenyc.org/wo...-feral-kittens-dont-chase-em-down-and-bag-em/

check out this link above. Good luck.

What remote controlled trap are you using and what is your opinion? Does it work well? I am a very active trapper and really interested in using technology to make the job easier.

I'm using a Havahart trap and the Tomahawk remote control. I LOVE the remote control. It is incredibly easy to install and remove. The control works through several walls.

The one negative to watch for is battery life. I left the motor part attached to the trap, outside on my porch, for about 4 days before my first attempt to trigger it. The remote didn't trigger. Turns out the cold had affected the batteries. New batteries fixed the problem. Knowing this, I won't leave it out in the cold, but bring it in when I'm not actively trying to trap. It takes less than a minute to remove it, and the only issue with installing is that you need to hold the trigger on the remote control down while bringing the front panel up. It's doable for one person...but having a second person deal with the remote while you wrestle with the trap is easier.

I used it successfully the following night. Kitten #1 is in a cage, scared but not the least bit aggressive. Appears to be ~10 weeks old. I'm going to try for kitten #2 tonight.

UPDATE - One kitten has been caught!  I'll try tonight for the second one.

It worked putting smelly food in the trap, even with hard food available. I heated it up in the microwave before putting it out, so that it stayed warmish for a few hours. The kitten definitely thought the soft food was better (until the trap door slammed shut).

I will trap Mom, but I want to wait for warmer weather. The spay clinic will keep her overnight, and they do a side spay, but I don't like the idea of releasing her into the cold. I don't really have a place to keep her for a few days. So hopefully next month. She's been coming on and off for over a year, and she wasn't there when I caught her kitten, so hopefully she will continue to come to the feeding station.

"Little one" (temporary name) has a vet checkup tomorrow. We can touch her...she's scared but not aggressive. She ate last night and at least scratched in the litter box. She looks to be about 10 weeks, so taming shouldn't take too long. Especially when the humans and hands come with yummy food.

It was 10F last night. I am so happy this little one is not out in that cold, but is safe, warm, and has lots of food. Hopefully in a few weeks she'll learn that humans are good and are not going to eat her.

UPDATE 2: Second kitten has been trapped!!!!