Harm from mice to humans
In a relatively short period of time, mice can cause serious damage to stored vegetables and fruits and spoil cereals and pasta. Pests chew wires, make nests in various places and carry dangerous infections. Diseases caused by them include:
- leptospirosis,
- hemorrhagic fever,
- tularemia,
- pseudotuberculosis,
- salmonellosis,
- helminthiasis
These diseases can be transmitted:
- by mouse bites,
- in direct contact with their feces,
- by consuming contaminated food or drinks,
- through the bites of parasites that live on rodents,
- when inhaling air containing infectious agents.
The pests are incredibly prolific - they can bear their first offspring as early as the eighth week after their birth, and replenish the population five to ten times each year. On average, an individual lives for about a year in natural conditions. It is surprising that rodents have not yet overrun the entire planet with such indicators. This does not happen only because the total number of mice is regulated by both natural factors and human intervention.
Option #5: Tunnel Trap
The entrance hole of the tunnel rat trap is made in the form of a valve with sharp petals. The operating principle of such a device is as follows:
Such structures are often used to catch courts, mice and rats in garden plots - in this case, the structure is made from a piece of pipe, at each end of which a valve is installed. The trap is then installed in the underground wormhole.
In the end, it doesn’t matter from which side the mole (or rat) approaches the trap - the animal will still be caught
It is also useful to read: The best types of rat traps for rodent control
Here is another example of a trap of this type:
Which mousetrap is better to buy?
Before you buy a mousetrap, you need to decide exactly whether you are ready to radically destroy pests (take their lives) or would you prefer to use more humane methods.
For physical extermination, modern electric mousetraps are used - expensive and very effective - as well as compact mousetraps. For animal lovers, there are inexpensive and easy-to-use traps or innovative ultrasonic repellers. The latter are expensive and require long-term use.
Next, when choosing mousetraps, you need to take into account the ease of preparation for work - the simpler the better. And, of course, pay attention to how you will have to remove the rodent from the mousetrap - gloves will be needed or the manufacturer has taken care of the hygiene of disposal.
When choosing a repeller, consider the following:
Impact area
It is indicated for empty space, so you need a device whose range of action is greater than the area of the room. Concrete walls, furniture and textiles absorb ultrasound waves, reducing efficiency.
Ultrasonic Wave Frequency
It is better when it changes automatically from time to time so that rodents cannot adapt.
Power supply
Repellers powered by electricity are more effective and have a longer service life. Battery-powered, self-contained devices are less efficient.
Flashes of light
Their presence increases the effectiveness of the device in repelling mice.
All rodent control devices and devices are generally safe for people and pets, except hamsters, guinea pigs, rats and mice.
Recommendations: 10 Best Repellents
12 Best Insect Repellents
16 Best Mosquito Repellents
How to make a mousetrap with your own hands
You can get rid of mice in your home by purchasing one (or several for greater effectiveness) of the industrial-made traps listed above. But what should you do if rodents surprise you late in the evening, or store-bought traps and live traps don’t work properly? Making a quick mousetrap from available materials is not as difficult as it seems, you just need a little patience and ingenuity.
There is an improved version of the cage mousetrap: the so-called live trap
Making a mousetrap using a plastic bottle
There are many options for catching mice using a plastic bottle. Depending on the location of objects in the house, the habitats of rodents and other factors, you can modify and vary the method of making and installing traps, you just need a little imagination.
How to catch a mouse right in a bottle
The easiest way:
- Take a plastic bottle.
- For reliability, you can lubricate the walls inside the container with vegetable oil.
- Place bait.
- Secure the bottle at an angle so that the mouse can climb into it from the floor or other surface.
A simple and reliable mousetrap can be made from a plastic bottle
Plastic design for catching mice
Complicated way:
- Take the bottle.
- Cut it in half.
- Lubricate both parts with oil on the inside.
- Place bait.
- Place the upper part in the lower part with the neck down, securing the structure with paper clips.
A mouse trap can be made from a cut plastic bottle
Trap from a bottle and string
For this method you will need a thin but strong rope.
Algorithm of actions:
Take a plastic bottle
Tie a rope up to 50 cm long to the neck. The length of the rope should not exceed 50 cm. Place bait in the container. The bait is placed inside the bottle. Attach the other end of the rope to the table with tape. One end of the rope is attached to the table. Place the bottle on the edge of the table in a horizontal position, while it is important to balance it correctly. You need to install the bottle so that it does not roll anywhere
Mousetrap made from a bucket and a plastic bottle
To make it you need to do the following:
- Take a small plastic bottle.
- Use an awl to make holes in the lid and at the end.
- Insert a knitting needle or a straight piece of wire 1–2 mm in diameter into the holes.
- Attach bait to the bottle.
- Grease a bucket with oil or fill it halfway with water.
- Place the bottle on top of the knitting needle (wire).
- Place a piece of board against the bucket.
When caught in a trap, the mouse ends up in a bucket of water
Trap from a cut bottle
Another option for making your own trap:
- Take the bottle.
- On the side where the bottom is located, cut strips 3 cm wide and half its circumference long.
- Sharpen them and bend them inside the bottle. This way, the animal that gets inside will not be able to get out.
- Place a piece of chocolate or a loaf soaked in sunflower oil in the trap.
Video: how to make a trap from a plastic bottle
https://youtube.com/watch?v=VUjk59EIE1A%3Ffeature%3Doembed
An easy way to catch a mouse in a bucket
A very simple but effective “trap” can be made from an ordinary bucket:
- Fill it halfway with water.
