The first step to making a homemade sparrow trap is to assemble the necessary materials.

A working knowledge of carpentry is needed for this task.

Required Tools and Materials

  • 1 sheet of plywood (1/2 inch thick)
  • Jug
  • Hinges (2 pieces, 1 ½”)
  • Long-treated bugle decking screws
  • Finished nails
  • Small washers
  • Wing nut
  • Sheet metal screws (6” x ½”)
  • Wire screen (2 sq ft)
  • Aluminum (10 in sq)
  • Flexible wire
  • PVC (4” diameter)
  • Film canister (35 mm)
  • Roofing nails
  • Hammer
  • Drill
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Screwdrivers
  • Hole saw
  • Metal file
  • Wire cutting pliers
  • Jigsaw
  • Tin snips

Instructions

Get the plywood and cut it with a saw. The dimensions for this homemade sparrow trap frame should be 18” x 10” x 5”. You can also put it in a footboard if you want to place it on a table.

The jug needs to fit in the 5” width frame. If necessary cut it. You can use a plastic jug so it’s easier to cut to the right size.

Get some light wood. Make it 12” long by 1 and ¼ in wide and 3/8” thick. Use white pine; do not use other wood types because they are too heavy. Use a tape measure if needed to get the right size.

Drill a couple of holes at one end. (1/16” in diameter). They need to be an inch apart.

Make a single hole in the other end of this homemade sparrow trap, of the same size. The one with the two holes is for the jug. The latter is for the film canister.

Putting the Jug and Aluminum in Place

Make two holes in the jug near the center (1/8” in diameter and an inch apart). Set the jug in place and screw it on. Make a similarly sized hole in the canister.

Remove the lid and screw it in place. Put two nails on the side of the board. Set them opposite each other.

Get the aluminum and bend it. Make two holes big enough for the nails. Drill a hole near the bottom. Set a couple of washers on each arm. Insert this in the homemade sparrow trap.

Find a place to make a hole in the bracket (that’s in the frame). Drill it and put the washer there. Set the balance beam in place.

Make the door by cutting a piece of wood (18” x 10”). Make sure you measure it correctly so it fits the trap.

Use the hinges to put it in place. Drill a hole and put the washer and wing nut in there. Cut a similarly sized board to make the back section.

The down chute can be made from the PVC tubing. Make a ½ hole in the structure and put the tubing there.

Tips and Warnings

You need to be accurate when drilling the holes. They need to be of the right size so the nails and screws fit in.

Wear eye goggles when using the saw so splinters don’t get in your eyes.

This homemade sparrow trap can work just as well as the branded types being sold.

The only difference is that this one doesn’t cost as much.