The mousetrap that resets itself.

Any standard 5-gallon bucket, the kind hardware stores sell for about $5 (about 10½ in across the rim and 14½ in tall). The rim seats in a slot inside the clamp, and the swiveling plate settles flat on whatever rings or ribs are on the outside. The bucket isn’t included. We don’t recommend other sizes: on a narrower bucket the rim ends up close enough to the bait for a mouse to reach it without stepping on the mill.

Anything ⅛ to ¾ in thick (3–21 mm) and 18 to 27 in long: a 1×2 furring strip, lath, a yardstick or a paint stir stick. An 8 ft furring strip makes four 22 in ramps. The ramp clamp swings, so the stick finds its own angle to the floor. Rather not find a stick? Choose the Kit + Tower.

An add-on, sold with the kit as the Kit + Tower, that replaces the stick and its ramp clamp: a tower that stands beside the bucket, with a short pinned link across to the walkway. The link holds the top, so the base just sits on the floor: concrete, wood or ground. Three stakes come with it if you’d like to pin it down in soil or turf. Neater, and no lumber needed.

Water: 3–4 inches in the bucket, and mice that fall in drown. A live-catch add-on is in the works. Until it’s ready, don’t count on a dry bucket to hold mice, because they can jump out of an open one.

Yes, with two things to watch. Ice: in an unheated garage, shed or barn the water can freeze, and a mouse that lands on ice can walk away. In freezing weather, check it daily and break any ice, or move it somewhere that stays above freezing, like a basement. Rain: outdoors, set it somewhere out of the rain, like a porch or under the eaves. The ball bearings are steel, and rain left on them can rust them and stiffen the mill.

Peanut butter, pressed into the bait holes near the back disc. There’s nothing else to keep buying: no batteries, CO2 or lures. Mascall used butter, oatmeal and sugar in 1590, and that still works too.

There’s nothing to snap. The trap itself is safe to touch. But a bucket with water in it is a drowning hazard for small children and small pets, so set it up where they can’t reach it, like a garage, shed, barn or basement.

It’s sized for mice. Rats are too big and heavy for it to work reliably.

It keeps working until you empty the bucket. There’s nothing to reset. To empty it, wear gloves, loosen the thumbscrew, lift the trap off and empty the bucket, then clamp it back on and top up the water and bait.

Tough PETG plastic and steel ball bearings, made in Bellingham, WA, USA. No tools needed.

Yes, up to 10 in one order, in any mix of colors, with or without the tower. Every trap after the first is $9 off. They all ship the same day, sometimes in more than one box, each with its own tracking number. An order goes to one address, so check out separately for a gift going somewhere else. Forgot one? Place a second order: shipping is free. Need more than 10? Email us.

Shipping is free by USPS, with tracking. Colors on the shelf ship the next business day. Colors made to order, and custom colors, ship within 7 business days. We tell you before you pay. We ship anywhere in the US, including PO boxes and APO/FPO addresses, but not outside the US yet. Details on our shipping page.

Give it a few nights in the same spot first, because mice are wary of anything new. If it hasn’t caught a mouse within 60 days, send it back for a full refund.

Yes. Unused kits can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, and anything defective is replaced or refunded free. You can also cancel for a full refund any time before your order ships. Bought more than one? Each trap is covered on its own. Details on our returns page.