- Place it at the edge of a table or chair.
- Place a school ruler with bait on the edge of the surface above the container, maintaining balance so that the structure does not fall into the bucket.
Before the mouse reaches the bait, it will fall into a bucket of water
How to catch a mouse with a jar
The design is very unstable, but nevertheless can be very effective. You need to do the following:
- Take a jar and a five-ruble coin.
- Attach the bait to the inside of the container using a piece of double-sided tape.
- Place the jar upside down on the edge of the coin.
Instead of a jar, you can use a wide glass or any other container with smooth edges
Trap with glue
To make it, you will first need to purchase glue in the store that is designed specifically for catching rodents. You can make a mousetrap as follows:
- Take a cardboard.
- Apply glue to the surface.
- Place a piece of fish, chocolate or bread with vegetable oil in the center.
The trap is made with glue designed specifically for catching mice
Which mousetrap is better? How They Work: An Overview of Trap Types
Behind a large number of designs and manufacturers, there are only four types of mouse traps, and we will now analyze them.
Ordinary mousetraps. The simplest type of trap that is familiar to us from childhood or from cartoons. The cheapest option is a classic wooden mousetrap with an iron bracket. The bait is pinned onto the “fishing rod”, and the mouse comes to it. As soon as she tries to take the food with her, the bracket will slam shut and pin her down. The mechanism is quite strong and can kill an animal or injure a person who handles it carelessly.
In addition to wooden ones, they now produce plastic and metal traps for rats, which in appearance may differ significantly from the classic model, but retain the same principle.
“Live” traps. This trap does not kill the rodent, but only keeps it in a small enclosure. Suitable for those for whom killing an animal, even a pest, is unacceptable. A caught mouse is simply released away from the house. In addition, this way you can show it to children and teach them humanism by your own example.
Glue traps for mice. They effectively solve the question: how to catch a mouse without a mousetrap. They are boards, trays or slats with glue. They are effective at holding a mouse, although they are unlikely to hold a rat for long. Their disadvantage is action. A mouse caught in the glue, trying to get out, begins to twitch violently and squeak, creating noise. The glue is non-poisonous and will not kill the rodent, but if a mouse gets into the trap at night, you will have to get up and do something about it, because it will be difficult to fall asleep while listening to the squeaking.
Electronic mouse traps. The most effective trap was invented relatively recently. The advantages of an electronic device are obvious: a mouse or rat runs into a trap in search of food and receives an electric shock, dying quickly and painlessly. Perfectly solves the problem: how to catch a mouse in the house without blood and chaos. In addition, electronic traps are convenient and practical for large premises and food warehouses, as they can be used for a long time without recharging.
Mousetrap type | Advantages | Flaws |
Common mousetrap | very cheap | doesn't kill quickly |
“Live” trap (live trap) | cheap and don't kill | you need to take it away and release the mouse |
Glue trap | cheap | the mouse may squeak and scurry around for several days |
Electronic trap | kill quickly with an electric discharge, without blood or dirt, the charge is enough for a hundred electric shocks | dears, do not use outdoors without special protection from water |
DIY mousetrap made of wood
Do-it-yourself mousetrap made of wood It is more difficult to make a mousetrap from a wooden block, but such a product also lasts much longer, and its efficiency is high.
Manufacturing stages:
- Take a wooden block 10 cm long and 5 cm wide.
- Drill a hole in the block at least 2 cm in diameter with a depth of 7-8 cm.
- Make a cut along one side of the block (width 3-5 mm).
- Drill 3 small holes, placing them perpendicular to the axis of the large hole.
- Bend a ring with an “eye” from the wire.
- Make a spring of 3 turns from spring wire, leaving 7-9 cm at the ends.
- Tie a fishing line or strong thread to the ring.
- Thread the fishing line into 2 small holes one by one and secure.
- Place the ring into the place where the cut was made so that the entrance to the large hole remains free.
- Insert one end of the wire spring into the last small hole, and thread the other through the “ear” of the ring.
The mousetrap is ready, all that remains is to pour nuts or seeds into the large hole and wait for guests. The mousetrap works according to the following principle: the animal follows the smell of the bait, chews off the fishing line that interferes with the passage, the ring falls and pinches the mouse.
Bank and coin
To build a trap, take a base (a book, a wooden or metal plate), a half-liter jar, a coin (50 kopecks) and a treat. Place the prepared base where mice often appear, place the bait on top and cover it with a jar.
Now carefully fix the coin between the neck of the jar and the base. The resulting space is quite enough for a mouse to get through when it comes to the smell of the bait.
When the rodent is trapped, it will definitely touch the coin with its tail, and the jar will fall on top of it. All you have to do is turn the container over and take the uninvited guest out of the house.
But such a mousetrap has one drawback: when it slams shut, the rodent will have virtually no air. Therefore, it is better to place the trap on a board or piece of iron to hear the noise.
Mousetrap from a jar
A jar mousetrap is one of the simplest devices. To do this, you need to take a glass jar with a volume of 1-2 liters. Inside, attach bait to the tape - a piece of lard or sausage. Place the jar upside down, propping it up on one side with a 5 ruble coin. To do this, the coin must be placed on its edge. The device is ready to use!
The result is a rather shaky structure that the mouse will inevitably topple over. The bait should be attached at a distance of 10-12 cm from the neck. The point is that the mouse, trying to get food, jumps onto the walls. Then the jar will swing, the coin will fall and slam the structure.
