How to Build a Mousetrap

Are mice a problem in your house? You'd like to get rid of them, yet you don't want to hurt them. The easiest solution is to build a humane mouse trap. Then you can set the critters free to roam; away from your house that is!

Things You'll Need

  • Coffee can
  • Peanut butter
  • Large bucket
  • Dowel rod
  • Wooden ramp
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Instructions

  1. How to Build a Mousetrap

    • 1

      Take the coffee can and glue the lid on. Once it has dried, drill a hole in the lid, and the bottom of the can, that is large enough for the dowel rod to slip in and out of easily.

    • 2

      Insert the dowel rod, and make sure the coffee can can spin freely around it.

    • 3

      Drill a hole a few inches below the rim of your bucket. Drill a second hole on the opposite side of that one. Insert the dowel rod through the first hole, through one side of the coffee can, through the second hole in the coffee can, and finally through the other side of the bucket. This should suspend the coffee can so it can spin freely inside the bucket.

    • 4

      Glue a flat piece of wood, or other sturdy material, to the rim of the bucket. Make sure it touches the floor at an angle low enough for a mouse to walk up. This creates your ramp.

    • 5

      Cover the coffee can with some peanut butter. The mouse will walk up the ramp, try to jump on the coffee can, and it will spin. Then the mouse will land unharmed, but trapped, in the bucket.