How to Make Mouse Traps

A mice infestation can be annoying as well as damaging. The common mouse can chew through wires, get into walls and create havoc in a house. Besides the damage issues, mice leave their droppings everywhere, creating an unsanitary environment. They can carry diseases into your home. Though mice can be pests, there are ways to banish them from your home without needlessly killing or harming them. This simple mouse trap made out of household items will do the trick humanely.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Empty 2 liter bottle (from soda)
• Utility knife
• Sand
• Heavy-duty tape
• Wire screen or mesh
• Olive oil
• Peanut butter

Building the Trap

1. Cut the top off of a two liter bottle. You can cut it about five inches down from the top.

2. Fill the bottom of the bottle with about two inches of sand. This should be just enough to weigh it down.

3. Flip the top of the bottle upside down and then reattach it to the bottle with tape around the edge. This will serve as a funnel that goes into the bottle.

4. Measure a rectangle of wire screen or mesh to wrap around the bottle. The screen should wrap the whole way around the bottle, and come up just to the top of the funnel. This will provide a surface that the mouse can climb.

5. Spread some peanut butter inside the funnel, but don't block the hole. Then grease the funnel with olive oil.

Place the Trap

1. Determine where to put the trap. You can locate the route of the mice by their droppings. If you find a concentrated area of droppings, chances are a mouse will pass by there soon.

2. Position the trap somewhere the mouse can access it. The mouse will be able to climb up the screen, but to maximize your chances you should place it next to something else it can climb on. This could be a book shelf or a stack of items that lead up to the top of the bottle.

3. Leave the trap alone for the rest of the day. Leave the room dark and try to minimize traffic there. The mice will play while you're away.

Releasing the Victim

1. Check your mouse trap a day after you set it. If there is a tiny little critter staring back at you from behind the plastic, the trap was successful.

2. Take the bottle with the mouse in it outside. If you live near woods or a grassy area, this is perfect.

3. If you live somewhere more urban, you can take your mouse to a local park. Simply remove the top of the bottle and lay it on its side. The mouse will make a quick escape and you will have spared a little life.

4. Reset your trap and wait for more mice to drop in.

Tips & Warnings

• Experiment with different kinds of bait. Try cheese, peanut butter and other treats.

Resources

• Find out more about the common mouse