The entire structure should stand on a sheet of cardboard.
Trap failures:
- You can catch one mouse in one device
- The trap doesn't always spring shut
A greedy mouse will not leave the jar without food, which will help it stay alive until you arrive.
Step-by-step instructions for the simplest mousetraps
- Place food in a regular plastic bottle;
- place it on a wooden board at an angle so that the neck is raised;
- for balance, clamp it by stretching a metal rod with a ring inside;
- when the rodent gets into the bottle, it will tilt, and the mouse will no longer be able to get out of this trap, but will remain alive.
- Place the bait in a plastic container closer to the bottom, and place the bottle itself on the edge of some surface so that half of the container does not rest on anything on the upper side;
- tie the neck to something, that is, hang a weight so that the mousetrap does not end up on the floor. The parasite, having smelled the treat, will fall into the trap through the cut hole or neck, the container will not maintain balance and will sink, and your parasite will be inside.
When using such traps, you should remember that pests are excellent jumpers, therefore, it is important not to miss the moment when the captive escapes.
- Cut off the top of the plastic bottle;
- cut slits in it in the shape of petals; they must be folded inward;
- Place a few different foods at the bottom of the container that attract parasites, and place the trap in places where rodents live.
The animal will smell the food from the bait and fall into the trap, but will never get out.
You can make a more ingenious trap from a bottle.
Prevention of occurrence
Owners of private houses and residents of lower floors should be especially careful: the risk of encountering dangerous rodents increases. Following simple rules will help prevent the penetration of gray pests.
How to proceed:
- seal cracks in baseboards and floors, replace dried out trims;
- call sanitary services for unscheduled deratization if rodents are actively breeding in the basement of a high-rise building;
- maintain cleanliness and order in the home, do not clutter the pantry;
- Take out the trash on time and do not accumulate food waste;
- thoroughly wipe the dining table, sweep away crumbs, never leave food in open containers overnight;
- do not store flour, pasta, cereals for future use: bulk products often spoil, harmful bugs and rodents contaminate them with their excrement;
- If mice frequently enter an apartment, cellar or private house, use an ultrasonic repeller. The modern device will reliably protect residential and utility rooms from gray pests. Repellers are effective not only against mice, but also drive rats out of their homes.
When mice appear, you should not rely only on pesticides. Many owners successfully use trapping containers made from scrap materials. The article contains answers to the question: “How to make a mouse trap with your own hands?” Through simple experiments, you can choose the best option for a home trap for catching nimble pests.
Option #1: Tilting Trap
The operating principle of this design is that the animal, approaching the bait, falls into the trap. This mechanism can be implemented in many ways.
Here's the simplest one:
- Make a tunnel out of cardboard (you can also use a piece of wide plastic pipe);
- Place it on the edge of the table so that half of the tunnel overhangs the edge (it helps to lightly tape it to the table so the rat can't move it);
- Place bait at the very edge of the tunnel;
- Place a barrel or deep bucket under the site of the expected capsize.
The animal, attracted by the smell of the bait, will climb along the tunnel, knock it over at the edge of the table and fall into the container with it. The video below shows how this happens:
Agree, what could be simpler?
There may be several options for making such a homemade rat trap. For example, a tilting bridge can be placed directly on the edge of a bucket, and a ladder can be connected to it:
For this purpose, you can use a piece of whatman paper with slits to cover the bucket. The rat climbs onto the Whatman paper for the bait and falls through the slits into the bucket:
By the way, you can make a mousetrap using the same principle with your own hands from a plastic bottle. In this case, a bottle with an open neck is placed on the edge of the table (or you can make a special inlet hole), bait is placed in it, and the bottle is tied by the neck with a thread to something heavy on the table itself. The mouse climbs into the bottle, halfway to the bait, knocks it over with its weight, and the entire trap with the prey hangs on a thread:
Inhumane approach to rodent extermination
Poisons and chemicals intended to poison mice have a number of disadvantages:
- addiction of individuals to poison;
- refusal of bait;
- poisoning of pets.
And the most significant drawback is the death of the rodent from poisoning in a place inaccessible to humans, followed by the unpleasant smell of decomposition for a fairly long period of time.
Read a question from a reader - What should you do if a rat eats poison and dies somewhere in the house and it stinks?
A humane solution to the rodent problem
Gentle ways to get rid of creatures are ultrasonic repellers and a contactless trap-container, which, if caught, remains alive and well.
More bloodthirsty methods are glue fishing, chemical poisoning and mechanical traps.
A modern invention - an electronic mousetrap - is the most humane, so to speak, method of exterminating pests, since it leads to the instant destruction of an individual without suffering. You can also make a humane mousetrap with your own hands from available materials!
Operating principle of an electronic mousetrap
A modern electronic mousetrap is a specialized trap for small rodents that releases a strong electric current when the animal gets inside. Unlike ultrasonic repellers, traps destroy mice, which helps to completely clean the room of toothy pests.
The operating principle of an electronic mousetrap is extremely simple: a rodent, lured by the aroma of a treat, climbs inside the trap and receives an instantly fatal discharge of electric current with a power of 8000 V.
In addition, the design of the mousetrap is designed in such a way that the mouse is attracted to the rounded shape of the entrance to the trap, this reminds the animal of gnawed passages. And together with the fragrant bait, these factors do not give the rodent a chance to pass by.
What types of mousetraps are there?
