I'm planning to set up a bucket mouse trap using a 5-gallon bucket filled with about 4 inches of water, and I'm adding a ramp for the mice to climb. I'm a bit worried, though—will 4 inches of water be enough to stop the mice from jumping out? Thanks for your help!
3 Answers
Yeah, just so you know, if you're trying to trap mice, you might want to add some dish soap to the water. It makes it slippery, and I usually fill mine with about 5 inches of water. Also, remember that if the mice get in there, you’ll need to take care of them afterward—you can’t just set them free.
If you're worried about them escaping, consider adding a bit more water—maybe fill it to about 6 inches. I've found that once they hit the water, they can't get out. Trust me, I've never had one escape after they fall in.
I've used my bucket trap with more than half water and haven't had any mice escape. They usually can't brace themselves off the bottom to jump out. Just make sure it’s deep enough!

Thanks for the tip about the soap! I didn't think about how I’d handle them afterwards, but I’ll keep that in mind.