Are you able to use peat moss to make waxed dirt?

If you want waxed dirt I suggest you start with dirt. Waxed peat moss, never heard of it but there are a lot of things I haven't heard of.

I just didn't know. Of course I have peat moss already sifted. I just didn't know if adding the wax to it would give it a doubly water resistant property as well as add a property to be able to pack it better to make your set solid.

When I was trying to really make the waxed dirt last I'd put wax dirt in the base, and then fill inside the jaws, and the top of the trap with peat moss. Then I would top with waxed dirt. As long as you have wax dirt touching all of the soil at the set it's still bullet proof other than a freezing rain, and the peat moss filler doesn't use up your wax dirt as much. If you're going through the trouble of making wax dirt you may as well use regular soil as it beds easier, and I'm not even sure the peat moss would absorb the wax like regular soil.

Thanks Wade, I appreciate your input. It's just a question that I was wondering about.

If you try to add wax to peat moss you will en dup with real mess. IT's been tried. LOL

Beav, I'll definitely take your word for it.

Trust me it don't work LOL...

I'm just glad that I asked the question prior to trying it. I can only imagine.

Most of the time I like to keep things simple.

In good conditions I use what material Is at the set. An underall or a cover over the trap pan and under the jaws works just fine. If you have poor soli conditions carry In dry dirt and top dress with dirt from the location. All you need Is a little bit of top dressing.


Peat moss Is a very poor material for getting that trap bedded solid. Wax dirt Isn't much better but It does pack a little bit.
With both peat moss and dry dirt I will peg the trap so It's bedded solid. I only do this when conditions warrant It.

I start 11/1 with all waxed dirt/sand. No filler, no peat, no shortcuts.. No digging in fence rows for usable dirt when its wet and muddy. No maintenance , more sets working equals more fur..

My truck Is full of dry sifted dirt In zip lock bags. I use this in poor soil conditions.
I use a setting cloth and haul away most of the dirt taken from the set location. And use a bit of It to top dress the dirt I brought In. Sometimes I don't do that because It's added eye appeal.

Waxed dirt Is used only during wet freezing conditions. I very seldom ever use peat moss.

BINGO! This is how I use waxed dirt and peat - this past season we had low temps for 3 wks...ground was like concrete! lucky for me I was on good ground/locations with waxed dirt and peat inside the jaws - the peat eliminates the need of pan covers or polyfil under the pan - once the temps drop (freeze/thaw) I go to waxed dirt and peat...love it!

the BEAV and trappergbus make 2 interesting comments 1. Mixing sand in with good sifted dirt when making waxed dirt - did this last season for the first time and liked it - will do it again this yr. 2. Top dressing the trap pattern - I typically do this with debris/dirt/duff from the set location...may only be slightly but I do it to not only blend but also for odor/natural

Zimmerman, and anyone else, how do you sift your dirt? Is it just with your trapping sifter?

Zimmerman, I saw that you just did a butt load of dirt, that’s why I ask

Some people will lay something like a window screen (with bigger mesh) over a trash can and sift through that. Bigger sifter for faster production.

I first locate my dirt source - I toss the dirt with my loader so it's nice and loose - I use my fine mesh screen dirt sifter - I use a small D-handle shovel to load my dirt sifter...and sift away. I sift into a plastic cement mixing tube then pour sifted dirt into 5 GAL. buckets (w/o lids) - On a sunny hot day I lay a black plastic sheet in the driveway and pour all the sifted dirt onto it. I use a garden rake to turn the wet dirt until it's dry. Next I use a plastic dust pan to scoop all of the dry sifted dirt back into the 5 GAL. buckets - ready for wax.

Past few days I sifted 28 5 GAL buckets - got 23 dried. I will add 1 GAL. of fine play sand to each 5 GAL bucket of dry sifted dirt - mix well and ready for wax.

Making waxed dirt is a lot of work - me filling - carrying and dumping 5 GAl. buckets is a lot of work - I always first sift my dirt so I'm not carrying around rocks and junk - for me the 5 GAL. buckets make it easier to move the dirt, from processing to using out in the field. Again, it's a lot of work BUT it's sure nice having that waxed dirt when the ground freezes - in the cold weather, I won't trap without it!

Thanks a lot Zimmer, that’s some great information. Now to tell the wife that I need a loader to make waxed dirt. I know she’ll understand how this piece of equipment is an absolute necessity to speed up the process and make it more economical. I mean that thing should pay for itself in no time. Lol

Ok, who’s got a couch for me to
Sleep on? Zimmer, you’re from PA. Send me an address

I made a 3x2 sifter from a metal screen door guard and added fine mesh to it. I gather in 2 large 20 gallon totes and sift as I fill them. I use 2 kiddy pools from the dollar store to dry the dirt before waxing. I add 1 gallon of sand to 5 gallons same as Zimmer. If the dirt/sand mix isn't completely dry it will dry as I heat it in the mixer. I normally do mine during a dry spell in August.
Glad ya liked it Zimmer.. Packs good don't it?

10-4 trappergbus! I was hesitant with adding in the sand (1 Gal. per 5) but went ahead last season and glad I did. Yes, INO it packs better. IMO the type of soil you use is absolutely critical to the consistency of the end product. Here in S.E. PA. I have a choice between light loamy top soil and heavier shale dirt - I use the heavier soil and void of all plant material. During processing my dirt is kept in 5 Gal. buckets w/o the lids - both when its wet and after its been dried - during processing and while it's stored ALL of my trap bedding (peat and waxed dirt) is NEVER exposed to any foreign odors and stored in a wood shed away from garage and barn. 3 yrs ago I stored peat in 30 Gal. galvanized trash cans in my barn - I have horses and there's usually a manure smell - also faint petroleum odor from the tractors. As a result I had digging problems - lasted about 2 wks until I had enough and started over w/ new fresh peat - digger problems stopped immediately.