How can you make a mouse trap from a bucket? - briefly
Place a bucket on its side, attach a baited wooden dowel as a lever that flips the bucket when the mouse pulls it, and position the bucket so it tips and traps the mouse inside. Cover the opening with a lid or mesh to keep the rodent from escaping.
How can you make a mouse trap from a bucket? - in detail
To construct an effective rodent trap using a standard 5‑gallon bucket, follow these precise steps.
Gather the required components: a clean bucket with a smooth interior, a wooden dowel or sturdy stick (approximately 12 cm long), a small piece of plastic or metal rod for a trigger, a piece of cardboard or stiff paper, a bait such as peanut butter or cheese, and adhesive tape or glue.
Prepare the trigger mechanism:
- Cut a narrow slot near the bucket’s rim, just wide enough for the dowel to pass through without excessive friction.
- Attach the trigger rod to the dowel’s lower end with tape, ensuring the rod can pivot freely when pressure is applied.
- Position the cardboard piece on the bucket’s interior wall, forming a ramp that leads toward the bait placed at the bottom.
Assemble the trap:
- Insert the dowel through the slot so that the pivoting rod rests on the ramp, holding the cardboard in place.
- Secure the dowel’s upper end to the outside of the bucket with tape, creating a lever that will release the ramp when the rod is disturbed.
- Apply a small amount of bait to the cardboard’s lower edge, ensuring the scent draws the mouse onto the ramp.
Deploy the device:
- Place the bucket in an area of known rodent activity, with the opening facing a wall or corner to limit escape routes.
- Monitor the trap regularly; when the mouse steps onto the ramp, its weight shifts the trigger rod, causing the ramp to collapse and the animal to fall into the bucket.
After capture, release the mouse at a distance of at least 100 m from the premises, or dispose of it according to local regulations. Clean the bucket thoroughly before reuse.