How can you make a mouse trap from a bottle? - briefly
Cut the bottle’s neck off, invert the top, and fit it snugly into the base to form a funnel leading to a closed chamber; secure the joint with tape or a rubber band. Place bait at the narrow end, and when a mouse enters, the funnel collapses, trapping the animal inside.
How can you make a mouse trap from a bottle? - in detail
A practical mouse catcher can be fashioned from a standard plastic bottle with a few common items. The design relies on a simple lever mechanism that closes a funnel‑shaped entrance when a rodent enters.
Materials
- 1‑liter clear PET bottle
- Scissors or utility knife
- Thin wooden stick, metal wire, or sturdy straw (≈10 cm) for the trigger
- Small piece of cardboard or thick paper for a latch
- Peanut butter or another strong attractant
Construction steps
- Remove the bottle’s cap and clean the interior thoroughly.
- Cut the bottle near the base, leaving a 5‑cm section of the neck intact; this portion will serve as the trap’s funnel.
- Make a vertical slit (≈2 cm wide) on the side of the remaining neck, extending from the top down to the cut edge.
- Insert the trigger stick through the slit so it protrudes into the funnel interior and rests against the bottle’s inner wall.
- Secure the stick’s external end with a small piece of cardboard that can pivot upward, forming a latch. The latch should hold the stick in a raised position, keeping the funnel open.
- Apply a thin layer of peanut butter on the interior wall just beyond the slit, where a mouse will have to push against the stick to reach it.
- Position the trap where mouse activity is observed, ensuring the funnel points downward so the animal cannot escape once the latch releases.
Operation
When a mouse approaches the bait, it will push the stick inward. The force lifts the latch, allowing the stick to fall and close the funnel, trapping the rodent inside the bottle. The transparent container permits visual inspection and easy disposal.
Maintenance
- Check the trap daily; if a mouse is captured, wear gloves, slide a thick piece of cardboard under the bottle, invert it, and release the animal outdoors or dispose of it according to local regulations.
- Replace the bait and reset the latch for subsequent use.
This method provides an inexpensive, reusable solution that utilizes readily available household materials while avoiding harmful chemicals.