How to Build a Wooden Box Trap
Wooden box traps are a simple, yet effective, way to capture small creatures who may be infesting areas where you don't want them. The trap works by having the box open at one end where the animal can get in. When the animal disturbs the bait, a mechanism releases and the door to the trap comes crashing down, locking the animal inside. These types of traps are often preferred because, unlike snare and claw traps, they rarely harm the animal. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Saw
- Work table
- Plywood
- Drill
- 1 1/2-inch wood screws
- Nylon string
- 1-by-12-inch wooden dowel
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of plywood to measure 9-by-20 inches. Cut three more pieces that measure 9-by-16 inches.
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2
Place the 9-by-16 pieces on the table standing on their edges. Position them parallel to each other and 9 inches apart. Place the 9-by-20 piece over these pieces. One end should be flush with the 9-by-16 pieces and one end should stick over by an inch. Secure these piece together using your drill and 1-1/2-inch wood screws. Place a screw about every four inches.
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3
Turn the unit over and place the 9-by-16 piece over the 1-inch overhang on the large wood piece. The 9-by-16 piece will be touching all of the other three pieces, basically forming one end of an open box. Screw this back plate into place.
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4
Cut one piece wood that measures 19-1/4-by-7-1/4 inches and a second piece that is 8-1/4-by-7-1/4 inches. Place the smaller piece on top of one end of the larger piece. Screw them together to create the door.
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5
Place the door onto the box. The back of the door should be about 1/4 inch from the back plate of the box to allow the door room to pivot. Drill pilot holes through the side walls and into the side of the door top piece, located about 1/2 inch from the end of the piece. Remove the door from the structure.
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6
Attach a larger drill bit to your drill. Enlarge the two holes in the side walls. These holes need to be large enough that the screws can rotate, but not so large that the screw heads can fit through. Use a wood screw as reference when you are sizing these holes. Place the box door back onto the structure. Drill 1-1/2-inch wood screws through the large holes and into the pilot holes on the door. The door should not pivot freely.
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7
Drill a 1-inch hole through the back plate, placed four inches from the bottom of the box.
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8
Taper one end of the wooden dowel to a point, or as close to a point as you can get it. On the other end, about 1/4 inch from the end, cut halfway through the dowel. Move up the dowel about 1/2 inch. Cut at an angle toward the other cut. When the two cuts meet, remove the wood between the cuts. The dowel will now have a notch. Place the dowel into the hole in the back plate. The pointed end should be inside the box, and the notched end should hang out a few inches.
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9
Cut a 4-inch-long piece of wood that is about 1/4 inch in diameter. Taper both ends of this stick. Cut a small notch two inches above the hole in the back plate. The notch only needs to be a few inches long and 1/4-inch deep.
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10
Drill a screw into the top of the door, right in the middle of the front edge. Don't screw it all the way in though. Leave about a 1/4 inch exposed. Also cut a small notch in the exact middle of the top of the back plate, which will keep the string in place.
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11
Tie one end of the string to the middle of the 4-inch stick. Place the stick between the groove in the back of the box and the notch on the back of the wooden dowel. Run the string over the notch in the top of the back plate. Rotate the door to an open position. Tie the string to the exposed screw at the front of the door. The stick should hold the door open because it is wedged between the dowel and the groove.
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12
Place the bait on the pointed end of the dowel. When it is moved, the stick should fall out and the door should slam closed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit small rabbits image by Vera Kailova from Fotolia.com
