THE PIGEON MAGNET INSTRUCTION MANUAL Version 1. November 2012 Code 07-Trap10 Product Pigeon Magnet Trap Optional Accessories (sold separately): 07-trap9c Pigeon Magnet Storage Bag 07-trap9f Pigeon Magnet Feeder Set 07-trap9f Pigeon Deluxe Feed Station 07-trap9j Pigeon Magnet Gassing Kit For more information contact your local Pigeon Magnet distributor or visit : www.mynamagnet.com.au MynaMagnet A u s t r a l i a presents the Pigeon Magnet trap and accessories. This is the latest development in pigeon trapping from the company that has designed & marketed Australia s leading Indian myna trap - the Myna Magnet. How to Set Up Your Pigeon Magnet Stage 1 - Free feeding mode This is the first and most important stage of your program. The object is to allow the local population of pigeons access to your attractant (food and water). Stage 2 Trapping mode This shows the Pigeon Magnet in trapping mode ready to commence. This is the second stage in the process. Stage 3 Euthanasing and dealing with trapped animals
Steps to Stage 1 Free feeding mode Free feeding mode may only need to be used for 1-2 days but may take several weeks depending on the location and available food and water. It is necessary that the entire population be confidently feeding before commencing trapping. It is at the free feeding stage that the trapping location must be selected. Choosing the ideal location is area specific. Most often, the best location is on a flat roof or other elevated location close to the main roosting area. If necessary it may be used on the ground. If you wish to trap indoors it is likely to take much longer for the birds to become comfortable feeding and hence will require a longer Stage 1. The situation illustrated below has a gently sloping roof. A flat roof is preferable. Here timber is used the keep the trap level. Use the trap periodically for short intervals. Steps to constructing the Pigeon Magnet ready for Stage 2 Trapping mode Step 1: Unpack the rest of your Pigeon Magnet and prepare the necessary tools to commence your installation (see tool checklist below). Step 2: Lay out the Pigeon Magnet as above. Step 3: Using the cable ties supplied, attach the walls and base of the Pigeon Magnet. Step 4: Erect the trap walls. Attach wall and base with cable ties. Step 5: Cut loose ends off the cable ties and discard. Step 6: Attach the roof.
Step 7: Secure the roof. Attach the stainless steel screws supplied into the roof on both sides and tighten in place. Step 8: Move the Pigeon Magnet to the trapping location. Step 9: Secure the pigeon Magnet to the roof. In this case Bird Barrier multi-purpose clips and cable ties are used to prevent it from blowing off the roof. Step 10: Return the attractant food and water to the Pigeon Magnet. Allow free feeding to take place for another 1 2 days to allow the pigeons to enter and leave the trap confidently. Step 11: Attach the perch diagonally across the trap, from corner to corner. Step 12: Lubricate the door hinges to ensure they move freely and to protect from corrosion. Step 13: Attach each door using the cable ties provided. Step 14: Trapping mode. Your Pigeon Magnet is now ready for trapping. Step 15: Select the appropriate inspection interval and prepare for the euthanasing process.
Above shows the Pigeon Magnet in an ideal location flat roof, secured and close to the external roosting area. Ensure that you inspect your trap regularly to ensure that the birds are not left without adequate food and water. Inspection intervals vary from state to state. See animal welfare considerations below. Steps to Using the Gassing Kit Steps to Stage 3 Euthanasing and dealing with trapped animals Step 1: Take your CO2 to your trapping location. Step 1: The gassing kit is used to euthanase the captured pigeons. Introduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from a compressed gas cylinder (see below for details). If not available, car exhaust may be sufficient. Keep in mind that this must be the first cold (at the start of the day) and not a diesel engine. Step 2: Ensure that the top of the gassing bag is taped but leave a space for air to be purged and to reduce CO 2 pressure build-up.
