How to catch a mouse - the most effective methods of rodent control. How to make a mousetrap with your own hands: quickly from improvised means How to make a mousetrap from an eggplant

Mice live in residential buildings, cafes and shops all year round, but they become especially noticeable with the approach of cold weather. Species that live close to humans, but not side by side with them, may migrate closer to warmth and a source of easily obtained food.

Mice cause more damage to the human economy than rats. Although the latter are less acceptable to people, they are less likely to live directly in the residential area, preferring to be in places of collection and disposal of waste. In addition, mice can breed up to ten times a year. Most often, they interfere with people not by eating a lot, but by their omnivorous nature. Mice gnaw on food, but do not finish it, after which the product has to be thrown away. They gnaw holes in clothes and furniture, build passages for themselves through partitions and walls, leave litter everywhere. Mice are especially dangerous for electrical wiring. They can try to gnaw through it, expose the wires and close them with themselves, after which fires sometimes occur. Mice are carriers of salmonellosis and other intestinal and inflammatory infections.

How to catch a mouse

To trap a mouse in an apartment, you need to understand where and from where the rodent appears.

Unlike rats, mice look for food only at a distance of 10-25 meters from their habitat. Traps should be placed where mice are most likely to appear. Mice prefer to travel along walls and other vertical structures. Mice are very inquisitive and explore every new item placed in their feeding territory. If the mouse is not immediately caught, the device can be moved to another location, writes Michael F. Potter, an expert from the Agricultural College of the University of Kentucky.

Mice eat grains and seeds, nuts, oil, and sweets. Mice are nocturnal animals, and during the dark time of the day they are able to go out in search of food up to 30 times. Behind them they leave a black oblong dropping 0.3-1.2 cm long, due to which their recent appearance is easily disavowed.

But before proceeding with the arrangement, it is better to first spend time preventing the appearance of rodents in unwanted places. Cracks and holes over a quarter of an inch wide must be patched. Weak points: holes for water pipes in the wall and a gap under the door. To make the room less attractive, you need to keep it clean: remove food debris. After that, the basic measures, if necessary, can be supplemented by the arrangement of special means from mice.

Which is better: bullying, scaring or catching?

Mice are fought in four main ways:

poisonous baits - rodenticides;
ultrasonic rodent repellers;
mousetraps (killer and live traps);
sticky traps.

They are located as close as possible to the habitat of the mouse.

Rodenticides most often created on the basis of seeds or grains. They are sold in pharmacies and contain brodifacoum, chlorophacinone, diphacinone or warfarin as active ingredients. These substances prevent blood clotting, which is why the animal dies from internal blood loss. Carefully: Keep these anti-mouse products away from children and pets.

Ultrasonic repellers act humanely for animals and are safe for you. Some models, like the budget domestic "ElectroKot Turbo", in addition to ultrasound, also affect rodents with the help of sound signals and flashes of light. This combination is much more effective - mice will definitely not have the desire to stay next to such an aggressive stimulus. In the early days of using the repeller, you may notice even more rodents than before - but this is normal. The fact is that the sudden appearance of ultrasound causes panic in rodents - as a result of which abnormal daily activity and chaotic rushes around the house may appear. As a rule, within two weeks the rodents will leave.

When there are few mice in the house, it is worth trying to catch them in mousetraps. These traps should also be kept away from pets and children. The mousetrap has an undeniable advantage over poisonous bait. The mouse will be immediately removed from the house, while the poisoned and dead mouse will remain lying somewhere, for example, in the cavity of the wall and floor and exude an unpleasant odor. Traps are placed along the walls where mice or traces of their vital activity were seen. The trap rotates perpendicular to the wall, but some instructions recommend placing it parallel. In addition to the murderous ones, there are also live traps, which allow the captured mouse to be released without harming it.

sticky traps also effective against mice, unlike heavier and stronger rats. Running along a familiar path, the mouse suddenly finds itself on a sticky surface, from which it can no longer escape. If the trap accidentally sticks to a person or pet, it can be removed with vegetable oil.

All traps should be checked daily for dead mice. Perform all work with gloves.

Which mousetrap is better? How They Work: An Overview of Trap Types

There are only four types of mouse traps hiding behind a large number of designs and manufacturers, and we will now analyze them.

Ordinary mousetraps. The simplest and most familiar type of trap to us from childhood or from cartoons. The cheapest is the classic wooden mousetrap with an iron bracket. A bait is pricked on the “fishing rod”, to which the mouse comes. As soon as she tries to take the food with her, the bracket will slam shut and squeeze her. The mechanism is quite strong and can kill an animal or injure a person who carelessly handled it.

