How to Make Waxed Dirt

1 cup of Flake Wax is approximately 1/4 pound. Ten pounds of wax will treat approximately 15 gallons of dirt. Making waterproof and freeze-proof dirt is easy if you follow a few simple steps. Clean equipment should be used at all times to avoid contaminating the trap bedding material.

First, you will need powder dry, sifted soil. Since sand won't absorb wax, soil that is relatively free of sand works best. Soil that is relatively free of organic matter works best. Collecting your dirt during a dry period will minimize the drying time. For drying your soil, spreading it on a sheet of black plastic in a spot that receives full sun works great. A day or two is all it takes to completely dry. Cover up the soil each night to protect it from dew that might collect and uncover it each morning around sunrise.

After the dirt is dry, sift it to remove any rocks, leaves, roots, etc. to have the dirt completely pulverized so the wax can coat each grain. The finer the dirt is pulverized, the better it will work. Now mix 2 cups (1/2 pound) of flake wax with each gallon of dry, sifted, and pulverized dirt. The mixture is now ready to be heated so the wax can be absorbed by the dirt to make it waterproof.

There are many different ways to treat your dirt. Tumbling your dirt seems to work best if you have the equipment available.

WAXED DIRT WITH A CONCRETE MIXER:
Start with the basics outline above, i.e.: dry, cleaned, and sifter dirt and flaked wax at the ratio of 3 cups (3/4 pound) of wax to one gallon of prepared dirt. Pour the measured dirt into the concrete mixer and turn the mixer on. Use a torch to heat the drum of the mixer. Once the dirt is warm, slowly add the wax and ensure that it mixes well as it is added. When the mixture suits you and there is no visible wax, turn off the heat and let the mixture tumble until cool.

SOLAR HEATING METHOD:
Set up the plywood in the full sun and cover it with a sheet of heavy black plastic. Spread a layer of your dirt-wax mixture about two inches thick on the black plastic. Cover the dirt-wax mixture with a sheet of clear plastic and prop it up about a foot or two above the mixture and let the sun heat the mixture until the wax is absorbed by the dirt (usually around 2–4 hours). Placing a black tarp over the top will help draw in solar heat. You may also find it beneficial to warm the dirt with a torch to help encourage the wax to melt. The dirt is now completely weatherproof – it won't rust your traps and is waterproof, freeze-proof, and free of contamination. Store the dirt in plastic bags or clean garbage cans until you need it.

OVEN HEATING METHOD:
Caution: Only use an oven that is self-cleaning, or the dirt will probably be saturated with food odors that will render it worthless as a trap bedding material. First, set your oven on clean and turn it on. After the clean cycle is completed, place uncovered pans of the dirt-wax in the oven and set it on 300 degrees. It will go faster if you don't have the dirt more than two or three inches thick. Stirring every 30 minutes or so will also speed up the heating time. When the mixture is thoroughly heated, it can be removed, cooled, and stored.

HEAT LAMP HEATING METHOD:
In a protected spot like a basement, shop, or garage spread a sheet of heavy black plastic on your working service and then spread two inches of your dirt-wax mixture on the plastic. Now suspend a large heat lamp about 2 feet over each 4x4 section of dirt. (If using a 4x8 sheet of plywood, 2 heat lamps will be required.) Surround the whole setup with plastic or plywood to help hold in the heat. Heat the dirt-wax mixture until you can no longer see any wax in the dirt. Stirring will speed up the process. Cool and store until use.

The preferred methods of making waxed dirt are one of the added heat source options. In some areas of the country there is just not enough solar power to melt the wax properly.