How to Build a Mouse Trap

This is a way to build the best mouse trap. No more messy spring traps or sticky paper. This trap lasts for weeks.

Gather the necessary equipment (see "Things You'll Need").

Secure the coffee can lid on the empty coffee can with some sort of glue or contact cement.

Drill a hole large enough for the dowel rod in the center of coffee can lid as well as the center of the bottom of coffee can. This should allow the coffee can to spin freely once the Dowel Rod is inserted through the holes in the can.

Drill a hole in the side of the 5 gallon bucket a couple of inches from the rim.

Drill another hole in the 5 gallon bucket directly opposite the first.

Insert the Dowel Rod into one hole of the 5 gallon bucket, then through the hole in the lid of the coffee can, then out the bottom of the coffee can, then finally through the opposite hole on in the 5 gallon bucket.

Fill the 5 gallon bucket up with antifreeze so that there is about 5 to 6 inches of antifreeze in bottom.

Coat the outside of the coffee can with peanut butter.

Set the ramp up to the rim of the 5 gallon bucket.

Locate the coffee can so that it is in middle of the dowel rod in the center of the 5 gallon bucket.

Leave it and clean it out as necessary.

Tips

• The idea here is that the mice walk up the ramp and jump onto the coffee can in an attempt to get to the peanut butter. When they land on the coffee can, it spins and they fall into the bucket of antifreeze. The reason for the antifreeze is that it seems to preserve the mice so they don't smell. Works great in locations where you are not able to clean it out frequently.
• Be sure the holes in the coffee can are large enough to allow the coffee can to spin freely.
• Set the ramp in such a way that is no too steep for a mouse to walk up.
• If you're concerned about kids getting into the antifreeze, water works in place of the antifreeze.
• To make this a humane trap and avoid drowning the mouse you can also simply not put any liquid in the bucket. Be sure to check the bucket regularly so as not to starve the animal and to empty the bucket at a good distance from your house to avoid the mouse finding its way back.

Warnings

• Keep out of reach of children!
• Antifreeze is both attractive and toxic to most household pets. If you foresee this being a problem, substitute a different liquid.
• Use Plumbing or RV antifreeze. It's non-toxic and won't kill your kids and pets.

Things You'll Need

• 5 Gallon bucket
• Empty Coffee Can (with lid)
• Peanut Butter
• 1/4" Dowel Rod or something similar (a little longer than the diameter of the 5 Gallon Bucket)
• Antifreeze (get at any grocery or automotive store)
• Something to make a ramp that will reach the top of the 5 Gallon Bucket