For better visibility, here is a brief description of the main types of mousetraps used to control rodents:
- Mousetrap on a spring. The simplest and cheapest option. The spring is tensioned and the bait is placed nearby. The mouse, pulling the bait, activates the spring, and it slams the animal;
- Traps. The principle of operation is the same as that of a spring mousetrap, there is a slight difference in design;
- Cage mousetraps. A gentle method in which the animal remains unharmed and can be released;
- Glue. This is precisely one of the most cruel methods of extermination. The animal, stuck to the trap, dies a long and painful death from hunger and dehydration;
- Homemade devices. Our people are rich in wisdom and worldly tricks. Many craftsmen are able to invent something of their own to combat rodents, but the principles of operation of such devices are the same as those purchased;
- Electronic mousetraps. Modern traps, which are discussed in this article.
How to make an electric mousetrap with your own hands
The skills of handicraftsmen reach the point that many craftsmen make at home not only elementary spring traps, but also complicated electronic mousetraps with their own hands.
Moreover, there is a fairly common option - a harmless cage trap, which, when an animal gets into it, slams shut and notifies with a signal that there is an animal in the cage. Such traps are used not only for pest control, but also for catching small domestic animals without the purpose of extermination (for example, a hamster that has escaped from its cage). A diagram of such a device can easily be found in various sources, including on the Internet.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the Security and Protective Deratization System (OPDS) - operating principle, installation, maintenance and efficiency of the system
Reasons for the appearance of mice in the apartment
Mousetrap
The main factor explaining the appearance of mice in a living space is food. Food supplies in the form of cereals in bags are often stored in basements and barns. If an animal finds such a tasty spot, it will definitely try to take some grains with it. The rodent will leave characteristic marks on the bags.
Important! The onset of cold weather is considered a particularly popular time for mice to move into the house. In the fall, rodents are forced to go in search of a warm shelter, and the most favorite place is considered to be a home with unsanitary conditions. Clutter, trash and food left uncovered are attractive breeding grounds for pests.
Clutter, trash, and food left uncovered are attractive breeding grounds for pests.
The presence of nuts and seeds in the house that are not tightly packed can help in getting mice. The products emit an aroma that is well captured by the sensitive sense of smell of animals.
If there are large cracks and holes in the walls or floor, then mice can easily crawl along them into the house from the street or from neighbors. It is recommended to carry out repairs in the house and tightly close all holes in surfaces.
Wooden traps
The simplest wooden trap is an ordinary mousetrap, which is designed on the principle of a spring trap. A metal frame with a spring is attached to a wooden plank. You also need a hook on which to attach the bait, as well as a latch that hooks onto the hook. The moment the mouse tries to pull the bait off the hook, the spring will work and slam it to the board.
You can catch several mice at once using a mink trap, a device sometimes called a hive mousetrap. Tunnels with a diameter of three centimeters and a length of six to seven centimeters are drilled into a wooden block. A loop is made from the wire, with the help of which a noose made of thinner wire is attached to the bar. Holes are also drilled in the block to attach the springs. Charged springs are tied with thick threads and baits are placed in the tunnels. Trying to get the “yummy”, the mouse chews the thread, the noose spring is triggered and the trap holds the rodent.
The schematic diagram of such a mousetrap is shown in the figure.
The Zürner trap has proven itself well in exterminating rodents. The bait is suspended above the point of contact of two rotating bars. Under the weight of a mouse approaching the bait, the bar rotates along its axis at the point of attachment to the wall of the trap, and the animal slides into the box, from where it cannot get out.
DIY mouse traps
A homemade mouse trap is an excellent solution for those who have children or pets. Store-bought ones may be too expensive. In order to make a trap, they use available materials that can be found in any home. Paper, glass or metal containers, ruler and wire - everything is used.
Interesting! Homemade mousetraps at home can be used several times in a row. There is no need to constantly update and monitor the status of the trap. This is very convenient for people who want to get rid of rodents in their country house.
Mousetrap made from a plastic bottle
One of the easiest ways to make a mousetrap is to use a plastic bottle. Every household has one, but to create a mousetrap it is recommended to use a container with a volume of less than 10 liters. The neck of one and a half to two liter plastic bottles is narrow, so a mouse can climb into it.
Unrefined vegetable oil is poured into it so that it covers the entire inner surface of the container. The cut neck is placed on a stack of books with an inclination of 40 degrees.
Second option
Jar and bucket trap
You can make a mousetrap from a plastic or aluminum can mounted on a rod. At the same time ensuring its free rotation around its axis.
Video:
Jar trap
A homemade mousetrap made from a glass jar resembles a trap made from a plastic bottle. In order to make it, you need to take a three-liter glass bottle and a sheet of paper that will act as a funnel.
The jar is placed vertically, bait is placed on the bottom and a small amount of sunflower oil is poured. In order for the mouse to successfully climb into the jar, you can lean against a wooden ruler (a kind of bridge). The lid of such a trap is made of a sheet of paper secured to the neck with an elastic band with cross cuts.
The principle of operation of a mousetrap is quite simple. The rodent, sensing the smell of bait, makes its way across a wooden bridge onto an improvised lid and falls into the bottle. There is sunflower oil at the bottom, the animal’s paws slide along the walls, preventing it from getting out.
Bucket trap
The most effective trap is a homemade “trap” made from a bucket. The method seems primitive at first glance, but gives good results. To make a trap, you need to take a bucket and fill it with a concentrated salt solution. You need to mask the water with a thick layer of sawdust (fine). Sunflower husks or corn leaves work well. The layer of sawdust should be dense, so that after swelling, they float.
