Building a better mouse trap
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 687
Building a better mouse trap
Yes its true a better mouse trap can be built.
Its fall in MN. In my old storage building mice like to make their home for the winter. I only use mouse traps because we have dogs as do the neighbors so mouse poison is out of the question. The problem has been even though the traps are baited with peanut butter the little rascals clean the trap off and don't trip the trap.
I use the mouse traps with the yellow pads. Got to looking at one and did some testing. (I know its a bit slow this time of year.) It takes some pressure to make the trap trip. So I slightly shorten the metal trip lever and then tapered the end in my sander to end up with a truly hair trigger trap. Have to be careful setting it down because it will trip. Last night two mice.
Hope this helps.
Its fall in MN. In my old storage building mice like to make their home for the winter. I only use mouse traps because we have dogs as do the neighbors so mouse poison is out of the question. The problem has been even though the traps are baited with peanut butter the little rascals clean the trap off and don't trip the trap.
I use the mouse traps with the yellow pads. Got to looking at one and did some testing. (I know its a bit slow this time of year.) It takes some pressure to make the trap trip. So I slightly shorten the metal trip lever and then tapered the end in my sander to end up with a truly hair trigger trap. Have to be careful setting it down because it will trip. Last night two mice.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Don't know what this has to do with Vettes, but I will add some pointers. Being that I am a semi-pro mouse trapper, here are some tips:
Always fasten / nail the trap to a small piece of wood such as a 1 X4. This will add some much needed weight and will eliminate problem of the trap flipping over and missing the target.
Never add bait to the TOP of the bait tray. You will get too many bait robbers. A better way is to smear pb UNDER the bait tray. This will force the mouse to use its nose to lift the tray, snapping the bail.
Smear a dab of PB at the bait-tray end of the trap on your scrap piece of wood. This will "steer" the mouse in the correct direction instead of it approaching over the bail end and releasing it accidently.
Caught around 65 so far this yr in my outbuildings with two months to go.
Always fasten / nail the trap to a small piece of wood such as a 1 X4. This will add some much needed weight and will eliminate problem of the trap flipping over and missing the target.
Never add bait to the TOP of the bait tray. You will get too many bait robbers. A better way is to smear pb UNDER the bait tray. This will force the mouse to use its nose to lift the tray, snapping the bail.
Smear a dab of PB at the bait-tray end of the trap on your scrap piece of wood. This will "steer" the mouse in the correct direction instead of it approaching over the bail end and releasing it accidently.
Caught around 65 so far this yr in my outbuildings with two months to go.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Oct 21, 2019 at 09:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
And until they come up with a better robot version, cats will sometimes catch mice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 882
Likes: 52
I use the glue traps. I got 2 about a week ago. The snap traps don't seem to get them, but placing the glue traps near the garage door opening get them.
I also leave the lights on 24/7 and play rock music. but not too loud.
i read someplace that they don't like the light, and they don't like noise, so i play a local rock FM station.
I still get some, but not as bad as I used. still cant figure out where they get in.
I also leave the lights on 24/7 and play rock music. but not too loud.
i read someplace that they don't like the light, and they don't like noise, so i play a local rock FM station.
I still get some, but not as bad as I used. still cant figure out where they get in.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 687
We do have some above average mice here in MN. But their numbers are down by 12 so far this year. Not even close to the semi-pro above thank goodness. Good tip on the fastening the trap to piece of wood. Also if you can "channel" the mice over with the trap with a chunk of wood.
We tried the sticky traps but my wife didn't like the live mice caught on the sticky trap.
As said above nothing to do with Vetts but just trying to keep the mice out of the Vette!
We tried the sticky traps but my wife didn't like the live mice caught on the sticky trap.
As said above nothing to do with Vetts but just trying to keep the mice out of the Vette!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
I've tried all brands types of mouse traps ... best I've found are also the cheapest ... a conventional snap w/ wire, a stamped lever and wood bottom.
These PIC have a Very strong, fast spring and a robust lever with a light trigger.
That spring's so strong it tries to pull the staples loose from the wood. Hard-hitting, Lethal.
These PIC leave current Victor empty of both bait & prey.
PIC Corporation made in China
https://pic-corp.com/rodent/
I buy em in a four-pak stock# MTW-4 at local "Dollar Tree" dollar discount store for one lousy buck ... a quarter a piece!
SKU/UPC 072477981137
These PIC have a Very strong, fast spring and a robust lever with a light trigger.
That spring's so strong it tries to pull the staples loose from the wood. Hard-hitting, Lethal.
These PIC leave current Victor empty of both bait & prey.
PIC Corporation made in China
https://pic-corp.com/rodent/
I buy em in a four-pak stock# MTW-4 at local "Dollar Tree" dollar discount store for one lousy buck ... a quarter a piece!
SKU/UPC 072477981137
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
I made one of these but used a soda bottle and a straight piece of wire got three the first night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SIlYiiCGLI
Last edited by onaqwst; Oct 23, 2019 at 12:16 PM.