DIY Home Improvement Forum banner
Cancel

One-way mouse gate

2900 Views 28 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Bud9051, 
S
I found this hole today leading to the crawl space. I don't know how long it's been there.



I'd like to make a one-way trap so the mice can get out but not back in. I was thinking of a tube made of nylon window screen. Will this work?
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
B
Best to trap them and reduce their numbers. Plus, that is a big hole and mor like something a rat would do, bigger and stronger teeth.

Do you have access from inside where you could set the trap?

Bud
Reply
Save
Like
B
I realize I didn't answer your question, but have been thinking on it. Here is a possibility, although your space may be too limited.

Google "bucket trap for mice" many ideas. If these are indeed mice a deep enough bucket should prevent them from jumping out. Then provide them with a tunnel leading outside, through that hole for instance. If one were to try to come back in they would end up in the bucket with only one way out, back from where they came.

Just a thought.

Check for any droppings, they will help identify your critters.

Bud
Reply
Save
Like
D
Get some snap traps for mice, put some fresh peanut butter and place them around the area. Wear gloves.
If you have rats, use rat snap traps.
Glue traps might work too.
Constant supervision, replacing bait and relocating the traps will get results.
Wear gloves and if you catch one, dispose the trap too - eliminate scent.
Keep doing it till there's no activity.
Reply
Save
Like
C
I'm with Bud on this one. Snap traps work well and catch most mice. Bucket traps work even better and catch virtually all mice. If you've decided you want a no-kill option, the bucket trap is your best bet, whether you let them out through a tunnel or just carry them away in the bucket.

Look for a "walk the plank" bucket trap mechanism. You can get them on Amazon. It's by far the most effective. Look for "Mousetrap Monday" on YouTube for more info.

I've successfully reset snap traps and caught multiple mice. From my experience, they're actually more likely to be attracted to the scent of other mice having been there than repulsed by the scent of a dead one. Another myth is that they're too stupid to learn to avoid traps. I have seen them avoid a trap they almost got caught in. Yes, I set up a security camera just like the Mousetrap Monday guy does.

My shed, formerly a massive mouse breeding ground, is down to one mouse caught every few months, from a high of multiples every night. The plank trap gets them before they can set up housekeeping and breed. I've never had anything remotely as successful.
See less See more
Reply
Save
Like
Missouri Bound
StevenS said:
I'd like to make a one-way trap so the mice can get out but not back in. ?
Click to expand...
I'm guessing you don't want to kill the mice, just get rid of them.
There are traps called "Mice Cube".
They are black plastic traps with a one way trap door. You throw in a cracker with peanut butter and set it where the mice go.
It's a live trap so you will have to pick it up and release the mice far far away if you don't want to exterminate them. They work very well to catch mice.
What you do with them afterwards is up to you. But check them everyday because a mouse can't live in it forever. A dead mouse smelling up your home is as bad as a live mice crapping in your cabinets.
I live on 5 acres. I use these traps myself because I have no desire to kill anything unless it harms me.
Use the traps, close up the hole when they are gone and your good to go.
Reply
Save
Like
Old Thomas
Releasing mice seems humane but where do you find the guy who wants your mice released on his property? I don’t want them and I don’t know anyone who does.
Reply
Save
Like
Missouri Bound
Old Thomas said:
Releasing mice seems humane but where do you find the guy who wants your mice released on his property? I don’t want them and I don’t know anyone who does.
Click to expand...
I don't care if they are on my property....just not in my home.
Reply
Save
Like
C
During the "Squirrel Apocalypse" in the Fall of 2018, when the Northeast was overrun by a huge boom in the squirrel population, we learned that it was illegal to release wild animals on someone else's property. Not sure about mice, but squirrels, we learned, will return to their home territory from 10 or more miles away. It was a real challenge for anyone not wanting to kill them.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Catch and release plan. Offer to donate them to a research science lab.:biggrin2:
Reply
Save
Like
S
I have videos!
Rodent leaving at 8 p.m.

Rodent arriving at 7 a.m.

This is not a mouse.
My wife wants it gone.
I have called a professional. He will be here to inspect on Thursday.
Reply
Save
Like
S
That rat would be so easy to snare at that location. Better get both of them before they reproduce. When building and setting the snare wear synthetic gloves to prevent human smell. Did you notice it stopping to smell before making the final decision to exit or enter?
Reply
Save
Like
S
SeniorSitizen said:
Did you notice it stopping to smell before making the final decision to exit or enter?
Click to expand...
No. It just runs directly in and out. Perhaps it feeds around the neighborhood and isn't hungry when it comes back home.
Reply
Save
Like
B
Wow, I was afraid of that given the size of the hole. I would guess there is already a nest with young, that time of year. Calling a pro is not a bad choice and I do understand your wife.

Is there any clutter in the crawlspace where they could easily create a nest. If not they may have gone up into one of the walls, like around the plumbing vent pipe, and all the way into the attic. Lots of good nesting material up there.

Keep us updated,
Bud
Reply
Save
Like
S
Believe me, he was smelling, possibly quicker than very noticeable to many humans, but he was smelling.:smile:
Reply
Save
Like
  • Like
Reactions: 2
Missouri Bound
I have a some friends who have a farm.
They have pack rats in the walls from time to time. Poisoning them works.
Then you have dead pack rats in the wall.
Try and get over that smell.
Reply
Save
Like
S
Missouri Bound said:
I have a some friends who have a farm.
They have pack rats in the walls from time to time. Poisoning them works.
Then you have dead pack rats in the wall.
Try and get over that smell.
Click to expand...
That's why I don't want to poison them, or patch the hole, sealing them inside to die of thirst.

The black box you see in the videos I posted is a high-tech rat trap that uses high voltage to kill the rat if it enters the trap.
Reply
Save
Like
S
SeniorSitizen said:
Believe me, he was smelling, possibly quicker than very noticeable to many humans, but he was smelling.:smile:
Click to expand...
I caught him smelling, but he didn't go in.
https://video.nest.com/clip/5840ece16d814c9fbd00e626141f53d4.mp4
I just replaced the bait before that video. This time I used a combination of peanut butter and Tomcat Bait Gel.


How often do I need to change the bait?
Reply
Save
Like
S
StevenS said:
I caught him smelling, but he didn't go in.
https://video.nest.com/clip/5840ece16d814c9fbd00e626141f53d4.mp4
I just replaced the bait before that video. This time I used a combination of peanut butter and Tomcat Bait Gel.


How often do I need to change the bait?
Click to expand...
For that rat remove that bait and put a small piece of meat in for bait.
Reply
Save
Like
B
From the video it looks like you caught his attention. I'm not a pro but would not disturb anything for a few days, they are cautious as you can see.

One thing I do is offer some free bait just outside the trap. When you see some missing you then know what he likes. Plus he gets used to the free goodies and eventually the only source will be inside the trap.

The one nest I dug out in my house had a lot of chicken bones off to the side. Apparently they were raiding my trash can. But in the future some chicken will be on my rat bait list. Fortunately I have been ok for 35 years now.

Bud
Reply
Save
Like
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
DIY Home Improvement Forum
A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Helping You to Do It Yourself!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Electrical HVAC Building & Construction Plumbing General DIY Discussions

Top Contributors this Month

View All
Nealtw
chandler48
DoomsDave
Recommended Communities
Community avatar for AVS Forum
AVS Forum
1M+ members
Community avatar for Electricians
Electricians
102K+ members
Community avatar for 3d printers
3d printers
NEW!
80+ members
Top