Believe it or not, there’s a guy on YouTube with a channel specifically dedicated to reviewing and testing mouse traps. It’s a rabbit hole that is well worth going down if you hate rodents in your garage or shop! Well, this guy swears by this “walk the plank” mouse trap that you can purchase on eBay. The concept is similar to the ol spinning bottle and bucket trick, but much better. The mouse feels stable on the platform, and therefore fully commits to going for the bait... then it’s too late... the bottom falls out!
I decided yesterday afternoon I was going to try making one. I took a thin sheet of aluminum and cut about a 2.5” x 6” rectangle out of it. Then popped a couple small holes in it and folded the edges over. As it turns out, an average mouse weighs about 0.5 - 1.0 ounce. Conveniently, a AA battery is slightly less than an ounce. So I played around with the weigh distribution and balance, and settled on two AA batteries as my counterweight. My pivot point is roughly 2” from the end. I then mounted it inside an old bucket, notching out the side so that the “plank” has a shelf to rest on. Added a walkway board and Wah-Lah! Homemade walk-the-plank mouse trap. I baited it with some smooth peanut butter and let it go to work.
Pleasantly surprised this morning with my results!
The only thing I need to add is a block or bumper to keep the plank from over-rotating and getting stuck in an inverted position. I likely would have caught more than 2 last night if it weren’t for my plank being completely vertical when I came in.
I decided yesterday afternoon I was going to try making one. I took a thin sheet of aluminum and cut about a 2.5” x 6” rectangle out of it. Then popped a couple small holes in it and folded the edges over. As it turns out, an average mouse weighs about 0.5 - 1.0 ounce. Conveniently, a AA battery is slightly less than an ounce. So I played around with the weigh distribution and balance, and settled on two AA batteries as my counterweight. My pivot point is roughly 2” from the end. I then mounted it inside an old bucket, notching out the side so that the “plank” has a shelf to rest on. Added a walkway board and Wah-Lah! Homemade walk-the-plank mouse trap. I baited it with some smooth peanut butter and let it go to work.
Pleasantly surprised this morning with my results!
The only thing I need to add is a block or bumper to keep the plank from over-rotating and getting stuck in an inverted position. I likely would have caught more than 2 last night if it weren’t for my plank being completely vertical when I came in.