In addition to wooden ones, plastic and metal ones are now being produced, which can look significantly different 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 the killing of an animal, even a pest, is unacceptable. The captured mouse is simply released away from home. In addition, it can be shown to children in this way and taught them humanism by their own example.

Glue traps for mice. Effectively solve the problem: how to catch a mouse without a mousetrap. They are boards, trays or slats with glue. They effectively trap mice, although they are unlikely to keep rats for long. Their disadvantage is in action. A mouse that has fallen on the glue, trying to get out, starts to twitch and squeak violently, creating noise. The glue is non-toxic and will not kill a rodent, but if a mouse gets trapped at night, you will have to get up and do something about it, because it will be difficult to fall asleep under the squeak.

Electronic traps for mice. The most effective trap was invented relatively recently. The advantages of an electronic device are obvious: a mouse or a rat runs into the trap in search of food and receives a current discharge, dying quickly and painlessly. Perfectly solves the problem: how to catch a mouse in a house without blood and mess. In addition, electronic traps are convenient and practical for large premises and food warehouses, as they can be used without recharging for a long time.

Type of mousetrap	Advantages	Flaws
common mousetrap	very cheap	does not kill quickly
"Live" trap (live trap)	cheap and don't kill	you need to take away and release the mouse
glue trap	cheap	the mouse can squeak and swarm for several days
	kill quickly with an electric discharge, without blood or dirt, the charge is enough for a hundred electric shocks	expensive, do not use outdoors without special protection against water

What is the difference between mouse and rat traps?

Rats are heavier, stronger and smarter than mice. Therefore, ordinary or sticky traps that are suitable for catching mice are not suitable for them. They can work together to steal bait from a mechanical trap.

Glue traps can trap mice or young rats. Mature rodents from among the latter will be able to get out of it within one or two hours.

At the same time, if there are no problems with rats in a small apartment, and mice are wound up, it makes no sense to buy an expensive electronic trap, which undoubtedly has important advantages (we will talk about them below), but is designed for long-term use with a large number of charges and not particularly needed where you want to catch 2-3 rodents.

Mousetrap bait or how to lure a mouse

Domestic rodents prefer grains and cereals, as well as nuts. But scientists from the University of Kentucky note the diversity of the diet of domestic rodents, in which cereals are only the basis:

Mice eat a variety of foods, but prefer seeds and grains. They also love foods that are high in fat and protein, such as nuts, bacon, butter, and sweets (an important point to remember when choosing bait to rig the trap). Mice can make 20-30 sorties per night.

A popular bait among mousetrap users is peanut butter bait, which is convenient to use due to its consistency, making small balls or smearing it on the sensory surface of the mousetrap. Contrary to popular myth, they are not crazy about cheese and eat it on par with other foods. So cheese is not always a good bait.

As Michael F. Potter mentioned above joked, you have to think like a mouse. Better use smoked lard or bacon. In addition to peanut butter, unrefined sunflower oil is suitable. They can moisten a piece of white bread. Or just put roasted sunflower seeds or peanut kernels in a mousetrap.

Top 6 Mouse Traps

Steel mousetrap "FIT"

The most classic version of a mousetrap: a wooden base with a durable steel mechanism. It has maximum sensitivity, which makes it impossible to steal the bait - it slams shut instantly! It is these traps that are most popular among the people: they are cheap (2 FIT traps cost only 69 rubles) and always work flawlessly.

But they also have their obvious disadvantages. So, this is not the fastest and most sparing option for killing: the mouse may not die immediately, but suffer from pain for several hours. Also, the tree absorbs the smell of dead animals, so after a while the mice will understand the catch and will not climb into it anymore - it will have to be changed to another one. But such devices are so budgetary that buying a new one is not a problem. The main thing is that they work and have been tested by millions of people.

Plastic mousetrap "Mr.Mouse".

Another variation of the classic mousetrap with an improved design of the bait spot. It is made of plastic, which does not get dirty, unlike wood, and does not absorb odors. Therefore, the mousetrap can be used many times without fear that it will start to smell like dead rodents. It is also safer than steel traps, because. works on the principle of a large clothespin - your fingers will be intact. Contrary to popular belief, mice don't like cheese that much, so use seeds, peanuts, chocolate, or dry pet food as bait. Users write -

Mr. Mouse is very easy to use, pulling out mice is extremely easy, and it's not scary that you leave your fingers there - I recommend it to everyone.

