Make Your Own Humane Mouse Trap from Simple Materials

Materials and gear needed

• Perspex or acrylic sheets (matt and clear)
• Neodymium magnets
• DC motor
• 9V battery
• Soldering kit
• Electrical wires, resistors, and soldering gear
• Sun boards sheets
• Thread
• Straw

Once you have all the materials and tools needed, we can now get on with the build. 

Step 1: Make the trap mechanism

The first step is to make the trigger mechanism for the trap. To do this we first need to take two short lengths of metal (you could using some old iron-rich nails) and solder wires to each of them. 

With that complete, take your sun board and cut out two equally sized squares of 3 and 5/16ths (10cm) by 3 and 5/16ths (10cm) for the pressure pad of the mousetrap. Also cut three strips of sun board to the same height by 19/32ths of an inch (1.5cm) wide. 

With the board pieces ready, add a thin line of hot glue to the centerline of one of the boards and glue one of the metal rods to the board. Next, add a thin line of hot glue off-center and perpendicular to the first sun board square on the other square of sun board. 

With that done, add another line of hot glue opposite and parallel to the last electrode and adhere one of the strips of sun board to it. Next, add another line of hot glue and add a second strip of sun board on top of the first. Rinse and repeat for the last strip. 

Next, add a final line of hot glue and then turn the other square of sun board over so that the metal rods are opposite each other. Then glue the board to the stack of sun board pieces on the other square of sun board.

This assembly will form the basic trigger mechanism for the trap. When a weight is placed on the top of the pad, the electrodes will touch, which in turn will complete the circuit -- ultimately sealing the victim's fate. 

Step 2: Make the main trap boxing

Next, take your acrylic or perspex sheets. Cut out six pieces to make an elongated cuboidal box. For this particular design, you'll need four sheets of 9 and 27/32ths of an inch (25cm) by 3 and 5/16ths (10 cm), and two "doors" of 3 and 5/16ths (10cm) by 3 and 5/16ths (10cm). 

Once cut, peel off any adhesive coverings to expose the clear acrylic underneath. Take one of the longer pieces, and glue the trigger mechanism into the center of the sheet using some hot glue. 

With that complete, glue one of the other longer sheets of acrylic to the base to make one of the walls of the trap. Make sure the piece is more or less perfectly vertical. 

Next. take your soldering iron, and melt a hole through the acrylic sheet just above the trigger mechanism on the base.  

With that complete, fee the wires from the trigger through the hole. Next, glue and stick into place the other long wall of the trap. 

With the trap now well underway, it is time to turn our attention to the trap door of the trap. Cut two lengths of acrylic 3 and 5/16ths (10cm) by 25/32ths of an inch (2cm). 

Glue a single magnet into the center of each strip of acrylic. 

Take one of the magnet and acrylic strips, and glue it between two of the walls of the trap to make a lintel. Rinse and repeat for the other end of the trap. 

Step 3: Make the lid and main electrical circuit

Next, take the last long strip of acrylic and glue the motor to it. Do the same for the switch, but place it relatively near to the motor. 

 Also, glue the battery to the lid. With that done, solder the positive wire of the battery holder to one of the terminals of the switch.

Next, run and solder a wire between the other free terminal of the switch to one of the terminals of the motor. Then run another wire from the other terminal of the motor. 

With that complete, glue the lid (and electronics) to the top of the trap. Ensure that the electrical components are on the outside of the trap. Also, ensure that the loose wire from the battery and motor pointing towards the "back" of the trap where the wires from the trigger are exposed through the wall. 

With that done, complete the circuit for the electronics by connecting one of the trigger wires to the negative wire of the battery holder, and the other to loose wire rinning from the motor. 

Solder the connections as needed. 

Step 4: Add the doors and complete the trap

Next, take the remaining squares of acrylic you made earlier. Line one of them up into place at one of either end of the trap. Make a hinge using a strip of sellotape to hold the door into place against the main trap. 

With that complete, close the door, and add a blob of hot glue on the outside of the door where the magnet meets it. Then glue another magnet in place. 

Rinse and repeat for the other door of the trap. 

With that done, take some thread, and cut a length of it. Glue one end of the thread to the top side of the door nearest the motor. 

Next, take a regular plastic drinking straw and cut a small length of it. Glue the piece of straw into the corner of the lid directly above the thread.

Next, add a small pulley to the axle of the motor. 

Now feed the thread through the length of the straw, and glue it to the pulley of the motor. 

With that done, your DIY mouse trap is now finally complete. Before you deploy it in anger, it might be a good idea to actually test the device. 

Open the door with the thread attached, and flick the switch into its on position. Then find a suitable weight -- a couple of 9V batteries tied together will do. 

Chuck them onto the trigger mechanism. 

The weight of the batteries should depress the trigger, and cause the motor to initiate. This in turn should close the open door in quick succession.

If everything has gone to plan, the trap should work flawlessly. Now, if you want to actually deploy it in the wild, add some bait to the trap -- like some cheese or a piece of bread, and set the trap by opening the threaded door. 

Ensure the other door is fully closed, of course. When you return to the trap you should find a very full, if not confused, rodent. 

If you enjoyed this simple project, you may want to test your skills to the limit with something a little more complex. How about, for example, your own tabletop "Among Us" game.