How to Build a One Way Trap Door for Pest Control
There are many ways to build and use traps to keep rodent and vermin infestations under control. However, the key to a good trap is having a good one way door. Let’s take a look at a project that can be useful for a number of reasons. The process is simple and easy to put together, and it can be worth its weight in gold down the line.
Basic Materials
Board of wood for cutting and installing the door
12 inch square of ½ inch steel mesh
4 to 6 wood screws and washers
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers
Tape measure
½ inch spade drill bit
Key hole saw
Screwdriver
The first step is to decide how big you want the hole in the screen to be. Consider the pest you are trying to trap, whether mice, squirrels or rats. Make the hole big enough for them to pass through without getting skittish. Trace out the hole on the wood and cut it with the key hole saw. Take a marker and outline the same size square on the steel mesh and cut it out using the wire cutters. Be careful not to destroy the cut piece because you will need it for making the trap door.
Attaching the Components
Next, you want to cut the board down to size to meet the dimensions of where it will be installed. It will be much more secure and involve less work if it is flush against a hole or window. Remember, this project is intended more for allowing animals out of a building, but it could also be modified to any trap you may set up as well.
Once the board has been cut, the next step is to attach the mesh to the wood. Fit it over the wood so the cut section rests over the hole you made earlier. Screw in the the mesh in four places about an inch or two from the holes. This will maximize the fitting and minimize the chances of having an animal wriggle through any gaps between the mesh and the wood. Use additional screws as necessary.
To attach the trap to the unit, you want to make the hinges on top so the door will flop down once closed. The best way to secure the door is to cut away a horizontal segment of the mesh on the left or right corner of either the door or piece that’s attached to the wood. Then, you can take the exposed vertical pieces and loop them around the horizontal segments on the uncut piece of mesh. Use the needle nose pliers to tighten and secure the hinge and test for freedom of motion. You can do this on both sides, as well as in the middle if you are building a larger trap and need more support to hold the door in place.
Finally, the only other real consideration is how to keep the door closed, and this can be tricky. There are no one-size-fits-all answers, and you may need to tinker around until you find a trick that works for you. One option is to cut and bend some of the mesh on the bottom so that it causes the door to stick. However, if you make the fitting too snug, then you run the risk of having the door either jam or fail to close properly. You can also consider adding some weight to the bottom of the door. However, if it’s too heavy, then the animal may not be able to lift it and get out.
Baiting
You may want to consider setting some bait in order to entice the animal to go through the trap door. However, you also run the risk of attracting other animals to the area before the one you are trying to get rid of makes its move. Monitor the situation and reapply bait or alter your approach if some animal on the outside is getting to it first. Remember, the goal is to cut off access in and out of the structure in question while providing a one-way exit for the animals inside. Finally, you want to keep an eye on the condition of the door to make sure that it hasn’t been deformed or eaten away by animals who are eager to get back inside.
While this trick is far from perfect, it may be just what you need to get rid of animals that have taken up residence in your home, shelter, garage or shed. Play around with the idea, and see how following this approach may help you to get a better handle on pest problems without having to set traps or poisoned baits.
