How to Make Homemade Traps for Rats and Mice

Are rodents outsmarting your store-bought traps? We’ll show you how to make homemade traps for rats and mice with materials found around your home. 

You have many options when it comes to homemade rodent traps, like bucket traps, cardboard roll traps, plastic bottle traps, and coffee can traps. Let’s uncover how each trap works so you can decide the best way to tackle your infestation with good old-fashioned DIY.

How to Make Homemade Rodent Traps

When you’re making a homemade trap to catch a rodent, the same basic ideas apply whether you’re trying to catch a rat or a mouse. The difference between them usually boils down to the receptacle the rodent is contained in. Rats are larger than mice and can jump higher, so they need a bigger container so that they can’t escape it easily.

How to Make a Bucket Trap

The first kind of homemade rodent trap you can make is the classic bucket trap.  The basic idea behind this trap is that the rodent will smell the peanut butter, climb up the ramp, and onto the can. Then, the can will roll and the rodent will fall into the bucket from their own body weight. It will stay there, contained, until you check the trap to release or dispose of it.

Key Differences for Rats & Mice

The difference between a bucket trap for rats and mice is the bucket or barrel you use. A 5-gallon bucket is enough to contain a mouse, but a rat can easily jump out of it or climb up the side. You also may need a larger ramp for rats.

When catching a rat, use a 55-gallon plastic barrel. A garbage can is suitable for this purpose. If you want to be safe, or don’t know which rodent you have, you can use the larger container for either rats or mice. Both rodents are capable of surviving much greater falls, so there’s no harm.

Step 1: Gather Materials

For this trap, you need certain materials. Here’s a short list of things you’ll need to make a bucket trap:

• An aluminum soda can
• A metal or plastic dowel rod
• A drill
• A 2 by 4 plank, ruler, or other long, straight piece of wood
• A plastic bucket or barrel
• Peanut butter for bait

Step 2: Setup

When you’ve gathered your materials, you need to set up the trap. Here are some step-by-step instructions for setting up a bucket trap:

• First, drill two small holes in the soda can, one on the top and one on the bottom. Ensure they’re directly across from each other. 

• Second, drill two holes of similar size in the rim of the bucket or barrel, again, directly across from one another.

• Next, insert the dowel through the holes in both the can and bucket, so that the can is suspended above the bucket.

• Smear the can in peanut butter so that it attracts the rodent.

• Place the bucket or barrel wherever you feel it will be most effective.

• Place the plank against the bucket or barrel so that it creates a ramp for the rodents to climb up.

How to Make a Cardboard Roll Trap

The next trap you can use is a cardboard or paper roll trap. The concept of this trap is that the rodent will crawl into the tube to get the peanut butter, which will cause the tube to fall over under its weight and into the bucket, where it will be trapped.

You can skip sealing the tube if you want the rodent to be contained in the bucket as opposed to the tube, but this will make release or disposal more difficult.

Key Differences for Rats & Mice

This trap works for both mice and rats, though you may need a larger tube for rats. If you seal the tube, you can use a simple 5-gallon bucket for either, but if not, you’ll need a larger 55-gallon barrel for a rat. Remember that this trap is single-use, so it’s not as effective during an infestation.

Step 1: Materials

Just like the bucket trap, you need the proper materials. Here’s what you’ll need to make your cardboard roll trap:

• A cardboard tube or a piece of paper
• Peanut butter for bait
• A plastic bucket/barrel
• Something to seal one end of the tube with, like a cap or tape (optional)
• A cardboard box (optional)
• Cotton balls (optional)
• Tape (optional)

Step 2: Setup

Once you have all your materials, you can begin assembling your trap. Here are some simple instructions for making your cardboard roll trap:

• First, shape the cardboard roll or paper. If you’re using a cardboard roll, flatten it and then create a crease on one side. This will ensure the roll has a flat side so that you can easily place it on a table or counter.   

• If you’re using paper, simply make a vertical fold that lines up about a third of the way across  the paper. Crease the fold and then unfold the paper. This creased portion will be the flat edge of the tube. Curve the remainder of the paper so the edges are touching, creating a curved dome over the flat side. Then, secure the edges  with tape to make a tube. 

