Inexpensive mouse trap

[Pilot]

That's pretty elaborate. I just run a wire thru the can and suspend it over the top of the bucket. The way you have it, I wonder if mice in the water can reach the axle and then jump out of the bucket.

 

[Pixguy]

The way that I've seen it and having it work for me was to have a dowel across the bucket and put the can on that dowel.

Not sure if all mice will have the guts to jump for their PB?? :licking::licking:

 

[Lumkin]

I have a similar one and found putting the climb stick to the end of the rolling can so the little beasts can make a short step helps. if you haven't got any soon move to a wall edge a put some light peanut butter scent up the climber. if your in a outbuilding that may freeze or if the bucket can be left for weeks put in some old engine coolant it will keep from freezing of course and tends to preserve the corps so it does not smell to bad:licking: That one is nice my stick just sits there not mounted:thumbsup:

 

[JDgreen227]

I use a 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe connector instead of the soup can.

 

[Travelover]

.......... if your in a outbuilding that may freeze or if the bucket can be left for weeks put in some old engine coolant it will keep from freezing .......

Be aware that antifreeze tastes sweet and kills any animal (like dogs and cats) that drink it.

 

[Ford850]

OK all, I finally got my mouse bucket built. First night and no mice..hmm wonder if they have too much grass seed hid. Does this look OK or do I need to addjust any thing?

It looks ok as long as the can spins easily. I've always used a stiff wire for the axle and kept it higher in the bucket so they jump over to it instead of down so far, but I think your's will work the same. You'll know if it isn't spinning enough if your bait disappears and you haven't caught anything. I keep my traps right up against a wall though. Mice usually travel within an inch of the outside walls so you'll get more traffic if you set traps there.

 

[DDT]

I did not get time to check it tonight. My shop is heated so it does not freeze, no pets get in there. The axle was a 3/8 scap rod, juice can, I tack welded a 1/4" washer each side of the can and left 1/2" clearance so the can rolls very freely. I wondered if I had the can too low or too short of walk way. I can raise the can easy enough if that would help. I have not seen any measurements so I was not sure where all parts clearance needed to be.
I might move it to a different spot.
Those darn critters keep getting in my seed bags and makes a mess then I loose a lot of seed.

 

[DDT]

Well I got ONE at this time

 

[Travelover]

Well I got ONE at this time

Good start. They make great pets. :laughing:

 

[Frosty2]

Been using the same basic set-up as the one with two ramps. I put a foam plate suspended on a wire that touches both sides of the bucket when plate is flipped. Put a little peanut butter on both short sides and it will reset when a mouse walks over to get the pb and falls in. Google bucket trap for the plans. Have gone to my property to find as many as ten in the water filled bucket. When I take the mouse soup out and dump it it doesn't stay there to long. That's why I didn't want to use poisons, afraid I'd kill the other animals on my property that don't bother my things. The little guys have ruined a few sleeping bags, have stolen toilet paper, ruined a tarp, made a nest in the hopper of my '28 Economy, and even decided to take up residence in the exhaust pipes of a few vintage m/c's that are stored there.