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Summer vermin control: 11 new pieces of kit, from air rifles to traps
From regulated PCP air rifles and humane squirrel traps to thermal scopes and 4G trap monitors, 11 pieces of kit built for summer pest control
Whether you’re managing woodland pests or stalking in low light, having the right gear makes all the difference. From compact, regulated air rifles and automated humane traps to ultra-sensitive thermal scopes and 4G remote trap monitors, this roundup highlights the latest high-performance equipment built for precision, reliability and field efficiency.
The 11 items below were chosen on editorial judgement and manufacturer specification rather than a head-to-head comparative test, and they are not directly comparable with one another: a folding bullpup, a spring trap and a cellular trap tag solve entirely different problems on the same piece of ground. All prices are RRP at the time of publication and may since have changed.
What should you look for in summer vermin control kit?
Portability and reliability, in that order. Summer pest control is done on foot, in cover, and often at the end of a long day, so the kit that gets used is the kit that is light enough to carry and simple enough to deploy without a rethink each time. That is why folding stocks, short barrels and carbon bottles dominate the air rifles below, and why the traps are the ones that set quickly and stay set.
After that it is a question of legality and welfare. Any lethal trap for grey squirrels must be an approved type, entrance sizes matter because they are what keep non-target wildlife out, and live catch traps have to be checked at least daily once they are deployed. Where you intend to shoot after dark, the optic decides how long the session lasts and how confident the identification is, so it is worth spending more there than on the rifle.
Compact PCP air rifles for close-range vermin control
All four are regulated pre-charged pneumatics, all four are available in .177 and .22, and all four have been built around getting into tight spaces – a loft, a grain store, the corner of a wood – rather than around a bench.
BSA XT-SL air rifle
A UK-manufactured sporting tactical PCP air rifle that blends modern design with classic British craftsmanship. This regulated rifle features a smooth sidelever action, a cold hammer-forged barrel and an adjustable polymer stock system. Complete with a 300cc carbon bottle, integrated onboard magazine storage, direct Foster filling connection, Picatinny rail and included moderator, it delivers class-leading accuracy backed by a five-year manufacturer warranty.
Air Arms S510 Core air rifle
Blending proven features from classic platforms, this sleek, regulated PCP air rifle delivers high performance and precision in a lightweight, affordable package. Weighing just 2.9kg and measuring 1,015mm in length, it features a smooth sidelever action, a compact 395mm barrel and an upgraded sound moderator. Available in .177 and .22 calibres with beech or walnut stock options, it provides up to 120 consistent shots per fill.
AirMaks Arms Katran SC air rifle
This ultra-compact, lightweight PCP air rifle features a folding stock design, reducing its length from 69.4cm down to just 44.8cm for maximum portability. Weighing only 1.6kg, it is equipped with a 100cc air cylinder, a smooth sidelever action and a two-stage externally adjustable trigger. Available in .177 and .22 calibres with sub-12ft/lb energy, it offers high-capacity magazines (up to 18 shots) and delivers up to 90 shots per fill. Numerous colourways available.
BRK Brocock Pathfinder XR air rifle
Building on the popular Ranger platform, this super-compact PCP air rifle features a lightweight 300cc carbon Kevlar bottle delivering over 200 shots per fill. Designed for rapid handling in tight spaces, it weighs 2.9kg and measures just 469mm with its folding stock collapsed. Equipped with a Huma-Air regulator, short 256mm barrel, slick sidelever action and removable self-indexing magazine, it provides maximum portability and consistent accuracy out to 30m. Available in .177 and .22.
Thermal and night-vision optics for shooting after dark
The two optics here sit at opposite ends of the budget, and the gap between them is largely the difference between seeing heat and seeing a picture. Both are light enough to leave on an air rifle.
HikMicro NEOS NH35L thermal scope
Designed for airguns and rimfires, this ultra-sensitive thermal scope features a sub-18mK NETD detector, AI-powered Image Pro 3.0 processing and a 0.49in AMOLED display. The scope offers a 1,800m detection range, an integrated 1,000m laser rangefinder and automated ballistic calculations. Compact at under 345mm and weighing 570g, the scope boasts a one-second startup, 1,000g recoil resistance, up to 9.5 hours of battery life and Wi-Fi app connectivity.