Attention! The bait used to catch the pest must have a special aroma and be located in the center.
Next, make a bridge from available materials (a board or a wooden ruler). Having smelled the aroma of bait, the mouse is unable to resist and goes for easy prey. The rodent ends up on a layer of sawdust and then falls into a concentrated salt solution, with no way to get out.
Glue trap
A do-it-yourself adhesive-based trap can save you a lot of money. You must first purchase a special glue for rodents and thickly lubricate a thick piece of cardboard with it. Bait is placed on the base. Trying to get food, the mouse runs onto the cardboard with glue and sticks with its paws or muzzle.
The animal dies as a result of severe thirst after a few days. The main disadvantage is that it is necessary to throw away the bait along with the dead rodent, which is not very pleasant for particularly impressionable people.
5 Best Glue Traps for Mice and Rats
Wooden
A wooden rodent trap or Zürner rat trap allows you to catch both mice and rats in your country house, private house, barn or barn. The advantage is that such a trap is not designed for one rodent, but can neutralize several pests in one night. You need to spend some time making a Zürner rat trap. First of all, you need to:
- Make a house that resembles a birdhouse with one difference - the hole should be located not in the front, but on both sides.
- The lid of the house should be removable, and the lower part of the box should be lined with tin.
- Opposite the holes inside the house, small planks are attached to form a bridge.
- The boards are equipped with springs that allow them to be maintained in a certain position.
- In the house itself, above the bridges, bait is attached to a thread.
The principle of operation is this: the mouse follows the smell of the bait, looks into the house and makes its way along the bridge. Under the weight of the animal, the board lowers, and the rodent falls down into a box pre-lined with tin. Under the action of a spring, the bridge returns to its place and is ready to receive new visitors.
Important! In addition to the positive aspects, there are a number of disadvantages to this method of catching rodents. Once caught in a mousetrap, the animal remains alive and something needs to be done with it later. In order to make such a mousetrap, you need to spend time. The resulting design is bulky and takes up a lot of space.
Glass jar and coin trap
One of the easiest ways to make a mousetrap is to use a glass jar and a coin. Take a small jar (preferably a liter). Turn it over onto the rim, put a small piece of the selected bait inside, and place a small coin edge-on under it.
Having climbed behind the bait, the animal catches the coin and the trap slams shut. The main disadvantage is that the mouse can touch the coin before it gets to the bait.
Hive
This type of mousetrap looks similar to a bee hive. In order to make a hive mousetrap, you need to take a special wire spring equipped with a ring. The spring is compressed and secured with a thread. Placed in a wooden hive house. The selected bait is also placed there. A mouse that has entered such a mousetrap begins to make its way to the bait and catches the thread with its teeth. When the thread is loosened, the spring sharply opens, firmly fixing the pest and preventing it from getting out.
The art of catching without a mousetrap
If the location of the pests is known, you can lure the mouse out with bait with a strong odor. Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not in the first place for rodents. Pests react sharply to smoked meats, nuts, heavily roasted seeds, seasoned crackers, chips, lard burnt with a match. You can lure them out of their hiding place with the following ingredients.
You can find a mouse in complete silence and twilight. Animals are afraid of loud sounds and cannot tolerate bright light. They get used to the smell of a person in the house, so they are not particularly afraid of it.
To catch a mouse, you should arm yourself with a medium-sized towel. Hide in the corner, quietly wait for the pest to appear from under the closet. Quickly throw on a towel and press.
This option for catching rodents is suitable if you are interested in showing your ingenuity, testing your reaction speed, or if the pest cannot be caught in any other way.
To catch rodents, it is enough to show a little skill, resort to imagination, and figure out where rodents like to hunt.
How to make a rat trap with your own hands
If for some reason it is not possible to buy a ready-made trap for rodents, you can always try to build a rat trap yourself from materials that you have on hand.
From a flower pot
This rat trap is the easiest and most affordable to use. But the pot itself must be quite large to completely cover the rat. If you don't have one, an enamel or tin bucket will do.
Step-by-step instructions for making such a trap are as follows:
- We prepare a high plastic bar. It should be such that the rat can easily get into the pot.
- We sharpen one side of the bar and place the bait on the tip. We direct the pointed edge into the pot.
- We place the bar on the edge.
- We place a pot on top, one side resting on the bar and the other on the floor.
To create a home trap, you can use any similar container instead of a pot.
When the rodent grabs the bait, the bar falls, the pot lowers, and the rat remains trapped inside.
From the bucket
To make a trap, you can use an unnecessary plastic or iron bucket, as well as a sheet of cardboard and tape. The rat trap is installed in the following order:
- A tunnel is made from cardboard and secured with tape.
- One half is placed on the edge of the table (it is advisable to secure it with tape to the table so that it does not move), and the other should hang down.
- Bait is placed on the edge of the tunnel.
- A bucket is placed under the hanging half of the cardboard structure.
To create a rat trap, instead of cardboard, you can use a piece of wide plastic pipe
When the rat smells the bait, it will follow it inside the tunnel and, having reached the edge, tip over into the container.
Video: operating principle of a rat trap made of cardboard and a container of water
From a plastic bottle
To catch a large rat, use a 2-5 liter bottle and perform the following steps step by step:
- The top part of the bottle is cut off, but not all the way, so that it can be opened slightly.
- A long rod is fixed at the bottom of the cut opening. A harness is attached to it, replacing the spring.
