How do you make a homemade mouse trap?

How do you make a homemade mouse trap? - briefly

Gather a sturdy cardboard tube, a small wooden block, a spring steel coat‑hanger bent into a lever, and a dab of cheese or peanut butter as bait. Position the bait inside the tube, secure the lever to the block so it snaps shut when the mouse pushes the tube, then release the lever to trap the rodent.

How do you make a homemade mouse trap? - in detail

A practical DIY mouse trap can be assembled with common household items and simple tools. The following sections outline each stage of construction, deployment, and post‑capture handling.

Materials

• A sturdy wooden coat hanger or a length of 12‑inch steel wire
• A small plastic bottle (500 ml) or a shallow cardboard box
• Two 1‑inch nails or thumbtacks
• A rubber band or strong elastic cord
• A piece of cardboard or thick paper (approximately 4 × 4 inches)
• Bait such as peanut butter, cheese, or dried fruit
• Gloves for safe handling

Construction steps

1. Form the trigger

   • Bend the coat hanger into a “U” shape, leaving a 2‑inch lever arm that can pivot upward.
   • Secure one end of the lever to the bottle’s rim or box edge with a nail, allowing free movement.

2. Attach the spring mechanism

   • Loop the rubber band around the free end of the lever and anchor the opposite side to the bottle’s side wall.
   • Adjust tension so the lever snaps back when released.

3. Create the holding platform

   • Cut the cardboard into a small square and glue it to the interior base of the container.
   • Position the platform directly under the lever’s tip.

4. Set the bait

   • Smear a thin layer of peanut butter on the platform.
   • Ensure the bait does not touch the lever, so the mouse must step onto the platform to reach it.

5. Finalize the trap

   • Test the mechanism by gently lifting the lever; release should cause a rapid downward motion that traps the mouse against the container walls.
   • Reinforce any loose joints with additional nails or tape.

Placement

• Locate the trap along walls, behind appliances, or near known rodent pathways.
• Position the baited side facing the wall, as mice prefer to travel close to surfaces.
• Keep the trap out of reach of children and pets; use a covered area if necessary.

Capture and disposal

• Check the trap every 12 hours.
• When a mouse is caught, wear gloves, slide a piece of cardboard under the container, and invert the trap to release the animal into a secure release box.
• Dispose of the mouse according to local regulations; sanitize the trap with diluted bleach before reuse.

Maintenance

• Replace bait after each capture.
• Inspect the rubber band for wear; replace if elasticity diminishes.
• Periodically tighten nails to prevent loosening.

By following these precise instructions, a reliable, low‑cost mouse capture device can be built, deployed, and maintained with minimal risk and maximum effectiveness.