Price - about 80 rubles.

Glue trap “Gryzunoff”

A simple and inexpensive option for those who need to catch a small number of rodents. According to the manufacturer, the trap is designed to catch gray and black rats, house mice, gerbils, bank voles and moles. The sticky base is non-toxic and, in addition to glue, contains rosin, rubber and mineral oils. But it is more likely just for mice - such a surface is unlikely to hold large rats. Keep in mind that if stuck in the adhesive base, mice may try to get out of it by tearing off their limbs. The sight is not pleasant, so it is better to check them more often and finish off the rodents or release them. It costs from 100 rubles.

Mouse trap “House”

This is a humane option for trapping: the trap does not kill mice, but simply locks them inside - rodents have no chance to get out. Such a “House” looks like a plastic tube, bent at a certain angle, and two doors. Before starting work, it is necessary to remove the back cover and put the favorite delicacy of mice - peanuts, seeds or dry pet food in the far part of the device. Then place it on a flat surface, close the back cover and open the front door - especially for rodents. When he crawls to the bait, the "House" will automatically slam shut.

Do not forget to check such traps in a timely manner - so that the mouse does not die inside! Release it to freedom and put a new portion of the bait, then set it again. The method is not only humane, but also affordable: for ~ 250 rubles. you can purchase 4 “Houses” at once.

Electronic exterminator of mice and rats "EcoSniper GH-190 Rat Killer"

EcoSniper is an example of the fastest way to get rid of rodents: it kills mice with an electric shock in five seconds. This electronic trap can work both from a network, and from batteries. The design of the trap ensures the safety of children and pets. It can be used to catch any rodents in the house, garage and any other room. When using batteries, you can even set it up outdoors - as long as you make sure the trap is protected from water. But such powerful devices cost much more than usual ones - from 3000 rubles.

Live trap “Cage”

This cage trap is made of galvanized steel and has a wooden bottom. It is safe for children and animals, including mice themselves, and is suitable for those who do not want to kill animals, even harmful ones. Once in a cage-trap, the mouse remains locked in it, but unharmed. A caught rodent just needs to be released into the wild by opening the door away from your home. Some people prefer to place poison inside the trap, but we do not recommend doing this - it's better to just catch and release the animal. The compact size of the cage allows it to be used anywhere - outdoors or indoors. Such a device costs from 350 rubles.

Product	Type of	Operating principle	Price
Steel mousetrap "FIT"	ordinary	Slams on the body of the mouse	~69 RUB (2 pieces)
Plastic mousetrap "Mr.Mouse".	ordinary	Slams on the body of the mouse	~80 rub.
Glue trap “Gryzunoff”	sticky (adhesive)	The rodent gets stuck in the sticky layer	from 100 rub.
Mouse trap “House”	live trap		~250 rub. (4 pieces)
Electronic trap "EcoSniper GH-190 Rat Killer"	electronic	Kills mice with electric shock	~3000 rub.
Live trap “Cage”	live trap	The rodent falls into the trap unharmed	from 350 rub.

So, being the owner of a private house (in which I live only in the summer) and a house in a summer cottage (which I rarely visit), I ran into one problem: MICE! In the summer, this is not so scary, but, with the onset of cold weather, the problem becomes relevant - mice tend to heat and climb into houses. Of course, a great variety of mousetraps are sold in stores. And I bought and installed them. But after all, they have one common drawback - they catch one mouse! What if I'm not in the house every month? How many mousetraps can I install? ... You can, of course, a lot! But here, then, be sure to accidentally climb into them! After all, they are placed in "secluded places", or, a cat or a dog will do it!

So I made a homemade mousetrap (and more than one), which has the following properties: it can catch several mice, and it is absolutely safe for everyone who is not a rodent, and does not fit in a two-centimeter mink.)))

Today I made another such mousetrap and took a photo of the process. I made it for six mice, so we will consider just such an option.

So, we need:
1) Bar. (Any unnecessary one will do. The cross section is from 40 to 100 mm, to infinity ... Well, within reasonable limits. I do not advise making it from a sleeper))))) Length - about 6 centimeters for each "mouse place" - in my case - about forty centimeters)
2) Old bicycle spokes. (Again, one for each mouse - 6 in my case)
3) Thin knitting wire (I took 0.8)
4) Strong thread.

To begin with, at the end of our bar, we drill "blind" holes, with a diameter of 20 mm, and a depth of 8-10 cm. (The bar should be two centimeters wider). (These will be "minks" for mice). I did this using an adjustable drill bit for wood and a regular drill.