Pard Night Stalker Mini 2K riflescope
Combining a lightweight 455g, 300mm tube housing with advanced optics, this compact night-vision scope mounts easily via standard 30mm rings. Powered by a high-resolution 2560×1440 CMOS sensor and an 800×800 IPS display, it offers 3.0x magnification, a 35mm lens and side-focus control. Packed with smart features including Wi-Fi, auto-recording, gyroscope and HDMI, this scope delivers a clear sight picture at an attractive price point.
Humane traps for squirrels, small vermin and foxes
Two approved lethal traps for greys, a live catch box trap for larger vermin and a tunnel box that takes a Fenn. Whatever you set, it has to be an approved type for the species and it has to be checked, so factor the round into the decision as much as the price.
Goodnature A18 grey squirrel trap kit
This approved, poison-free lethal trap kit is designed for humane, multi-catch grey squirrel control in England, Wales and Scotland. Powered by CO2 canisters, it automatically resets itself up to 18 times per charge while letting despatched carcasses fall below for natural scavenging. The complete setup includes a digital strike counter, mounting hardware and a lure basket. Featuring a narrow 5.4cm entrance to protect non-target wildlife, it delivers continuous, hands-free woodland and garden pest management.
Procull squirrel trap
Designed in Britain, this humane spring-operated trap is approved for grey squirrel control across the UK. Designed for safety and ease of use, and weighing 1,100g, it features a self-contained mesh cubby with internal baffles to ensure optimum strike positioning without needing custom tunnels. Its innovative system engages the powerful killing spring after setup, while a gravity-independent pendular trigger allows flexible horizontal or vertical mounting.
Quill vermin trap box and Mk4 Fenn spring trap
This dark green, fishmeal-impregnated box humanely dispatches small vermin through a 60mm entry that deters larger animals such as stoats. Featuring easy side-loading, effortless cleaning, and secure Allen key access, it fits beneath compatible feeders.
Collins Nets fox trap
Designed for gamekeepers and farmers, this heavy-duty, single-entry live catch box trap offers reliable vermin control to protect livestock. Weighing 19kg and measuring 122 x 54 x 57cm, it features a durable silver construction that arrives flat-packed for easy assembly and set-up. Ideal for ground-based trapping with bait, this straightforward, reusable box trap provides an effective, humane pest control solution, requiring at least daily checks when deployed in the field.
Remote monitoring for traps out in the field
The single biggest cost of a trap line is the walking, and a cellular tag turns a daily round into a daily notification. It does not remove the legal duty to check, but it does tell you which trap to go to first.
Perdix PerdixPro 4G LPWA small trap tag
Designed for 24/7 remote animal trap management, this compact, ultra-rugged monitoring tag uses 4G LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular technology for reliable field use. Housed in an IP68 and IK06 weather-resistant casing, it is ideal for smaller traps and discreet setups. Powered by three AAA batteries lasting up to four years, it offers tilt or vibration activation options and flexible subscription packages.
Frequently asked questions
Which grey squirrel traps in this roundup are approved for UK use?
Both of the lethal squirrel traps here are approved types. The Goodnature A18 is approved for grey squirrel control in England, Wales and Scotland, and the Procull spring trap is approved for grey squirrel control across the UK. Any lethal trap you set for greys has to be an approved type for that species.
How often does a live catch trap have to be checked?
At least once a day. The Collins Nets fox trap is a live catch box trap and its specification states it requires at least daily checks when deployed in the field, which is the practical constraint on how many you can realistically run at once.
Why does the entrance size on a trap matter?
Because it is what keeps non-target animals out. The Goodnature A18 uses a narrow 5.4cm entrance so that wildlife other than grey squirrels cannot reach the strike, and the Quill vermin trap box uses a 60mm entry specifically to deter larger animals such as stoats from entering.
Which of these air rifles is the most compact to carry?
The AirMaks Arms Katran SC. Its folding stock takes it from 69.4cm down to 44.8cm and it weighs 1.6kg, which is the lightest here. The BRK Brocock Pathfinder XR is shorter still with the stock collapsed, at 469mm, but at 2.9kg it is nearly twice the weight.
How much do you need to spend on optics for shooting vermin after dark?
Less than you might think to get started. The Pard Night Stalker Mini 2K is £349 and gives a usable digital night-vision picture on a standard 30mm mount. Stepping up to genuine thermal, with a 1,800m detection range and a built-in rangefinder, means the HikMicro NEOS NH35L at £1,499.99.
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