- A hole is made near the bottom of the bottle. A hook is attached to it, on which the bait is attached.
- The door that is made is attracted to the top of the bottle itself and, as soon as the rodent pulls the treat, it slams shut.
The traditional version of a bottle trap is very easy to make
Electric homemade rat trap
To make an electric trap, we will need plexiglass, wood, a plug with wires cut from old household appliances, and step-by-step implementation of the following steps:
- We are building a house. The upper and lower parts are made of wood, everything else is made of plexiglass.
- An exit is created in one wall, and long grooves are drilled in the other two, located parallel.
- A glass plate is inserted into them. It should slide easily in the grooves.
- Another gap is made on the side of the door. Two bare wires crossed with each other are passed through it.
- They are led to the trap door.
- The bait is placed inside.
As a result of these simple actions, the rat ends up in a trap, where it is electrocuted.
People who have at least a little knowledge of this field can make an electric trap.
Noose noose
Making your own rat trap-noose is not difficult.
To make a noose loop we will need:
- rubber band;
- a piece of strong thread or fishing line;
- wooden plank;
- weight (wrench, hammer);
- bait.
Step-by-step instruction:
- We construct a loop from a rubber band that should be easily tightened.
- Attach the noose to the edge of the board. The end of the tape should hang down.
- We attach the bait to the edge of the board so that, when approaching it, the rat runs through the loop.
- We tie the bait with a thread, one end of which is tied to the load, the other to the noose.
- When the animal grabs the bait, the weighting object falls sharply, and the noose around the rodent's neck tightens.
Types of mouse traps
On sale you can find different mouse traps for mice, differing in their mechanism of action and the principle of catching rodents. These devices can be installed in different habitats of small animals, taking care that other inhabitants of the house do not get into them. Let's look at the main types of mouse traps that help quickly catch parasites.
Reusable store-bought mousetraps
A feature of reusable traps is that they return to their original form after the animal takes the bait from them. The advantage of such devices is their reusable use when catching a large number of mice. In this case, there is no need to replace its parts. In addition, purchased mousetraps are easy to care for, requiring only periodic cleaning and replacement of the “delicacy”.
The swing principle
Catching a mouse using the “swing principle” is very simple. This trap is an improved mousetrap, where a small bridge is installed above the container. Its construction requires a wide container of water with high walls. A beam capable of balancing is attached to it, and the latter is connected to a “ramp” installed on the floor.
The top plate is attached to the container with wire, so that under the influence of the weight of the rodent, the balancing bridge tilts. As a result, the animal falls into a container of water, where it drowns. After being triggered, the mousetrap returns to its original form. Thanks to such a simple and effective design, the trap is triggered many times during the night.
Spinning drum
Such a mousetrap is a freely rotating cylinder mounted on an axis, with baits attached to its sides. The installation is placed above the surface of a deep container (bucket), placing bridge boards to its edges. Having climbed onto the cylinder, the mouse tries to take the “delicacy” - it turns and the pest falls into the bucket. A bucket mouse trap can be installed both inside houses and inside outbuildings.
Trap
A cage with a door suspended by a thread is considered a trap. Inside such a mousetrap there is bait attached to a hook, which is attached to the opposite wall.
In the process of removing the treat with the mouse, the thread is released, which leads to the lowering of the door. So the mousetrap slams shut, and the animal remains inside it.
Another type of trap is a small box, the wire entrance to which looks like a tunnel. When the rodent gets inside, it begins to climb convenient vines. As a result, the mouse is unable to get back out, as it bumps into sharp wire ends.
Electric mousetrap
Electric mouse traps quickly shock the parasite that enters them with high-power electronic charges. As a result, the mouse dies instantly. These devices are powered by batteries or mains power. Some electric models have the following function:
- additional settings;
- storage of corpses (container);
- capture alerts (indicator).
Specialized stores have a large number of electronic mouse traps, varying in size, operating principle and price. The electric trap should not be placed in places with high humidity, since if water gets inside it, it will fail.
Important! The electronic trap operates on energy, and when it is turned off, its functionality stops.
Traps
A trap is a reusable trap that severely or fatally injures its victim. Inside this structure there is a treat, which lies on a special plane attached to quickly closing arcs. As soon as the rodent takes the bait, the trap slams shut, paralyzing the further movement of the victim.
For mice, it is worth purchasing smaller traps, otherwise catching them will be problematic. A rat, like a mouse, loves cleanliness and the presence of foreign odors can scare it away. Therefore, it is worth periodically washing the trap in a soda solution.
Glue traps
An effective way to control rodents is to use sticky traps. It is a small plate coated with a sticky compound (glue) that is non-toxic. Usually, “sticky mousetraps” are placed in places where rodents gather. During the day, several animals may stick to the surface.
The inconvenience of such a trap is the removal of stuck animals from its surface. This must be done with the help of additional devices, which often injure mice. An alternative way is to get rid of the stuck rodents along with the trap!
Important! You can make your own glue trap! You just need to purchase special mouse glue and apply it to dry surfaces where mice run. After some time, the parasites will be caught!
Homemade mousetraps
Self-made mousetraps that give visible results are in great demand among homeowners. The technology for their production is simple and improvised means are used for this. Let's look at different models of mousetraps that you can make yourself.
8 homemade mouse traps
From the bucket
An empty or half-filled bucket is an effective mouse trap! You can make such a device like this:
- A U-shaped frame is made from aluminum wire, the length of which is 10 cm greater than the diameter of the bucket. The width of the frame is 5 cm. Bend the closed end at an angle of 90 degrees, which will act as a lock.
