Freeze proof dirt?

[RUGER]

Ok if you have completely dry dirt to cover your set with, do you need to mix anything with it to make it freeze proof or will it be ok with nothing added?

Thinking either peat moss, top soil or something like that.
I figure a gallon bucket of it would make 2 or 3 sets.

 

[pass-thru]

Mixing dirt with peat moss will just remove the qualities from peat that make it useful.

Personally, I keep dry peat on hand and don't fool with dry dirt. Wet dirt is fine and as long as it stays outside the jaws of the trap. Dry dirt will not stay dry when it rains. If it's already wet at the set location, added dirt will just pull in moisture.

 

[TN Song Dog]

Go with peat. Dry dirt isn't bad, as long as it can stay dry. You can look into waxed dirt, but looks time consuming and difficult. Peat will keep working wet though.

To freeze proof, put some NaCl in the bed, bed trap, peat in jaws, NaCl again, and then final dirt sifted over top. Look on YouTube for videos if not sure.

 

[matt_brown]

I use the flake anti freeze. It's basically just salt in a flake form. When peat gets wet it freezes just like the rest. Peat also attracts skunks. Don't trap in hollers or in a place that rarely gets sunlight when it's extremely cold.

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[RUGER]

I use the flake anti freeze. It's basically just salt in a flake form. When peat gets wet it freezes just like the rest. Peat also attracts skunks. Don't trap in hollers or in a place that rarely gets sunlight when it's extremely cold.

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I saw someone on youtube that sprinkled table salt over the top of the set.
Would salt mixed in with the dirt that you use to cover it work?
Didn't know if they could smell the salt or not or if that would even work?

 

[pass-thru]

I use the flake anti freeze. It's basically just salt in a flake form. When peat gets wet it freezes just like the rest. Peat also attracts skunks. Don't trap in hollers or in a place that rarely gets sunlight when it's extremely cold.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I have never had a problem with peat attracting skunks. But skunks will be attracted to just about any bait or lure. Also, never had a problem with peat absorbing water, even after 3-4" of rain. Only if a set has been completely flooded, at which point it has to be remade anyway.

I saw someone on youtube that sprinkled table salt over the top of the set.
Would salt mixed in with the dirt that you use to cover it work?
Didn't know if they could smell the salt or not or if that would even work?

I use salt in conjunction with peat. Peat sheds water and salt keeps the dirt under the trap bed and packed around the outside of the jaws from freezing. So I don't have to use as much salt as I would if I was using straight dirt. Table salt works fine down to a certain temperature, (I have trapped for extended periods at 10-15 degrees with no problem). But table salt also attracts bunnies and deer if you use a whole lot.

 

[Dover_Mike]

We use buckwheat hulls over ours