After that, we need to cut along the entire bar, stepping back about a centimeter from the edge where we drilled blind holes. The depth of cut should reach the bottom edge of our holes. I completed it with the help of a circle on a tree and the 125th small grinder (angle grinder). It can be done with a circular saw (circular), or even a hand saw. But in this case, you will not be able to make a mousetrap for more than 3 minks - the length of the hacksaw blade is not enough.

The next step - at a distance of about two to two and a half centimeters from our cut, we drill two holes across the beam, 2 mm in diameter. They must pass across each mink, dividing it into equal parts. For clarity, I inserted a wire into the drilled holes:

With the same drill, we drill a hole in the bar where the mink has already ended. We get this product:

Let's start assembling. We insert the springs into the hole we drilled opposite each mink:

After that, at the end of each spring we fix a loop of knitting wire:

And we charge the mousetrap: Compressing the spring so that the wire loop falls into our cut, we fix it by inserting something of a suitable diameter. I used the same file:

After that, we simply tie the spring with a thread passed through our two holes. I use a "gypsy" needle to make it easier to thread:

After that, remove the file and place the bait in the end of the mink. Better smelly. I used pieces of lard skin fried to a crust. (This can be done at the beginning. Even more convenient - the threads do not interfere)

Similarly, we charge all the minks:

What we have: a wire loop, which is larger than the mink in diameter, completely hides in the cut and does not overlap the mink. A mouse, seeing a hole, will naturally try to explore it. What’s more, it smells delicious! Having passed the loop, she will run into the threads blocking her passage ... and simply gnaw through them !! (Do not hesitate, checked.) Further - it is clear. The released spring will immediately jerk the wire loop up ... That's it !!! Not a single one has reached the bait yet))))) At the same time, the tail of the mouse sticking out of the mink does not scare away others! The rest of the minks are free! Upon arrival at the dacha, I sometimes shake out, pressing the springs, 10 mice each! All you need is a new thread. The bait lasts a long time.

The appearance of mice in photographs and cartoons is tender. However, when gray tailed creatures enter the house, outbuildings, garages, the attitude towards them changes dramatically. After all, rodents cause not only material damage, which is calculated as damage to products, building materials, and electrical wiring. , helminths, which entails serious consequences for human health. Therefore, when rodents are found in their possessions, the issue of combating them is beyond doubt. How to make a mousetrap with your own hands and why this method is used most often - the answers to these questions will be useful to beginner mouse fighters.

Advantages of mousetraps

The fastest way to get rid of rodents at home is the use of rodenticides, that is, poisons. But this method has a number of significant drawbacks. In addition to the fact that their use is dangerous when small children or pets live in the house, the death of a rodent can occur in the most unexpected place. A decomposing body will exude a disgusting putrid smell for a long time, which is very difficult to get rid of. Yes, and the search for the carcass of the animal itself can end with a major overhaul of the premises. When using traps, these problems can be avoided.

And this is by no means all the advantages of mousetraps:

Even a schoolboy or a fair sex can make traps for mice with their own hands. After all, most designs in the manufacture do not imply soldering skills, technical knowledge or professional possession of a hammer and other tools.
Homemade mousetraps are in no way inferior to industrial options in terms of efficiency.
The cost of devices made by hand can be several times lower than purchased traps, since most of them are made from improvised means.

Varieties of traps

All mousetrap designs are a device, in the center of which is located, attracting tailed pests with its aroma. Depending on the type of device, the mouse either dies or continues to exist in anticipation of its fate. Types of mousetraps that you can make yourself:

spring, made of wood and metal knitting needles, act when the spring is triggered;
a variety of containers, ranging from all kinds of jars to a bucket or pan - the effect is achieved by shifting the center of gravity or a banal drop of the mouse from a height;
live traps - an automatic trap designed by Tishleev, a Zünner trap are more complex structures for self-manufacturing, can be either single or designed to catch several individuals at once;
glue traps - a modern version of live traps, they are compact and easy to manufacture and further use, trapping of living creatures is carried out by gluing a rodent to;
electronic traps powered by a network or other power sources - a bait is placed inside the module, and as soon as the rodent is inside, a powerful electric discharge is released, from which the mouse instantly dies.

The photos of the mousetraps below will help you assess the complexity of the design.

