Matt writes -
This project captures a mouse by having a solenoid (electromagnet) drop a bucket over the mouse. The bucket is triggered by the mouse interrupting one of the infrared emitter/detector pairs around the bait. The enclosure that holds the electronics is mounted directly over the bait. Ok, so the "bucket" is actually a semi-clear storage container. The clear container allows a person to see if a mouse was trapped when the container dropped.Bucket mousetrap - Link & mirrored site.
Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Feb 7, 2007 01:44 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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Nice... the flashing red and blue "police" lights are a nice touch when apprehending the "perp".
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I would bet a mouse can get out from an upside down tupperware container.
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how do you dispose of the mouse without him getting away? there is nothing between the bucket and ground, so as soon as you lift it he will run away.
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wow, using a dual-layer pcb + microcontroller for that is really maker's spirit :-).
i would suggest to use a laser pointer + optical sensitive resistor.
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I can say from experience that house mice are very good escape artist. I caught one once (swimming in the dogs water bowl) and tried to keep it. After twice chewing it's way (almost) through those little plastic pet cages, I decided he needed to go. While I was driving him out to the country with the pet cage at the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket, I looked over to see him sitting on the edge of the bucket. I reached over to grab him by the tail. As I did, he leapt and ran up under my dash board. I propped the door open overnight with a board up to the door sill. I found him a few days later rigor-mortified in the back yard, probably the victim of some baits I put in the garage. The moral of this story is... our cats are lazy.
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I think they have the wrong video linked. The one on the Make page says "a trapped mouse" but when I play it, it shows an inanimate object being rolled under the bucket.
Where's the video of a mouse getting trapped?
And, as others have said, how are you going to get the mouse out?
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Getting the mouse out is easy. Take something hard, flat and rigid - posterboard works, or even a manila folder, as long as it's large enough to pass a few inches beyond the edges of the bucket. Slide the board under the bucket (the mouse will jump out of the way, so it doesn't pinch its feetz) and flip it over, keeping your hand over the board to maintain the seal.
Mice will easily chew through plastic, and are able to fit through very small openings. I once had a mouse chew through a thick, plastic cutting board overnight. I recommend metal receptacles, and a release into the wild as soon as possible.
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