This is project 8, from dgarnier, Weasel/Chipmonk Box

been looking to build some weasel boxes - but we have had and outbreak of chipmonks this year so I ordered 2 dozen rat traps and built some boxes today

3 1x6" 12' will work out to 4 boxes with just a little left over. The opening is a 2" hole, and the top and bottoms are 19.5" long and the sides are 17.75 and the 2 ends are 5.5" Pretty simple project but was a good way to get my little helper involved.


board all marked up ready to be cut
Attachment 2507

the 2" hole
Attachment 2510

all cut up
Attachment 2509


the finished product
Attachment 2508

all 4 ready to go
Attachment 2506

When the rat traps come in you set 1 and each end with the trip plate towards the the opening. 2 traps in each box with some bait in the middle

Never seen a chipmunk trap like that, but I'll give it a try. I'm seeing more of them around our place, and I don't like the idea of them burrowing into the foundation, etc. I wouldn't mind reducing our squirrel population either, maybe this will work for them too. I've seen some wide pedal traps that look like they'd be ideal for this little job.

It seems like a lot of altitude between top and bottom: is that just because you used a single piece of 12' wood, a convenience thing? Have you found any particular bait works best?

the 2" hole might be a little tight for squirrels, but if you just using it around the house go ahead and make a bigger opening. As for the height its only 7.5" tall, you dont want to go too small other wise the trap bar wont be able to swing closed. I have been using peanut butter and its seems to work well.

For my next batch I am going to use a 1"x6" 6' dog ear cedar fence. This should cut down on some weight, so getting them out into the woods wont take as many trips. Also going to add a hinge and a hook and loop to help keep other anaimals out of the box.

Wish you were a little closer... we'd be happy to be a dumping ground for all the live weasels you could trap. We're trying to reduce the number of live fighting chickens that are tied off to those barrels across the road. :)

This is not a live trap...

rat traps came in today and during dinner I hard the snap. 1 less chipmonk runinng around the yard

Well seems I am not the only one tring to thin out the chipmonks - few people have asked for some traps that I have made. They had been using live traps but then have the issue of what to do with the little buggers once then have trapped them. So off to the the lumber yard for wood, and saw they had 6' dog eared 6"x5/8" cedar for 1.57. So I shortened up the box a bit, added a hinge and a hook and eye to keep the box closed. So what I saved in wood was made up in extra hardware but now the boxes are a bit more kid friendly and quite a bit lighter. Now I will have to see which holds up better in the woods, the green wood or the cedar.

Also I am 1 shy of a dozen trapped so far.