Rat Trap

The Rat Trap is a humane, spring-action trap built from a PET bottle and basic household stationery, designed to catch rats and other rodents or pests without harming them. It uses a snap-closing mechanism triggered when the rat takes bait, trapping the animal inside the bottle so it can be released elsewhere unharmed.

The trap is made from a plastic bottle (rectangular bottles are preferred, since their flat sides help the trap sit stably), with the label removed. Using a hobby knife or box cutter, the bottle is cut roughly one-third of the way down from the top, leaving at least 25% of the circumference uncut to form a flexible hinge. Two pairs of aligned holes are made near the top edge of the short and long sections of the cut bottle, and a stick (such as a pencil) is inserted through each pair to act as a pivot and anchor for rubber bands, which provide the snapping tension. A length of thread (20 to 25 cm) is looped at one end, threaded through a small hole in the base of the bottle, and secured through the bottle's mouth with the cap tightened. A paper clip, baited with food, is inserted into the base hole, with the thread's loop hooked onto the tip of the clip under tension from the rubber bands.

To use, the trap is placed in a location where rats are known to travel, such as along a wall, with a double-sided adhesive pad used to keep the bottle stable on the floor. Additional food can be placed near the bottle opening to attract the rat inside. When the rat pulls on the baited paper clip, the thread releases, and the rubber band tension snaps the bottle's hinged section closed, trapping the rat inside. The bottle can then be carried away from the home and opened to release the rat.

Safety Note: Wear sanitary gloves when handling and carrying the trap, as recommended in the source instructions, due to rodent-borne disease risk.

Levels are identified based on this reference: Field Ready Readiness Levels

About the manuals

Field Ready develops manuals to support both the fabrication and safe use of its products. A maker manual provides step-by-step instructions for replicating the design, including materials, tools, and assembly guidance, so that makers in different locations can build the product accurately and consistently. A user manual, where applicable, explains how to properly set up, use, and maintain the product once it is built, helping ensure it performs safely and as intended for the end user. Together, these manuals make the design accessible to both fabricators and the people who ultimately rely on the product.