What to do with a caught rodent

Often the question arises, what to do with the mouse caught. If the animal remains intact and unmutilated, the most humane thing would be to take the captive to its natural habitat. In the case when he has damage, it is advisable to feed him to cats or take him to a garbage dump. Particularly compassionate persons before disposal can first put the mouse to sleep in an apartment or house, for example, by feeding it with poison. If a decision is made to leave the gray pest as a pet, it should be taken for examination to a veterinary clinic, and only after the conclusion that it is healthy, equip a new home for it.

Whatever manipulations are done with the captured animal, it is necessary to do it with gloves, since the possibility cannot be ruled out that the mouse is a carrier of various diseases or simply be rabid. The room in which she was, is subject to thorough disinfection.

The forums also offer more creative options for solving the fate of a captive animal: feed and eat, flush down the toilet, hook up with the mother-in-law.

How to make a bottle trap

What the fantasy of craftsmen does not reach when it comes to plastic containers for liquid products. Not without them and catching rodents. A plastic bottle trap is made in just a few minutes. You can make it from a poltorashka or a container of 2 liters. In the absence of the latter, mouse traps are constructed from a 5-liter bottle. Traps can be made in several ways.

Option number 1

The walkthrough looks like this:

Using a clerical knife, cut off the neck of a plastic vessel, approximately a third.
Lubricate the cut neck from the inside with any vegetable oil.
Put the bait inside the remaining part with the bottom.
Turn the element with a neck so that it is directed down the structure and secure it with tape or wire.

The mouse, tempted by the aroma of the bait, freely penetrates through the greased neck into the trap, but will not be able to get back. On the part of the neck where the cork is screwed, several fan-shaped vertical cuts can be made. This will increase the chances of catching a large rodent.

On a note!
So that the mousetrap from a plastic bottle does not turn over, a weighting agent is placed on the bottom: stones, a small bag of sand.

Option number 2

Catching a mouse in a bottle is even easier:

Cut off the top of the container where the constriction ends.
On the upper edge of the element with a bottom, make cuts 4-5 cm long with an interval of 1.5-2 cm. You will get a semblance of petals that need to be sharpened.
Bend the pointed edges down so that they look at the bottom.
Lubricate the walls of the trap with fat and put the bait on the bottom.

For the convenience of the mouse, small boards are attached to the device. The animal will climb them without interference, fall into the vessel, and sharp edges and slippery walls will not allow it to leave.

On a note!
A primitive trap is easy to make if you put the bait in a bottle of oil after using the product and slightly cut off the neck and bend it down.

Option number 3

This type of trap is somewhat different from the previous ones:

Cut off the neck of the bottle and throw it away. This part is no longer needed.
In the resulting container, it is necessary to drill two holes and stretch a rope or wire through them, through which the mousetrap will be tied.
Place the bait at the bottom and position the trap so that part of it hangs from a shelf or countertop. Fix fastening.

As soon as the mouse climbs for a treat, the center of gravity will shift, and the mousetrap will invariably hang with the captive. Catching pests with bottles is quite convenient. Consumables for their manufacture cost nothing, and captured animals can be disposed of along with the trap, which avoids direct contact with them.

Traps from large containers

A mousetrap from a bucket of water is a disgracefully simple, but very effective device. With its help, it is possible to catch several representatives of the mouse family in one night. Mousetrap manufacturing process:

Drill two holes in the top of the bucket.
Take a metal rod, the length of which is not less than the diameter of the bucket.
Put an empty bottle on the axis, after coating it with a mixture that is attractive to rodents, so that it can rotate.
Fix the rod with the strung bottle in the drilled holes. The neck should be as close as possible to the edge of the bucket.
Fill a third of the bucket with plain water.
Attach a kind of ramp from a plank to the trap, along which the mouse will climb for the bait.

Feeling the aroma, the tailed animal will climb along the bridge to the bottle, which, under its weight, will immediately turn over and drop into the water. Instead of a bucket, a deep basin or a large saucepan can be used.

The device is designed to catch several individuals at once. The construction process consists of several stages:

Take a wooden beam about 40 cm long. Drill 6 holes on the end part with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm and a depth of at least 1-2 cm. These will be holes for potential captives.
At a distance of 1 cm from the same side, cut the bar lengthwise to the bottom of the notches.
Drill 2 more holes perpendicular to the minks, into which the springs will then be attached.
Build a spring mechanism from the knitting needle, make a loop of strong thin wire at the end.
Insert the free edge of the spring into the previously prepared hole, fix it on the bar, hide the loop in the cut.
Pass the thread through the free holes.
Put the bait in the center.

The mouse will try to get to the treat and gnaw through the thread, as a result of which the spring mechanism will work, and the rodent will be in the hole prepared for it.

