How can you catch a mouse at home in a jar? - briefly
Place a clean, smooth‑sided jar with attractive bait and attach a narrow funnel or tilted cardboard so the mouse can enter but cannot exit. Once trapped, seal the jar, transport it outdoors, and release the animal at a safe distance.
How can you catch a mouse at home in a jar? - in detail
To trap a rodent with a jar inside a residence, follow these precise actions.
Materials
- Wide‑mouth glass or clear plastic jar (minimum 500 ml) with a smooth, vertical rim
- Small piece of cardboard or thick paper for a temporary lid
- Attractive bait such as peanut butter, cheese, or a seed mix
- Tape or rubber band for securing the temporary lid
- Gloves for handling the captured animal
Procedure
- Prepare the jar – Clean the interior to remove odors that might deter the mouse. Ensure the rim is free of cracks.
- Create a one‑way entry – Cut a circular opening in the cardboard slightly smaller than the jar’s mouth. Poke a narrow slit (≈3 mm) through the center of the cardboard; the slit should allow the mouse to push the bait through but not easily withdraw.
- Apply bait – Spread a thin layer of the chosen attractant on the slit’s interior edge. The scent should be strong enough to draw the mouse from a distance of 1–2 m.
- Position the trap – Place the jar on a flat surface near known mouse activity (e.g., along walls, behind appliances). Lay the baited cardboard over the jar’s opening, securing it with tape or a rubber band so it remains taut but can be displaced by the animal’s pressure.
- Monitor – Check the trap every 30 minutes during active periods (dusk to early morning). If the mouse enters, it will push the bait through the slit, causing the cardboard to slip and the jar to seal around its body.
- Secure the capture – Once the mouse is inside, slide a second piece of cardboard over the rim to prevent escape. Wear gloves and transport the sealed jar to a release site or humane euthanasia location, complying with local wildlife regulations.
Safety and Ethical Notes
- Wear gloves to avoid disease transmission.
- Release the animal at least 1 km from the home to discourage return.
- Avoid using toxic baits; choose edible attractants to keep the method humane.
By adhering to these steps, a household can effectively capture a mouse in a jar without resorting to lethal traps or chemicals.