Introduction: Making a Really Simple Rabbit Trap
Even in the urban garden Rabbits are a real problem. Many people dislike the thought of shooting or it may not be practical if close to houses so a live trap is a good alternative.
In this instructable I will show how to make a simple and cheap live trap.
Just remember if you release the fluffy bunny then take it at least 5 miles from your house or it will come back!
Step 1:
Materials:
A length of wood - Sizes are not critical but should be at least these sizes or the rabbit wont fit in the trap
36 inches - 900 mm x 10 inches - 250 mm x 1/2 inch - 12 mm
Some stiff wire - I used some square mesh left over from a rabbit hutch (irony there)
A few staples
Some left over scraps of wood laying round the work shop.
Tools:
Saw
Wire cutters
Pliers to bend the wire mesh.
Step 2:
How to:
Cut the wooden base to length with the saw, try to make the cuts at right angles so things look neat.
Cut the wire so that you have enough to form a cage round the base about 10 inches square (250mm square) +1 inch to wrap under to fix with the staples In my case that was a length the same as the length of the base + 1 inch at each end (3' 2" or 950 mm) this was cut to 10" +10" +10" + 2"=32 " WIDE.
I turned an inch over at the edge at 90 deg to fix under the base with the staples.
Measure 10" along and fold again at 90 Deg to make the side and top.
Measure 10" or the width of your base for the top and fold down at 90 Deg for the other side
Leaving 1" to fold under to fix to the base on the other side of the base.
When you fix the mesh to the base with the staples leave 1 inch over hang at each end.
Step 3:
Cut a section of mesh to fit the back of the cage in my case 10" x 10" This is fixed to the cage with some short lengths of wire, string would also do the job as long as it is secure.
A 9.5" x 9" door was cut from some scrap plywood. this needs to be fairly heavy so it will close effectively
The hinge at the top is made by drilling a couple of holes and tying some wire through loosely so the door will swing easily.
A small hole at the bottom allows a short loop of wire to be hooked through to make the latch.
Fold the edges of the cage over by 1 inch to prevent the door swinging out - Note the door opens into the cage.
.
Step 4:
The trigger mechanism was made from some scrap plywood. There are no critical dimensions but you can judge the size I used from the ruler in the pictures.
At the door end the lever catches the wire loop holding the door open
At the other end of the lever a vertical trigger holds the lever down until the rabbit pushed it back whilst trying to get at the food..
This releases the trigger allowing the leaver to flip up. and so releasing the door.
The door drops down sealing the exit and trapping the rabbit in the cage for later disposal.
That's all there is - Bate the trap with something tempting. Lift the door and snag the wire loop. Set the trigger, I like to ensure it is only just holding the lever so little contact sets it off.
Site the trap some where near the rabbit problem and make sure you check at least daily.
A trapped rabbit may jump around a bit so to prevent it overturning the trap you may like to put a stake each side to keep the trap stable.
Step 5: How the Trap Works
In the attached diagram. When the rabbit tries to reach the bait which is at the back of the cage it has to pass by the trigger.
Pushing past will release the trigger which is only just trapped under the wire and is holding the door open with a lever.
This releases the lever and the door can fall shut. Because the door will not push out and the rabbit can not pull it inwards the rabbit is now trapped.
The door swings closed and is hinged at the top with a simple wire loop hinge through a couple of holes.
Step 6:
As an addition to this general idea of a trigger and bait you can build a trap from any box or washing basket etc.
The trigger mechanism is slightly different but just a modification of this design as in the attached drawing.
Getting a wild animal out of here can be difficult though unlike the cage trap so be warned. Also trapping native birds may well be illegal where you live so check up on it.
1 Person Made This Project!
- rickharris made it!
111 Comments
1 year ago
why you want to trap bunnys? hope not to eat them... .let bunnys be free please, I have 2 bunnys and I came here just because I was looking Ideas for them.. not to make a trap :(
Reply 6 months ago
How do you not know that it was going to be about a rabbit trap? The title is literally Making a Really Simple Rabbit Trap
Reply 6 months ago
Bunnies don't taste bad.
Reply 1 year ago
The nice bunnies eat all my vegatables despite a fence around them.
BUT this is a live trap. No need to kill them just take them a long way away.
Reply 1 year ago
Yes my bunnies eat my carrots i try to grow for food. So i put an electric fencing up and they now stopped.
Reply 1 year ago
I have three bunnies in my backyard and one even comes up to the window and we throw him a bunny treat. I would never betray the bunnies that live in my backyard with something like this.
Tip 11 months ago on Introduction
WARNING ⚠️
Rabbits are vector for Tularemia. Although rare in rabbits, it can infect humans exposed to rabbit 🐇 blood 🩸.
4 years ago
I prefer to use this trap
https://stoppestinfo.com/155-how-to-get-rid-of-rab...
which called Havahart 1083 Easy Set One-Door Cage Trap for Squirrels and Small Rabbit!
Reply 4 years ago
But it costs money! and is very similiar to mine.
Reply 1 year ago
I have the money to buy one, but i did rickharris's idea and built my own
Reply 1 year ago
Appreciate the feedback
4 years ago
I'm going to make this but am confused.
When the Rabbit hits the trigger does that not move the lever forward into the wire loop more?
Thanks in advance!!!
Reply 4 years ago
When the trigger is pushed towards the back of the trap it is freed from the wire and releases the longer stick that holds up the door. Make it just as shown and it will work. Ask again when built if you have problems.
5 years ago
can I trap gophers with this?
Reply 5 years ago
To be honest I don't know, we don't get gophers in the UK. However as long as you use a suitable bait that they will go for it should work.
A rabbits is not nimble enough, (or bright enough), to try to lift the door by pulling at the bottom. A gopher may be a bit brighter.
It doesn't cost much so why not give it a go and let us know.
Reply 5 years ago
ok thanks, i'll try it
Reply 5 years ago
ok thanks, i'll try it
6 years ago
If you dont like rabbit to eat,take to local zoo...snakes love em!!! And zoo appreciates it
6 years ago
Good design! I recommend hossenfeffer instead of release!
Reply 6 years ago
+1 :-)