How to catch a mouse without a mousetrap

[eppur_se_muova]

Humanely

I had a little friend visit my apartment the other week, and for a while there I was ready to make peace with him and co-exist. But after I cleaned up the place and ordered pizza one night, and it crawled up the side of my chair onto the sleeve of my shirt, I knew it was time to bid farewell.

Here's how I caught the critter:

1. Get a toilet paper tube and crease two lines to form a flat sided tunnel.
2. Put a treat on one end of the tube: A cracker and dab of peanut butter works great.
3. Get a tall (at least 20 inches) bucket. A trash can works well.
4. Balance the tube precariously on the edge of a table or counter with the treat hanging directly over the tall sided receptacle.
5. The mouse will scurry to the treat (they like tunnels) and fall into the trap.

Set the fella loose at least a mile away from your abode.

Postnote: It worked within the hour.

Also, folks have asked how this could work if you don't have a counter or table. Simple: get a piece of cardboard and crease it to make a ramp up to a small trashcan.

[Robeson]

1. Wow, thanks for the tip. Looks like a great idea....

...:thumbsup:

[silverweb]

2. Brilliant.

:D

This is a problem I'm not likely to have, since I live with three cats, but it's great information to have for sharing!

[CrispyQ]

3. Funny mouse story.

Years ago we had a mouse in the house. We had four cats at the time, go figure. Anyway, one night I heard scratching in the kitchen, went out there, turned on a light & of course the scratching stopped. This happened a few times & I decided that perhaps it was time to clean under the stove. So I pulled it out, was surprised at the lack of crumbs under the stove, but cleaned it anyway.

Later, I heard a different type of scratching -- a more aggressive scratching. I went out to the kitchen to find my cat on the counter with her paw down the toaster. Yep, the mouse was in the toaster. :rofl:

Your idea is very good & I will remember it for the future! :thumbsup:

[garybeck]

4. there are also live mouse traps at Home Depot now

I have used them several times and they work pretty good. they come in a two pack and they're only a few bucks.

[CrispyQ]

5. We have a little mouse living under one of our bird baths.

:)

We're careful to dump the water so it flows away from his hole. Sometimes he's under there & he is so cute. He scurries to the bush right by & he is so fast! Earlier this season a small garden snake resided there.