• Next, seal one end of your tube with whatever you’ve chosen to use and ensure it’s secure. This step is optional, and only necessary if you wish for the rodent to be contained in the tube as opposed to the container

• Then, pack the sealed end of the tube with cotton balls to cushion the rodent’s fall. This step is only necessary if you sealed the tube

• Next, bait the trap with peanut butter. Smear a dollop of it on the sealed end of your tube, on the inside. You can use either end if it’s unsealed

• After that, position your tube so that about 40% of it, including the baited end, is hanging off a countertop or other elevated surface. If it falls off when you leave it alone, you can attach the end to the surface with a small amount of tape, but make sure it still falls when the rat goes inside

• Finally, position the bucket or barrel underneath the tube so that the rat will fall inside when it tips over. If you don’t have a surface high enough for the bucket/barrel, use the cardboard box to elevate the trap. 

How to Make a Plastic Bottle Trap

A plastic bottle trap is a bit more complicated than a bucket or cardboard roll trap. You may need a bit more know-how, but you should still be able to set it up without too much trouble.

This trap creates a makeshift cage using a plastic bottle and two rubber bands. If you’ve assembled it correctly, a string will keep the bottle open until the trap is triggered, creating an entryway. When a rodent goes to take the bait, it will tug on a paper clip, releasing it from the string. Without the string’s tension holding it in place, the rubber bands will close the trap and keep the rodent inside.

Differences for Rats & Mice

When it comes to making this trap for mice or rats, the difference is, once again, the size of the container. A water or soda bottle may be sufficient for a mouse, whereas a rat may require a 2-liter bottle. Surprisingly enough, the best bait for either is not peanut butter, as it’s too viscous and rodents can simply lick it off the clip. Bacon or cheese is a better choice.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Here’s what you need to get started:

• A plastic soda or water bottle. You can use a 2-liter bottle or a smaller one
• A knife, scissors, or something to cut the bottle with
• Chopsticks
• Small rubber bands or hair ties
• String
• Bait
• A drill, screwdriver, or other device to make holes in the bottle with
• A paper clip

Step 2: Setup

The steps for making a plastic bottle trap are as follows:

• Cut through the top third of the bottle, but not all the way around– just enough for the top to separate and create a bendable hinge.   

• Drill two tiny holes opposite from each other in the top portion of the bottle, close to the edge. These holes should be on the left and right sides of the hinge. 

• Drill two more holes opposite from each other on the bottom portion near the edge. These holes should be on the left and right sides of the hinge. They ought to be in line with the holes on the top portion. 

• Insert chopsticks through the holes in each portion so that they go from one hole to the other.

• Remove the cap of the bottle and feed some of the string through the opening, then close the cap securely.

• Create a loop with the other end of the string. Ensure the string is shorter than the length of the bottle. 

• Drill one hole in the back of the bottle, on the same side of the hinge, as far back as you can without it being the bottom of the bottle. 

• Straighten one end of the paper clip and insert it through the bottle and into the hole in the back of the bottle so that it’s sticking straight up through the hole.

• Attach bait to the portion of the paper clip still inside the bottle. You may need to unfold the paper clip to secure the bait. 

• Put the loop of your string over the portion of paper clip sticking out the bottle.

• Use two small rubber bands to connect the chopsticks on the top and bottom portions of the bottle.

• Position your trap wherever you believe it will be most effective.

How to Make a Coffee Can Trap

Finally, you also have the option to make a coffee can trap. This name is a bit of a misnomer, as it can work with any kind of container in theory, but coffee cans are the most common.

The concept behind this trap is to create a pitfall using a perforated piece of paper and a coffee can or other container. When you make this trap correctly, the rodent will climb up your ramp and go for the bait. It will believe the paper on top of the can to be a sturdy surface, but once it reaches the X you cut out, it will fall through into the container below.

Differences for Rats & Mice

No matter what kind of container you use, the paper will likely keep the rodent from escaping whether it’s a rat or mouse. However, it’s not impossible that it will get out through the same hole it fell in through, especially if it’s a rat or if the paper tears and leaves an opening.

To be absolutely sure the rodent can’t escape, use a larger container. You can even use something as large as a garbage can if you want to. If you use peanut butter or another viscous bait, it will continue to attract more rodents. On the other hand, if you use something solid like bacon, it will also fall through and may not attract more.

Step 1: Gather Materials

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

• A coffee can or other container with smooth sides so that the rodent can’t climb up
• Construction paper or tissue paper
• A knife, pencil, or other instrument to cut and/or poke holes in the paper with
• Tape and/or rubber bands
• Bait
• Something to create a ramp (rulers for small containers, wood planks for large ones)

Step 2: Setup

Once you have all your materials, follow these steps to set up your trap:

• If using a coffee can or similarly sized container, wrap the construction paper over the top and secure it in place with rubber bands.

• If using a larger container, such as a plastic barrel or garbage can, lay planks over the top and tape the construction paper to them, leaving a space underneath the paper.