- Circular turns are made around the nail on each of the two long sides of the U-shaped frame. They do it in the middle.
- A small rectangle is cut out of plastic, which would freely pass through the frame in length and width. It is desirable that its dimensions are 1.5 cm smaller than the dimensions of the U-shaped frame. A through hole is made in the middle of the rectangle through which a nail with an attached frame is inserted.
- A plastic lid with bait is attached to the open ends of the U-shaped frame.
- The finished structure is placed on a bucket filled with 5 cm of water. The trap is ready!
Important! So that the rodent can easily climb onto the bucket, a small plank is placed next to it.
From a plastic bottle
A plastic bottle can be an excellent mousetrap! To do this, a hole is made 7 cm from the base upwards so that a mouse can easily get in there. The bottle is attached to a load by its closed neck, and the bottle itself is placed ½ on the surface (table). A fragrant delicacy is placed inside the trap, which can lure the animals.
As soon as the mouse gets inside the bottle to the bait through the hole, the trap will slide off the surface and hang, attached to the load. The rodent will remain alive, awaiting its extraction.
Made of wood
This is a more complicated version of a homemade trap. To make it you need:
- wooden beam;
- cargo;
- snares (wire);
- hook;
- a thread;
- spring.
Holes are made in the prepared block for installing a snare (wire). The core of the tree is removed to form a U-shaped tunnel with several holes connected to a spring and thread that powers the entire installation. The bait is hung on the hook. When the mouse touches a tasty morsel, the lever activates and the structure slams shut.
Important! Wooden traps are not durable, as rodents can damage their walls.
Mousetrap from a jar
You can make such a trap using the following algorithm:
- A half-liter transparent glass jar is placed upside down on a flat surface where many rodents run around.
- A fragrant bait is placed under the prepared jar.
- The coin is placed on the edge under one of the sides of the jar so that the latter opens a little.
Through the resulting hole, the parasite will climb under the jar to the “delicacy” and touch the coin. The jar will completely tip over, trapping the animal in its captivity. It is problematic to extract a fast rodent through such a trap.
Paper trap
Take an A4 sheet and cut it with a cross from the center to the edges, not completely reaching them. The cut sheet is placed on a deep container, completely covering its diameter. A bait is hung above the paper, and a board is placed on the side so that the parasite can climb up.
When taking out a “treat,” the mouse lands on the center of the paper, which bends under its weight and the rodent falls into the container. The lightweight paper material regains its original appearance, so the trap can be used again.
Disposable traps
A disposable mousetrap needs to be charged after each capture of an animal. It is made from materials that are always at hand. Plastic bottles, a rope with a loop, a bowl, a bucket, different types of nooses - everything is useful for this purpose. The tools you will need are an awl and scissors.
The simplest design is a trap with a slamming lid. To make it you will need:
- a jar with a volume of 0.5 to 1 liter or a plastic cup;
- nut or coin;
- rope;
- bait.
A bait is tied to a nut or coin on a short rope. The coin is placed edge-on, and a cup is placed on it, the edge of which should rest against the edge of the coin. When the mouse climbs under the cup and begins to eat the bait, the rope twitches, and the cup falls and prevents the rodent from escaping.
We do it ourselves
If you are in the country and there is no store nearby, then you can make a device for catching a rodent with almost your bare hands. A humane mousetrap made from a plastic bottle will serve you faithfully. Any mineral water or juice bottle will do for this.
Moreover, you don’t need anything else to succeed. Open the lid and carefully pour a few tablespoons of vegetable oil inside. Place bait, which can be fried sunflower seeds. The smell will attract rodents. This is a humane mousetrap, because other than slight bewilderment, it will not cause any concern to rodents. The bottle is placed at an angle. It is very convenient to fix it with books. You can lay out several pieces as steps along which the mouse will climb into the bottle. Be sure to secure the edges with tape to prevent the bottle from tipping over. Otherwise the mouse will simply run away.
Mousetrap made from a plastic bottle
The material is accessible, easy to process, and most importantly, it produces a humane mousetrap. The rodent remains alive, which can be important for a certain circle of people. Some people simply want to get rid of pests without killing them, while others specifically catch them to feed predatory animals. From the rich assortment, we will consider the three most popular models offered by craftsmen:
The bottle is cut across closer to the neck, but not all the way. It looks like a hinged lid. A locking mechanism is being made. Transverse elements, for example, wooden cooking skewers, are inserted from both cut edges. At the exit, they are tightened with an elastic band for money. The result is a structure that tends to close. A cord is attached to the neck, which pulls the upper part. Its other end in the form of a loop is attached to the bait holder. You can use a toothpick. The homemade mousetrap is ready for use. When the mouse grabs the prepared tasty morsel, the loop flies off the holder and, due to the elastic bands, the bottle collapses, and the rodent remains inside.
A hole is made in the roof and bottom. Any suitable rod is inserted into it. This creates the axis of rotation. A simple design is placed above a bucket, to which a board or other suitable object is placed. This will be the mouse approach. The principle of operation is as follows: the rodent will rise to a bottle that has been pre-treated with a product attractive to the pest. When the mouse runs onto the bottle, the simple design flips over. The animal falls into a bucket, from which it will not be possible to get out on its own.