Adhesive structures

For the manufacture of a mousetrap, you will need small cardboard squares, sheets, each side of at least 5 cm. Construction residues can be used for the base - drywall, MDF panels, fiberboard, chipboard. The second necessary component is glue. You can cook it with your own hands according to the following recipe: mix rosin, petroleum jelly, pine resin and bituminous pitch. If you do not want to prepare the adhesive mass yourself, then the simplest way is to purchase special glue for rodents in a specialized department.

Further construction of the trap is outrageously simple. Glue is applied pointwise to the workpiece. In the center is a fragrant bait. The mouse is firmly fixed to the adhesive mass. The only drawback of such structures is the heart-rending squeak of the caught pest.

To or, often use a mousetrap house. A cardboard frame is being made. The inner walls are covered and in the middle - a traditional delicacy for mice. This design eliminates the risk of moving an animal smeared with glue around the room.

Electronic devices

Do-it-yourself electronic mousetrap can be made according to several schemes. For people with a technical background and knowledge of the laws of physics, making such a device will not be difficult. The simplest trap is a small device, in the center of which a fragrant treat is placed. When a mouse gets inside, the resistance of the circuit changes, as a result of which the damper closes and an audible signal is given to warn of the capture of the pest.

To combat rodents, a lot of preparations and devices are produced: poisons with an attractive smell, spring and electric mousetraps, ultrasonic repellers. As a rule, the acquisition of these funds flies a pretty penny. A do-it-yourself mousetrap is practically free and at the same time does an excellent job of catching rodents.

For people unable to kill an animal, such traps are the only way out: most of them lure the mouse into a trap without causing her the slightest harm. We will figure out how to make a mousetrap at home simply and without much effort.

Disposable traps

Disposable mousetraps will have to be reinstalled after each rodent caught. For their manufacture, improvised materials (ropes, bowls, plastic bottles) and simple tools (scissors and an awl) are used.

1 option

The classic mousetrap is a snap-top lid, making it quick and easy. You need a small container: a jar of 0.5-1 l, a deep plate, a disposable plastic cup. You will also need a coin or a nut, a bait is tied to them with a short rope. The coin is set on the edge and the edge of the container rests on it. The mouse yanks the rope after climbing into the jar, and it falls, preventing the pest from escaping.

This elementary mousetrap from a jar can be improved: instead of a coin, you can cut a rectangle about 2 cm wide from thick cardboard or plastic and sharpen it on one side so that it is convenient to put the bait on it.

Option 2

If food spoiled by rodents is found on the table, a disposable mousetrap from a bottle is most convenient. To make it, you will need a bottle of 1.5 liters, a rope about a meter long, an awl and strong scissors. We cut off the neck from the bottle at a distance of about 5 cm from the cork, pierce the hole at the top with an awl and tie a rope through it to the bottle. The second end of the rope must be fixed on the table, for example, tied to the handle of the pan.

To catch a mouse in such a bottle, it is placed on the edge of the table so that the bottom with the bait hangs in the air. The mouse, having climbed inside, outweighs, the whole structure falls down and hangs on a rope. It remains to drown the rodent or take it outside the house.

3 option

The simplest mousetrap, but at the same time quite effective, is made from a plastic bottle as follows: using a clerical knife, you need to cut the bottle into 2 parts in the place where it begins to narrow.

Turn the neck over and insert into the main part, the sections must be placed at the same level and fastened with tape or glued. A bait is placed at the bottom of the bottle, the neck is lubricated with any edible oil. The mouse, once inside, slides down and cannot get out.

The only difficulty is that this plastic bottle mousetrap should stand so that the mouse can easily reach the neck, for example, near the shelves. For mice, you can make paths so that it is easier for them to climb. Then the bottles will have to be weighted by pouring some stones or sand on the bottom.

reusable traps

Making a reusable mousetrap is not much more difficult, the designs of most of them are elementary and do not require special skills. Such traps can be checked every few days, throwing out the caught rodents. True, they cannot be left for more than a week, otherwise the room will be saturated with the smell of decomposition.

Seesaw principle

The design of the first reusable mousetrap, which is easy to make yourself, is based on the principle of a swing. It will require any container with a volume of 5 liters or more with a wide mouth: a bucket, a saucepan, plastic containers. Across the edge of the bucket, with the help of adhesive tape, a rigid wire, knitting needle or wooden twig is fixed.

You also need a plank a few centimeters wide and a little less than the diameter of the bucket. Suitable, for example, a ruler or a rectangle cut out of thick cardboard, plastic, metal.

