How would you bid it? Per day? Per rat? Rates?

Here is the weather for the foreseable future.



I would assume there are 20-30 rats. I would not be surprised to be wrong, I am not much of a rat trapper, but I have caught them in the past. I know the lake, and I know people that have trapped it in the past. Here is a screen shot to show its size. 1.4. miles all the way around.



I look at it like this. Summer trapping is not my most favorite thing to do. It's gonna be hot (90° and 50% humidity every day), there will be snakes, there will be chiggers, ticks and mosquitos and time away from my family. I don't think I would even touch it for less than $100 per day. But if they wanna wait until trapping season I would most likely do it for free. Any input is much appreciated, I have never done ADC before, any adivce from those of you who have I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks guys

I would suggest the latter..waiting until trapping season;but if they go for the price[100.00 per day] go for it now.

Might want to check with MO. ADC laws. Here in Illinois trapping rules and ADC rules are much different.

ADC work can be year 'round. Highly recommend talking to BOTH your Co's Agents, to make sure they're on board, and get instructions for disposal. NO KEEPING FUR, unless they say so, and you might check to see if anybody could use them for instructional; purposes, ie: Rondy demo's, Scouts etc.

I will for sure hammer things out with the Conservation Agents before any traps are set.

I was just curious what the ball park for a job like this would be, as I have NEVER done ADC work before. I do not want to do it for free, I also do not want to want to be unreasonable. Was just curious if I was close, wanted some input from guys who have done similar jobs. Thanks for the replies, feel free to add more

What do you want to make per hour? How many hours will you be there checking traps? How long of a drive each way? Gas costs? Wear and tear on your truck and equipment? Insurance?

If you wait until the fall trapping season you will be doing it for free.

Your price is ridiculously low if you want to do this for a real business. Do you need a license and certification? Equipment, fuel, bait, lure, overhead, and time are all expensive.

You say that you are not much of a rat trapper. Do you have the skill and equipment to do the job properly and give good results? If no, don’t take the job. If yes, what are your skills worth? What are the results worth to the customer? What do you need to charge to be in business? You can’t run a business to break even. Remember that your fees are taxable so you lose a big chunk.

Best wishes with this job. Keep us informed.

Do they want them eradicated or just managed?

oh the fur trapper mind set for nuisance work

That mindset does not work for long. Learn to resent the work and go broke.

We CAN'T keep ANYTHING from out of season ADC jobs, no glands or meat even.

What does your laws allow?

If you can keep the meat and glands you'd get a lil bonus from the $100/day fee.......which is THE LOWEST I'd go.

Appreciate all the feed back, I am the 1st to admit I need help, it's why I am here.

I believe I can do the job. I have the equipment to take care of the issue.

My understanding is they want them gone.

I'm still waiting on the phone call, having doubts it is coming. I wanted to be prepared. Again, thank you all, I am trying to compile information so I can make the best decision.

My mistake, I meant I didn't want to do it for free in the heat of summer.

I hope the job goes great for you and it is profitable. I get offers that I can have the summer fur in exchange for the trapping work. Same here, we cannot keep, use, or sell anything from nuisance work.

Keep us informed. Best wishes!

For those of you who have taken on similar jobs, do you find it more profitable to charge per day or by the critter? I would think by the day would be best, but agian, I have never done this before.

I have seen that many think $100 per day is too low, what would be the high side? $300 per day? $500 per day?

This would be a side job, I have a day job that I am not looking to replace, but I would welcome trapping on the side, if it was worth it. I came here to ask, because I have no experience, I am trying to find the place in between too cheap, and unrealistic.

This lake is 5 miles from my house. Again, any info on how you all would bid it would be greatly appreciated.




This is a great point. And it made me realize the error of that thought process. IF they won't pay me to trap it, then I won't trap it, no matter the time of year. Thanks Ole.

Please reread what guys have already suggested. You have been given excellent suggestions here.

Analyze the costs of doing business, time expenditure, expected profit margin, and risk factors. If you are serious about this after you truly analyze your skills, make a detailed list of equipment owned and needed, and develop accurate time estimates about every element of a trapping job, research the relevant licensing and nuisance trapping regulations of your state and local areas, then get specific advice from a lawyer and an accountant. Hire the best so you can rely on their advice.

Eventually you will be able to look at a potential job and plug in the variables in order to give an accurate price estimate so that you are fairly compensated and all expenses are covered and you are happy to do the work.

Best wishes.

Michael, sometimes dealing with strangers (the fine fellas on here) can be frustrating. No-one wants to give the detailed answer you're looking for, for several reasons. The biggest reason being that they haven't seen the place in person.

Some rat jobs are easy and don't even require putting more than boots on. Others you'd feel like you could use SCUBA gear.

If it were me. Just me. And if it were the 5 miles from home. I'd probably charge $200 to set it up and then I'd go to 80 or 100 per hour which includes a little for gas.

The problem with per animal is that you live by the sword and die by the sword. It can be rough toward the end when you're spending time on an empty trap....for days at a time. For free.

Here's also the best piece of advice I ever got. I think I was a teenager trapping rats out of a catfeesh pond. Guy told me "if you charge a good penny, and don't knock them rats out like Mike Tyson, the whole county will know your name."

$100 per day may not be good at first when you're setting up but it will get better as time goes on.

Also, the first question people will have is "We'll, how many hours or days will it take?" Remember, money doesn't grow on trees for the customer. If that's the case, you need to be prepared to know your strengths and weaknesses. K ow your limitations because they're directly tied to your reputation.

If faced with that question, be prepared to give one lump sum. Say...$1,200. That sounds a bit low to some and a bit high to others.

30 rats? If you're correct, $1,200 may be a bargain to a fast and efficient trapper and may get to the finish line in a week.

But if a trapper is dabbling in rat trapping, he could take 2 months to earn that $1,200.

Weigh your experience and self expectations and price it from there.

I'll close with this.

I know you personally. You're like a brother to me. You have a good day job and a great family. You're the type of guy who could say "I'll do it for $750 and you'll have a ball doing it with family. The experience and education you'll gain from it will be priceless.

If you pick up rat trapping like you habe canine and cats, you'll be rocking it in no time!

Aix, thank you for the phone call, was a huge help.

John, your response is also a wealth of knoweledge and much appreciated.

I needed some guidance, you have both provided that. Thanks to you both.

Will update as more information comes available.

Pictures or it didn't happen, Michael. If we don't get pictures, I'm posting a picture of the pink thongs you were wearing in Texas. Lol.