Have you ever experienced the unsettling feeling of hearing tiny pitter-patters or finding bite marks on your food, only to discover that you have unwelcome visitors in your home?
Rat infestation can be a nightmare to deal with, and while there are countless mouse traps on the market, bucket mouse traps have become increasingly popular in recent years. But are bucket mouse traps effective?
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at bucket mouse traps, explore their significance in the battle against rodent infestations, and determine whether or not they live up to the hype.
Whether you’re a homeowner, a renter, or simply someone who wants to keep their living space rodent-free, you won’t want to miss this informative and thought-provoking discussion on bucket mouse traps.
Are Bucket Mouse Traps Effective?
Yes, bucket mouse traps are effective in capturing or killing mice since once these rodents drop into the market, getting out is pretty tricky due to the bucket’s slick walls.
Some designs of this mouse trap feature a bowl with a deep vegetable oil layer. This makes the bucket walls too slippery so the mice won’t climb out.
Also Read: How To Get Rid Of Mice In Walls Fast
In addition, these mice traps entice these rodents using baits such as peanut butter which they enjoy eating. Furthermore, the effectiveness of bucket mouse traps last for an extended period, be it weeks or months.
3 Best Bucket Mouse Traps
Consider these bucket mouse traps if you don’t have the necessary skills and time for a DIY project or simply prefer to buy.
1. Rat Trap, Automatic Reset Rat Catching Traps
This trap fits perfectly onto a 6-gallon bucket which is easily accessible in most households, and can capture 30 to 40 mice making it highly effective. Click here to see today’s price on Amazon.
It is designed with two flip trap doors, and each door has an inner side and an outer side, and a ladder.
Unlike traditional mouse traps, kids and pets can grasp or hold this trap without getting hurt.
Furthermore, it provides a humane method of eradicating mice since it doesn’t use chemicals or sticky liquids and doesn’t snap.
You can use it in your basement, kitchen, barn, garage, dumping ground, and garden.
Pros
- Safe for pets and kids
- Humane
- Capture multiple mice
- Suitable for outdoor and indoor use
Cons
It doesn’t come with a bucket
2. Gardenix Decor 5 Gallon Bucket Lid Mouse Rat Trap
Do not worry about getting hurt while setting up this trap or your pets or children hurting themselves because it doesn’t have spring-loaded parts. Click here to see current price on Amazon.
This no-kill trap captures mice and medium or small-sized rats outdoors and indoors.
Since a bucket is not included, you’ll have to use one of your 5-gallon buckets. It is also economical because you can reuse it multiple times.
The Gardenix Décor mouse trap comes with a 20-inch climbing ladder.
Pros
- Practical and reusable.
- 100% safe and humane.
- Mess-free.
Cons
- A bucket isn’t included.
- It may not fit a standard 5-gallon bucket.
3. RinneTraps – Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Mouse Trap
You can catch more than 30 mice and more than 10 medium-sized rats using this mouse trap. Click here to see current price on Amazon.
It is mess-free and safe for your kids and pets since it doesn’t have pinch points or entail harmful chemicals.
Moreover, RinneTraps Flip N Slide is reusable. It is also humane, allowing you to capture and release mice, but if you want to kill the rodents, add water into the bucket, and they will drown.
Pros
- Suitable for eliminating large mice infestations
- Reusable, practical, and humane
- Safe for pets and kids
Cons
- It doesn’t come with a bucket
Also Read: How to get rid of mice in the house fast
How Bucket Mouse Traps Work?
As mentioned, bucket mouse traps work by only capturing the mice or killing them if you add water to the bucket.
Below is a breakdown of these mouse trap mechanisms.
- The mouse will smell the sweet aroma of the bait (it could be peanut butter or something else) and follow it to the bucket trap.
- The mouse will then climb the ladder or plank then, leap on the suspended pop can with the bait or walk on the trap door.
- The trap door will flip, or the can will turn, dropping the mouse into the bucket.
- The mouse will drown if the bucket has water or gets trapped until you release it.
How Do You Use A Bucket Mouse Trap?
Use a bucket mouse trap to capture and release mice or kill them by drowning. Place the trap in areas frequented by mice or their nesting spots, then position the climbing ladder or a plank to help the mice climb into the bucket.
Place the bait on the trap door, smear it around the suspended can, and then wait for the trap to capture the mice.
How Do You Make A Simple Bucket Mouse Trap?
Follow these steps to make a practical bucket mouse trap.
Materials
- 5-gallon bucket
- Peanut bucket
- Tin can or pop can
- A wood scrap
- Wire hanger
- Pliers
- Tiny drill bit- its size should be slightly bigger than the wire hanger
- Drill
Process
- Cut the wire hanger’s straight portion using pliers to make a straight wire.
- Use the drill bit and drill to make two holes on the 5-gallon bucket top side opposite each other.
- Drill the pop or tin can’s ends to make two holes.
- Thread the wire you made through one hole on the bucket through the tin or pop can holes, then the other hole on the bucket. Secure the wire by bending its ends using pliers, then position the can well (it needs to be at the bucket’s center).
- Evenly spread peanut butter on the tin or pop can.
- Slant a ramp against the bucket. It can be made of wood, yard sticks, or even cardboard.
FAQs
Can Mice Jump Out Of A Bucket?
Mice can jump up to 12 inches high, meaning they can get out of the bucket used in a bucket mouse trap.
How Long Can A Mouse Survive In A Bucket Of Water?
Mice can survive up to 3 minutes when fully submerged in water and thread water or swim for 3 days.
Final Thoughts
A bucket mouse trap is worth considering when looking for a trap to eliminate mice. It’s highly effective and is ideal for capturing many mice. However, remember, it’s not 100%foolproof.
I’m Mike Hyle, an exterminator with 7+ years of experience handling all sorts of pests, including mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites. I also write for Pest Solutions DIY blog to share my knowledge and help homeowners keep their homes pest-free. Outside work, I enjoy hunting, snowshoeing, and exploring nature. Check out my blog for helpful pest control tips!