How can you catch a mouse with a bottle? - briefly
Place bait at the bottom of a clear bottle, tilt the bottle so its opening faces upward and set it where mice travel; the animal enters for the food and cannot climb out because the smooth interior offers no grip. This simple trap secures the rodent without additional equipment.
How can you catch a mouse with a bottle? - in detail
Capturing a rodent with a glass or plastic container requires a simple trap, bait, and careful placement. The method relies on the animal’s instinct to investigate food and its inability to escape once the opening is sealed.
Materials
- Clear bottle or jar with a neck wide enough for the mouse to enter (e.g., a 500 ml soda bottle)
- Small piece of food that attracts mice (peanut butter, cheese, or seed mix)
- Sticky tape or rubber band
- Scissors or a cutter
- Disposable gloves for hygiene
Procedure
- Remove the bottle’s cap and clean the interior to eliminate odors that could deter the rodent.
- Cut a small slit in the side of the bottle, just above the base, creating an entry tunnel approximately 2 cm wide and 3 cm high.
- Apply a thin layer of bait to the interior surface near the cut, ensuring the scent is visible from outside.
- Position the bottle on a flat surface where mouse activity has been observed—near walls, behind appliances, or along known runways.
- Secure the bottle’s opening with tape or a rubber band, leaving the slit uncovered. The mouse will enter through the slit, attracted by the scent.
- Once the mouse steps onto the interior platform, it will become trapped because its rear end cannot pass through the narrow opening.
- After capture, wear gloves and transport the bottle to a release site at least 100 m away, then gently tip the container to free the animal. Alternatively, use humane euthanasia if required by local regulations.
Safety and Effectiveness
- Wear gloves to prevent disease transmission.
- Use a clear container to monitor progress without disturbing the trap.
- Replace bait daily if no capture occurs, as scent potency diminishes.
- Avoid placing traps in areas with children or pets; secure the bottle to prevent accidental opening.
By following these steps, a mouse can be confined using only a bottle, providing a low‑cost, non‑lethal solution for pest control.