We position this plank so that it rests on a knitting needle, one edge lies on the edge of the bucket, and the other with the bait placed on it is in the air. In order for the mouse to climb onto the board, a homemade mousetrap is installed on a stool at the edge of the table. You can make a ramp from the board and attach it to the trap.

To make the trap reusable, the balancing board must be attached to the spoke and positioned so that it returns to its original state.

spinning drum

The basis of this trap is the same as the previous one: a bucket and a bridge leading to it. In order to drop the rodent into the container, a rotating cylinder is used. To make it, you can take a small plastic bottle or a tin can. A small hole is made in the bottom of the bottle, and then it is put on a knitting needle. The needle is placed on the bucket as a continuation of the bridge and fixed.

A mousetrap from a bucket will work for a long time if the bait is placed around the entire circumference of the bottle. You can smear it or attach it with a rubber band. The mouse, attracted by the smell, climbs onto the drum, which turns, and the rodent is in the bucket. If the mouse is not going to be released outside the house, water is poured into the bottom of the bucket so that it chokes.

trap trap

How mousetraps work, easily letting a rodent inside and not letting it go back out. A simple option can be made from the same plastic bottle: cut off the top, and cut the edge of the main part into narrow triangles 5-7 cm long. The resulting teeth are bent inside the bottle, and the bait is placed there. The mouse easily squeezes into a trap between elastic plastic strips, but can no longer get out.

A more complex reusable version of this design can be made from a wooden box. A round hole is cut out in one of its walls at a distance of no more than 5 cm from the bottom. Steel wires 5-7 cm long are inserted along its perimeter at a distance of 1 cm from each other so that they are inside the box. The mouse, having climbed into the hole, falls through the wires and remains inside the box. Rat traps are made in the same way, you just need to increase the diameter of the hole.

glue trap

When catching mice, you can also use special glue from rodents. It is sold in hardware stores and supermarkets in the pest control section. According to the instructions, such glue is smeared on a cardboard box, and a bait is placed in the center. The mouse, hitting it with even one paw, sticks tightly. This is far from a humane mousetrap, the rodent in it dies long and painfully.

The disadvantage of this tool is the ability of the glue to stick to curious pets and smear everything around. You can avoid this by building reusable homemade mousetraps. A hole for a rodent is made in the shoe box on the side, a sheet of paper with applied glue is placed under it inside the box, and a tasty-smelling bait is placed in the depth. After that, it remains only to replace the paper.

Bait selection

World cinema has long inspired everyone that rodents love cheese more than anything in the world. In fact, it is quite difficult to catch a mouse on any dairy products. The most effective way to attract them to traps is to use:

lard, especially smoked,
smoked sausage,
white bread croutons,
unrefined sunflower oil,
Sesame oil,
roasted sunflower seeds and peanuts.

The maximum attraction for rodents is bread soaked in sesame oil.

Baits need to be changed periodically, because mice, sensing danger, stop responding to the smell of treats.

A mousetrap from improvised means will not require special efforts and financial costs, and the result from its use is often better than from industrial products. And in some cases, there is nothing left but to make a mousetrap with your own hands. It will take much less time than looking for a working store late at night or dragging yourself into the city from your summer house. Having decided on what materials are in the house, you can always find the right option from a huge selection of homemade traps.

For many residents of rural areas or owners of houses in the private sector, the issue of rodent control is almost always relevant.

And in order to get rid of mice, some people prefer to buy ready-made mousetraps, but such structures can not be found everywhere, and they are not always effective.

In order not to complain about useless ready-made structures, not to regret wasted money, make a mousetrap with your own hands from a plastic bottle.

Option one: use gravity

Do you constantly hear or see a mouse in your house? Then build a disposable mousetrap - after it works, it is installed again. But on the other hand, it is quite easy to make it, and you will spend very little time on its creation.

So, you will need a clean and empty bottle (preferably half a liter) made of plastic, some strong thread (if there is nylon, it will work best) and scissors.

Take your scissors and use them to cut off the top of your bottle. Make an incision in the place where it begins to narrow towards the neck.

Then, not far from the cut edge, it is necessary to make a small hole and tie the edge of the thread in this place, and attach or tie the second edge to something heavy so that the bottle can hold on to its weight.

Before attaching the mousetrap, turn it over horizontally and place the mouse bait on the bottom, at the very end.

You put the mousetrap on the table, but only in such a way that its bottom, along with the bait, hangs from the table. And don't forget to secure the end of the thread! Calculate its length so that when the bottle falls from the table, it remains hanging on this rope, and does not reach the floor.

