How I caught a mouse without a live mousetrap

My wife and I have had a mouse sharing our living space with ever increasing boldness.

At first we noticed mouse droppings in a cupboard. Then they were gone. Then we heard rustling at night. Then it went away.

Lately, our furry friend has been seen sneaking around the outer walls, ducking behind furniture, and zipping out of site far too often. The final straw was when I saw him exploring my shoes- the thought that a mouse might be in my shoe as I slipped in my foot…

Now I dislike killing mice. They’re pretty cute, for vermin. I also am on a spending freeze with my spouse, so the $15 for a live trap didn’t sound appealing either. So I did some searching on the internet.  The result?

Here’s how I caught the critter:

1. Get a toilet paper tube and crease two lines to form a flat sided tunnel.
2. Put a treat on one end of the tube: A cracker and dab of peanut butter works great.
3. Get a tall (at least 20 inches) bucket. A trash can works well.
4. Balance the tube precariously on the edge of a table or counter with the treat hanging directly over the tall sided receptacle.
5. The mouse will scurry to the treat (they like tunnels) and fall into the trap.

Set the fella loose at least a mile away from your abode.

Postnote: It worked two hours later while we were asleep in bed.

This morning, my wife and I walked quite a ways away and let him loose in a large tuft of grass.