Do-It-Yourself Mice Traps That Work

Humane pest control options are popular these days. One of these options include the live trapping of mice. Even though there are an abundance of products available on the market for people seeking to figure out how to get rid of house mice, some people prefer to build their own traps. Here's an option for do-it-yourself mice traps that work.

The DIY garbage can (or bucket) trap is easy to build and effective. This simple do-it-yourself trap and variations of it have been made by homeowners everywhere. In both of the variations below, remember to use a tall garbage can or bucket - mice are very good jumpers!

Variation #1: For trapping mice traveling on the ground

You will need a tall metal or sturdy plastic garbage can, or a tall plastic bucket; a scrap piece of wood; and some fragrant and tasty mouse trap bait.

Put the bait inside the garbage can. Lay the piece of scrap wood from the ground to the lip of the garbage can to form a 'ramp'. You might also want to place a tiny bit of bait on the end of the wood that rests against the garbage can (don't use a lot of bait - the idea is to entice the mouse up the ramp, not to give it a free snack). Mice will climb up the ramp and lean over the mouth of the garbage can to reach the bait at the bottom. Once they fall in, they won't be able to climb back up.

Variation #2: For trapping mice traveling along raised surfaces (like tables)

You will need a tall metal or sturdy plastic garbage can (or a tall plastic bucket); an empty toilet paper or paper towel tube; and some tasty morsels to use as bait.

Position the garbage can below the lip of the table or other surface where the mice are known to travel. Put the bait at the very tip of one end of the toilet paper tube (don't put too much... you just want to entice the mouse without allowing it to grab some of the bait and escape).

Carefully place the tube on the edge of the table, with the baited end sticking out over the garbage can as far as possible without the tube falling in. The mouse will enter the tube to get to the bait... and once they step on the overhanging end of the tube, they'll fall into the garbage can, unable to climb back out.

One advantage of this trap is that it's simple to build and very effective. It can catch several mice at the same time. The main disadvantage of this trap and every other live trap, is that you will need a plan to relocate and release the mice. Live traps should also be checked several times a day (at a minimum). Trapped mice should be promptly released so that they do not die of hunger, dehydration, or stress.

Homeowners should be aware that no matter what type of trap is used, there is always the potential of a nest of baby mice stashed somewhere in the house. If the mother is removed from the babies and cannot get back to them, the babies may die - and that can be a whole separate issue in itself (decomposing bodies can cause odor problems as well as attract other types of pests). It's best to trap when certain that there are no babies, or ask for help from professionals who can determine if there are baby mice in the home.

Both of these options are fairly simple to set up and they really are mice traps that work ... and work well! However, if you have a large infestation you may need the help of a professional pest control service - they have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to get the infestation under control fast and prevent the problem from getting worse. Regardless of how you get rid of the mice inside the house, once they're gone all entry points should be securely sealed tight and preventive pest control measures taken to stop the problem from happening again.