How can I make a mouse trap myself? - briefly
Use a small wooden board, a spring‑loaded bar, and a bait, securing the bar with a nail so it snaps shut when the mouse pulls a trigger attached to the bait. Position the trap along walls frequented by rodents and inspect it frequently.
How can I make a mouse trap myself? - in detail
A functional homemade mouse trap can be built from readily available items and operates reliably when assembled correctly.
Materials required:
- A sturdy wooden or plastic base (approximately 12 × 6 cm)
- A spring‑loaded bar or a flexible coat hanger bent into a lever
- Two small nails or screws for anchoring the trigger mechanism
- A piece of thin wire or strong string for the release cord
- A bait container (e.g., a small cup) and attractive food (peanut butter, cheese, or seeds)
- Optional: a small cloth bag or box to contain the captured rodent
Construction steps:
- Secure the lever to one end of the base using a nail, allowing it to pivot freely.
- Attach the spring or tensioned coat hanger to the opposite end of the lever, creating a snap‑back motion.
- Drill a small hole near the pivot point; thread the wire or string through this hole to form a trigger cord.
- Position the bait container on the base, directly in line with the lever’s resting position.
- Loop the trigger cord around the bait container so that any disturbance of the bait pulls the cord, releasing the lever.
- Test the mechanism by gently pulling the cord; the lever should snap shut with sufficient force to incapacitate a mouse.
- Place the trap in areas of known activity, near walls or entry points, and check it regularly.
Safety and effectiveness considerations:
- Ensure the lever’s motion is smooth; jagged edges may cause the trap to jam.
- Use a spring with enough tension to deliver a quick, humane strike but not so strong as to risk injury to the user.
- Replace the bait and reset the trap after each capture to maintain attraction.
- Dispose of captured rodents according to local regulations, using the cloth bag or box to avoid direct contact.
By following these precise steps, a reliable and inexpensive mouse capture device can be produced without specialized tools.