That's it, your trap is ready to use. How does it work?

The mouse once again climbs into your house, smells the smell of the bait and will definitely climb into the bottle. When she reaches the bait, the bottle will immediately fall off the table, catching the animal in the process.

By the way, you can lay your homemade trap on a thin piece of fabric, because this way there will be less slip, and it will become easier for the mouse to get inside.

Option two: oil mousetrap

If you are not satisfied with the first trap option, then make another one.

To create it, you will need the same plastic bottle, preferably also one and a half or two-liter, clean.

Cut it with scissors or a knife (whichever is more convenient for you) approximately in a ratio of two to three, so that the side where the bottom of the bottle is located is longer.

Take the cut off top part, turn it over and in this position place it inside the second part of the bottle.

Make sure that the cut edges are at the same level - for this it is allowed to either glue them with glue, or pierce them (for example, with an awl), thread and fasten the wire.

When the edges of the wire are finally fastened, take ordinary sunflower oil and grease the tapering part of the cut bottle very generously with it.

Next, put bait in the form of seeds or peanuts at the very bottom of the trap and place it next to some shelf or cabinet near which a mouse can run and from which it could jump into the trap.

If you are concerned about the stability of such a simple structure, then you can also pour a small amount of small pebbles or sand onto the bottom of the trap.

The design itself, as you can see, is very simple in execution, it takes no more than fifteen minutes to create it.

The principle of its operation is as follows: the rodent follows the bait, falls into the prepared hole, never reaching the treat, but it can no longer get out, because the oil is very slippery and the mouse will not be able to catch on anything.

Option three: trap-trap

There is an option for an equally effective mousetrap, for the creation of which you will not need anything other than a half-liter bottle, scissors and bait.

How to make a mousetrap from a plastic bottle? The first step is to cut off the top of the bottle, but carefully so that the second part remains flat. The top part is no longer useful to you.

Now, using the same scissors, you must cut the so-called petals along the entire radius of the second part of the bottle. The length of the petals is about 5-7 centimeters, in general, it should be chosen so that the finished petals can cover more than half the diameter of the bottle. What for? Find out a little later.

When the petals are cut, bend them and press a little inside the container.

In theory, if you did everything as described, after bending the petals on the outside of the bottle, there will be another small hole through which the mouse can climb, but it will not be able to get out, because the prickly petals bent inward will interfere with it.

The mousetrap itself needs to be laid horizontally, and before bending the petals, put the bait inside.

Option four: homemade mousetrap from a plastic bottle with a lid

You can take both a half-liter and a two-liter bottle, but not one, but two and the same.

Take the first bottle, from which cut off only part of the conical part.

Then take the second bottle and cut off the entire conical part of it (this cut off part will become the lid for the trap).

On the conical part of the first container, that is, on its edges, make two identical and symmetrical holes so that you can fix the fishing line there - an overturned trap will be hung on it.

Next, you need to attach a lid to the top of the first bottle (it was mentioned above) and mark the center for two 5 mm holes. These holes should also coincide with the centers of those holes where the suspension line comes out.

After you have outlined everything, respectively, you need to make two holes in the lid.

Now take the fishing line and pass it through these holes, then tie the cap with the fishing line to the first bottle.

If you install the mousetrap in this way, then after the rodent overturns the lid is unlikely to close the bottle itself, and the bottle will remain standing on the table.

To fix this, you need to build a kind of pusher. It is made from ordinary wire, which is cut out and shaped in the form of the letter "P".

Tape the pusher as firmly as possible to the fastening lines at a distance of twenty centimeters from the bottle. Place the bottle again horizontally, upside down on the edge of a table or other surface.

As soon as the mouse climbs inside for the bait, the trap will fall down and the cap that you placed between the bottle and the pusher will be thrown off the table thanks to the pusher.

In addition, the pusher performs an additional function: it straightens the fishing lines so that the lid falls correctly.

When the mousetrap is assembled from a plastic bottle with your own hands, it remains only to think about what kind of bait to put for the rodent.

Contrary to popular belief, mice do not lose their heads from cheese - it is better to lure them with seeds, a piece of sausage or bread, lard.

You can moisten a piece of bread in vegetable oil, and such a treat will attract a gray pest no worse than cheese.

And here's another tip: if you forget about the mousetrap, then after a while an unpleasant smell will appear. To prevent this from happening, do not leave the mousetrap unattended for more than 7 days.