Bucket Mousetrap: less mouse destruction, more awesome

Is it a better mousetrap? Probably not. But it's pretty dang cool, and any hack that calls for a solenoid and a bucket as its main ingredients is alright in our book. The mousetrap is triggered by infrared emitter / detector pairs, with the enclosure holding the electronics standing right over the bait. When the mouse (or other hapless victim) interrupts one of the IR pairs, the electromagnet releases the bucket and the mouse is trapped. We're pretty convinced this is an optimal situation for the mouse, since he gets fed, doesn't get his neck snapped, and ends up at a rave when it's all over -- peep the video after the break to see what we mean.

[Via Make]

[SporkRocker @ Feb 9th 2007 8:51PM]

Peanut Butter + Mousetrap = more efficient and cheaper. Or own cats.

[Andir3.0 @ Feb 9th 2007 9:02PM]

Half the fun of a mouse trap is wiping the guts off the floor after they are squeezed out of the mouse's rectum...

[Andir3.0 @ Feb 9th 2007 9:04PM]

Actually, my real question is: Who is going to lift up the pail to take the mouse out? Obviously whomever made the device is scared to touch a mouse. Are they just going to let it starve to death then dispose of it? How is that any more humane?

[Matt @ Feb 9th 2007 9:27PM]

Who ever made this is very white and nerdy.

[Karl @ Feb 9th 2007 9:37PM]

That is an awesome piece of kit. Might have to build myself a larger version, for the kids.

How strong a solenoid would I need for a steel cage?

[Dave @ Feb 10th 2007 12:19AM]

A bucket? Man... what would have been really cool is if they did the same thing, but with a cinder block... or or or.... yeah like an anvil from Tom & Jerry!!!! Now that Shizzle would be off da hook yo!

(Im kidding of course.. and no I do NOT really talk like that)

[Alex Paris @ Feb 10th 2007 11:40AM]

who wants to own cats?... cause im alergic.. for one.

[Terry @ Feb 11th 2007 12:33AM]

I use a Victor Electronic trap to ZAP the mice the wonder in to the trap.
No guts to muss no fuss.

[Terry @ Feb 11th 2007 12:34AM]

Here is a link to the above

post.http://www.victorpest.com/store/product.asp?dept_id=54&pf_id=M252B

[louis @ Feb 11th 2007 9:33AM]

Very Clever Stuff that is. I like it

Louis
Which Product?