Step 3: When your trapping program is complete, cut the cable ties on one wall and three sides of the base only. This allows you to quickly fold down and re-deploy your Pigeon Magnet next time. Step 3: When complete, return your Pigeon Magnet to the optional storage bag for transport and storage. Dealing with Trapped Animals In the rare event that non-target species are trapped simply release them by removing the bird(s) via the release doors (there are two) or by removing the roof. Releasing exotic pest birds however, is not legal and will continue to impact on the ecology of threatened native species. The only solution is to remove them permanently from the environment. Euthanasia, a painless death, is best undertaken with industrial grade carbon dioxide (available from BOC Australia www.boc.com.au). Enclose the Pigeon Magnet containing your trapped pigeons in the gassing bag (optional extra to your original purchase) see pictures above. Tape the top of the bag to the trap roof and make sure the end of the hose goes to the bottom of the bag. This allows the carbon dioxide to displace the air in the bag. Then simply run the pipe from the carbon dioxide gas cylinder (with appropriate pressure regulator) between the inside of the bag and the outside of the cage and allow a constant flow of gas for five minutes. Allow for air to escape where the hose enters the gassing bag which will displace the air and release the pressure of gas entering the bag. It is also possible to use carbon monoxide gas from a petrol engine exhaust. Diesel engines are NOT suitable. The gas should be run through a long enough hose to ensure that it is completely cooled when it reaches the birds and the trap. The vehicle engine should be cold when started (first start of the day) and the engine should run for 6 to 8 minutes. It should be noted that the preferred method of euthanasing the trapped birds is using carbon dioxide gas. Tool check list: Few tools are needed to assemble your Pigeon Magnet. A cordless drill/driver will assist in securing the trap roof as well as securing the trap to the building to prevent damage or being blow away. Tape is needed at the gassing stage. Scissors or cutting tool for cable ties. Lubricant spray (I.E WD-40 or oil) for entry doors. Looking after your trap: Cleaning the trap may be necessary between trapping programs. The trap is a high quality, powder coated steel trap. When scratched is advisable to use touch up paint to protect from corrosion. Lubricate the door hinges to ensure they move freely.
Attractant bait: In most situations, wheat or grain will be sufficient. However, in commercial situations where abundant food is available you may need to try pigeon racing mix, bread, chicken layer mash or similar. Use of a variety of attractants may assist to entice the birds to enter the trap. You must always have fresh water in the trap to entice birds to enter and to maintain the health and moisture requirement of the birds while in the trap. How many Pigeon Magnet traps should you use? This is dependent on the size of the pigeon population and the total area of land, roof size and/or facility size. When designing a trapping program, you may need several traps per roof or location. This will increase the number birds caught (shown here there are approx 12 pigeons each trap) per inspection interval. Multiple traps will also reduce the number of overall visits to the site during an extended program and therefore reduce the labour investment in your program. For assistance and trapping program advice, contact your local Pigeon Magnet distributor or visit www.mynamagnet.com.au Local legislation and Animal welfare considerations: Cruelty to animals is a major issue for professional pest managers, industry and the public. Follow the below link from the Australian Government in relation to animal welfare considerations. The carbon dioxide method of euthanasia is widely viewed by animal welfare agencies in Australia and elsewhere to be humane and accords with the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia's Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. It is our recommended and preferred method. Each state and territory has its own animal welfare legislation that enables prosecution of persons who subject animals to unnecessary cruelty these apply equally to native and invasive pest animals such as pigeons: ACT - Animal Welfare Act 1992 NT - Animal Welfare Act 1999 NSW - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 QLD - Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 SA - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1985 TAS - Animal Welfare Act 1993 VIC - Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 WA- Animal Welfare Act2002
Further information: Trapping of Pest Birds - Department of Sustainability, Environment... www.environment.gov.au/.../pubs/bir002-trapping-of-pest-birds.pdf http://www.nhmrc.gov.au http://www.rspca.org.au Policy of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on the Control and Use of Feral Animals Because of the nature and variables involved in trapping, no guarantees as to the performance of the trap can be given. If you operate the trap by these instructions carefully and diligently you should be able to trap Pigeons successfully. Australia Unit 5, 74-76 Oak Road, Kirrawee, NSW, Australia, 2232 Web: www.mynamagnet.com.au Phone: +612 8539 7055 Fax: +612 8539 7154 Email: sales@mynamagnet.com.au