Abstract: An enclosed mousetrap (10) has a trap mechanism (12) mounted on a back wall member (26) and having a bail wire (36) with a straight portion (42) that engages a downwardly projecting detent projection (66) of a catching member (58) in a line contact relationship to ensure effective operation of the enclosed mousetrap. The detent projection (66) is preferably stamped from sheet metal to include a lower surface (102) defined by a front ramp portion (104), a rear detent portion (106), and a lower curved portion (108) that extends between the ramp portion and the detent portion. The lower detent surface (102) preferably has a constantly increasing width in a rearward direction to provide the greatest length of line contact with the bail wire portion (42) in the cocked position to thereby provide frictional capability in holding the trap mechanism cocked.

Abstract: An enclosed passageway which provides a housing that is open at one end and has a back wall member on which is mounted a trap mechanism, is provided. The trap mechanism is capable of being both set and baited from outside the enclosed housing without handling the trap mechanism itself and which is disposable or capable of having the entrapped and killed animal displaced therefrom without personal contact. A tripping member of the trap mechanism is provided to trigger the trap without requiring the animal to contact the bait.