• Cut an X into the construction paper, or poke small holes in the same pattern.

• Bait the trap, on top of the X.

• Position the trap wherever you believe it will be most effective.

• Place your rulers, planks, or other ramp against the side of the container to allow the rodent to climb up.

What Is the Best Homemade Rodent Trap?

By and large, the best homemade rodent trap is the bucket trap. Unlike other types, it doesn’t need to be reset between uses and is capable of holding multiple rodents at once without major modifications. This makes it the most effective when dealing with an infestation. Rats and mice are rarely alone, after all, and if you’ve seen signs of one rodent, it’s likely there’s many.

What Rodent Traps Not to Use

When selecting a trap for your rodents, you also need to know what kinds not to use and what not to do. For example, when using a live capture trap, do not put oil inside to keep the rodent from climbing up the sides unless you’re prepared to clean it off the animal. Oil reduces the chance of the rodent surviving after you release it.

If you choose to use a lethal trap, you need to ensure it kills the rodent quickly to avoid making it suffer. Therefore water or glue traps should never be used. Glue traps are actually banned in many countries because they’re so inhumane, and are not recommended by the CDC due to potential exposure to disease.

While live capture traps are also not recommended by the CDC due to possible exposure to diseases that rats, mice, and other rodents carry, they’re still the most humane option, especially when using homemade traps.

How to Release a Rodent

Your job isn’t done once you’ve successfully trapped your rodent. When you have a rat in a trap, you need to either eliminate it or release it into the wild. With a homemade trap, release is the more common option. Whichever one you choose, you need to protect yourself.

To protect yourself from disease when handling a rodent, wear protective clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy jeans, closed-toed shoes, and an N95 mask. Wash everything you wore as soon as you’re done and sanitize anything that the rodent touched.

When releasing a mouse or rat into the wild, take it at least five miles away to prevent it from coming back. If you can, choose a spot with a body of water between it and your home. Finally, release the rodent with a small amount of food to ensure you’re being as humane as possible.

How Much Does a Rodent Exterminator Cost?

Unfortunately, DIY can only go so far. When homemade traps fail, it’s time to call in the experts. A professional rodent exterminator can cost $245 to $430 on average, but the final cost can vary widely depending on factors like the size of your house, the severity of your infestation, and the extermination method used.

If you want to avoid paying for a pro exterminator, you can also try store-bought methods. For example, rodent smoke bombs work well in flushing out rats from their dens in your yard, so you can use them to scare them into a container. There are plenty of safe rodent control strategies you can use for your home that don’t involve calling a professional.

FAQ About Rodents

How do I keep rats and mice away from my home?

The best way to keep your home rodent-free is to eliminate conditions that attract rodents. To that end, you need to keep it clean and not leave food lying around. You should also seal any cracks or holes you find in your exterior and foundation and cover the holes with steel wool, which keeps out mice and rats.

As long as you’re keeping up with regular home cleaning and maintenance, your risk of a rodent infestation will decrease significantly.

You can also use a rodent repellent. Rodent repellent sprays work using smells the rats or mice hate, such as eucalyptus and mint. You can also soak cotton balls in oils that carry the same scents and scatter them around to keep the rodents away.

Rodents hate the scent of peppermint oil, so it may repel mice and rats when used, for example. Remember, however, that repellents aren’t consistent and shouldn’t be relied on to deter rodents alone.

Will rats infest my car?

Yes, unfortunately. As disturbing as the thought is, rats will infest your vehicles if given the chance. When they do, you need to take steps to protect your car’s wiring from the rodents and have them removed by a professional. You also need to get your car serviced by a mechanic to determine the extent of the damage and how to fix it.

How do I know when a rodent infestation is gone?

It can be tough to tell when a rodent problem has been fully dealt with, especially since seeing them firsthand is so rare. During the infestation, keep an eye out for signs of the rats, including their droppings and trails. When it’s over, there should be no more.

To check and see if the rats are fully gone, you can scatter flour or talcum powder along a trail to see if they’re still using it, or leave food out overnight and see if it gets taken or chewed on. If you get a home inspection once you suspect the infestation has been dealt with, as you should, they’ll be able to tell you definitively whether your home is rodent-free or not.

Find a Rodent Pro

Homemade rodent traps can be just as effective as store-bought. They could be just the solution you need when a rat problem is proving stubborn.

If you find that your homemade traps are failing, contact pest control professionals near you. They can get rid of your rodent infestation and keep your home safe.

Main Photo Credit: cascoly / Canva Pro / License