Magnetic Bucket Mouse Trap

This model is designed to catch mice effectively and continually for areas like sheds or garages where there are many mice. It boasts a weight configurable counter ballast, magnetic coupling, and a number of small enhancements that ensures that every mouse in the area will be caught.

Additional Hardware Required:

• 1x 608 Bearing (Skateboard bearing)
• Super Glue
• 2x magnets for coupling (6mm x 10mm x 2mm or similar)
• Pennies or coins for balancing the counter balance
• 1x 5gallon bucket
• Paper Towel for firm fitting device onto a bucket
• 1x m3x12 screw for Feathering Ballast
• 1x m3x20 screw for Bearing Axel
• 1x US Quarter or equivalent weight to tune the trap to
• Bait (Peanut Butter)

Assembly Instructions:

1. Print out all 3 parts using 20% infill. 
2. Wedge the Bearing Insert into the 608 Bearing Insert.
3. Carefully glue the 608 Bearing into the top plank of the trap ensuring that it is centered into the trap. Do not get glue on the moveable parts of the bearing, otherwise you'll need to replace the bearing. The inside of the bearing should continue to move freely.
4. Attach the plank onto the base part using the m3x20 screw. Test to ensure that the plank moves freely and tips back and forth with little to no friction.
5. Insert one magnet into the back of the plank piece and secure it in place with a dab of glue.
6. Insert the other magnet into the base, making sure that it is oriented in such a way to attract the plank portion of the trap.
7. Insert the m3x12 screw into the bottom of the base, but do not tighten it all the way.
8. Attach the trap to the rim of your 5 gallon bucket; use a paper towel to friction fit the base in place so that it does not wobble.
9. Bait the end of the plank with a copious gob of peanut butter; press it flat into the bait tray.

Ballast Tuning Instructions:

The plank requires a counter ballast weight so that the trap itself returns to its neutral position. Add a number of pennies and coins into the ballast so that the trap rights itself into the correct reset position. A small bit of paper towel cloth or putty can be used to keep the coins in place and prevents them from falling out. You'll know when you have the right amount of weight added when the trap gently rocks back from the tripped position inside the bucket, but ultimately the correct weight will depend on a number of factors including how much peanut butter was added, the print infill, and the overall effectiveness of the bearing used.

Feathering Screw Tuning Instructions:

Most mice weigh about 5 grams, which is about the same weight as a US quarter. Place the quarter near the end of the trap, just before the peanut butter. Slowly screw the feathering screw into the base, gradually increasing the distance between the two magnets. When the trap trips and the quarter falls into the bucket, your trap is correctly tuned to the weight of a mouse. Ensure that the trap resets back onto the base after the quarter falls off the plank.

Optional Disposal Setup:

You may include water in the bottom of the bucket to automatically terminate the pests, however the water will still freeze in the winter.

Why is this trap so effective?

Mice are generally unwilling to walk upon surfaces that they feel are not safe. Even a small amount of movement on other variations of this trap will cause a mouse to panic and escape the trap. The two magnets that hold the rocking plank and the base of this trap together provide a very convincing illusion of safety, but by the time they reach the bait, the trap will spring, dropping the mouse into the bucket and allowing the plank to reset itself perfectly.

The automatic resetting nature of this trap allows completely automated removal of mice from a given area, making it an ideal candidate for removing rodents without the use of poison.