That’s a nice catch

2nd day baited is always better than the 1st. And I always know I'll have something after a rain at night, preferably a light shower. Dry cat food for me, although when I work through this batch, I'm gonna try the store-brand fruit loops someone suggested on here - just to make it more "festive".

I have had good luck with the small marshmallows but mostly just use corn.

I have used all the baits listed above with great success over the last 15 yrs using Duke Dog Proof traps. I now like using a cottonball and then spray it with PAM cooking spray or fish attractant spray. The cooking spray keeps the trap working smoothly also. I have found with fire ants the scented cotton ball lasts longer and it won't melt away or swell up with rain. Reusable also if it is still in the trap.

I just use a few kernels of corn or protein. Same as what they've been stealing from the feeder.

What is crazy is that we have not big trees on our place. Just small mesquites. Where do they den?

I've found them in holes in creek banks and under the roots of trees and in between rocks.