Another simple way is to use the see-saw principle. The bottle is pierced with wire approximately in the middle. The axis of rotation is made with the expectation that the structure is installed above the support by 1-2 cm. On the side of the neck, a block is fixed end-to-end, which is the approach to the hole. The mouse calmly gets inside to the bait. When you try to get back out, the neck lowers under the influence of gravity, and a pre-fixed block blocks the way.
The neck of the bottle is cut off. A hole is made at the edge and a cord is tied, the length of which is determined experimentally. The other end is tied to a support or weight, with the expectation that if a mouse hits the bottle, it will remain in a hanging position. The device is placed on elevated places, for example on a table, shelves, window sills so that the center of gravity is as close to the edge as possible. The bait is placed on the bottom. When the pest tries to get to it, the structure falls from the support and hangs on the cord in a vertical position before reaching the floor.
Any of the above methods is effective. Adjustments can be made to the design based on the materials at hand. Only the principle of how to make a mousetrap with your own hands is proposed, and the details of a specific design may have features.
How to catch a mouse
It's easier to fight a pest when you know what it is.
Table: distinctive features of mice
Mice are unpretentious | Rodents will be able to survive without any problems both in the refrigeration chamber and in the hot boiler room, withstanding even certain radiation doses. |
Have excellent physical shape | Adults run very fast (relative to their size), jump, climb and swim well. |
Developed sense organs | Animals hear perfectly and have a very well developed sense of smell. |
Intelligence present | Mice are not as smart as their relatives, rats, but they are very cunning and careful. |
A medium-sized animal can easily slip into a round slot with a diameter of about a centimeter and, in an extreme situation, jump up to one meter in length.
The fight against domestic rodents includes the use of spring mousetraps, glue traps, various types of repellers, and poisoned baits. At the same time, people have to change tactics all the time, inventing new devices. Live traps are the most humane means of getting rid of rodents and are quite easy to make with your own hands from scrap materials.
Humane plastic bottle mouse trap
To make such a trap you will need a plastic bottle, rope, a heavy object and bait. The rope must be tied to the neck.
The rope must be of sufficient length
We put bait in the bottle. Mice are most attracted to foods with a strong aroma, but smelly chemical additives likely won't work.
It is better to use natural products as bait
The bottle should be placed on the edge of a table or other surface. We fix the end of the rope using a heavy object.
Homemade mouse live trap installed and ready to go
Live trap from a jar with a coin
Making this mousetrap requires an empty glass jar, a coin and bait. Installation takes literally a few seconds.
A trap made from a jar with a coin is the simplest, but very effective way to catch small rodents
Attach the bait to the inside wall of the jar. Set up the trap as shown in the photo below.
This live trap may require concentration when setting up
Catching pests with a bucket and ruler
You can catch a boring mouse using a plastic bucket. To prevent the rodent from jumping out of the container, apply a little vegetable oil to the bottom and walls.
Any sufficiently deep plastic bucket is suitable for catching mice.
The next step is to place a ruler with bait on the edge of the table. It is important to properly balance the mechanism here.
The installed ruler with bait must support the weight of the mouse until the latter gets close to the fragrant piece
Place the bucket exactly in the center of the bait and go about your business with peace of mind. The caught rodent will not be harmed.
Live trap using a bucket and ruler installed and configured
Mousetrap made from a can and thick paper
To make the next trap you need a glass jar, a sheet of thick paper, a rope, a knife and a piece of something tasty.
Cheese, of course, will do, but mice don’t like it too much, oddly enough.
Place cheese in a container, cover with paper and twist with a rope in the same way as jars of jam are sealed.
It is advisable to tighten the neck of the container more tightly
Using a knife, cut the top of the paper into a cross. The corners should be recessed a little deeper.
Using a sharp knife, cut the paper into a cross
Place the trap in an area where pests are most active. Don't forget to check it from time to time.
Live traps should be checked more often, as a caught pest can escape with some effort.
Another live trap made from a plastic bottle
Take an empty plastic bottle. Cut it lengthwise with a knife by about a third of the total length. Be careful, the plastic may slip on the surface.
When working with a knife, be careful not to cut yourself
Turn the cut part over and secure it with clothespins, paper clips or, for example, hair clips.
The process of making such a live trap will not require much time.
All that remains is to put goodies in the live trap, place it in places where mice are active and provide easy access.
So that the mice can gain access to the free cheese, we will use the ruler again
Spiny mousetrap
To make a trap, you will need the bottom of a plastic bottle cut in half and a knife (or scissors).
The lower half of the plastic container is a live trap blank
Next, being careful, you need to cut out pointed elements with a length approximately equal to half the diameter of the container.
The step width of each element does not play a big role
All that remains is to put a fragrant piece of banana in the product to attract pests, bend the cutouts inward and wish yourself a successful hunt.
The mousetrap should be installed in areas of increased rodent activity, so the chances of success increase significantly
Video: how to catch a mouse without harming it
Trap from a jar with cut paper at the neck
This DIY mouse trap is made by analogy with the previous one. To allow mice to climb to the top of the jar, a “ramp” is installed, but in this case the bait is placed inside the jar, the neck of which is covered with paper
In order for the paper on the neck of the jar to become a real trap for rodents, it is carefully cut (for example, with a razor) crosswise
As soon as the animal hits the paper, the “petals” formed during the cut bend inward, and the mouse falls into the jar. In other options, it is possible to place a lightweight bait directly in the center of the cut paper, or the bait is tied to a rope and placed above the center of the jar.
The disadvantage of such a simple trap is that it is not very effective. Mice somehow sense a trick and are afraid of the cut paper.