A Better Mouse Trap

This article was found in the December 1930 issue of the "Six Twenty-Six", the Forest Service's monthly newsletter covering Region Six.

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"Last summer the Odell Butte Emergency Lookout, Jack Benson, was confronted with a very unpleasant situation. Pack rats were attempting to carry off bodily both him and his camp. After many nights of ferocious battling and loss of sleep, he decided something must be done to rid the mountain of these unwelcome visitors. He tried many hand-fashioned traps, but the rats ignored them completely.

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When about to give up in despair, a tin can gave him an idea. He took a can and cut the bottom crosswise, dividing it into quarters. These sharp-pointed quarters he pushed in, leaving an opening just large enough for the head of a rat. The principal of the trap was that a rat, upon sticking its head through the opening, would be securely held by the sharp points.

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Jack fixed one can, baited it, and then went to bed, hoping the trap would work. During the night he was awakened by the sound by the sound of a tin can being thumped on rocks. Investigation proved a rat was in his trap. Right then and there, Jack added six more traps to his list, baited them, and returned to bed in much better spirits. The next morning seven rats were found running around with tin can bells. It was not long until Jack could sleep peacefully all night." Contributor: C.H. Overbay