What is the best mouse trap? There are four types of these devices: snap traps, live traps, glue traps, and electronic traps. The later is the most effective, humane, and safe method to catch mice. The electronic trap works by sending out a strong electric current that kills mice quickly and painlessly, in just seconds. Once a mouse enters the trap’s tunnel, the circuit technology senses it and triggers an electric shock lethal to mice. You will not see dead mice because these devices have an enclosed design. Nor will you have to handle killed rodents. As a rule, electric traps are made with a mechanism that easily and sanitarily disposes of dead mice. And finally, these traps generally last long, with one set of batteries being sufficient for killing dozens of mice.

What could seem simpler than catching a mouse? It seems to be a piece of cake: install the traps and wait for the haul. In reality, things are much more complicated. Mice could ignore your traps or steal the bait from them. If you know nothing about these rodents’ typical behavior, you can make lots of errors and end up not catching any unwanted guests at all. For instance, did you know that rodents tend to send younger individuals-scouts to explore potential traps and make sure they are not dangerous? In this review, you will find out what kinds of mouse traps and baits exist, what their peculiarities are and which devices are the best.

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How to Use Mouse Traps & Make Them More Effective?

Now let’s learn a couple of lifehacks that would make your mouse hunting with traps even more successful and effective.

Where to place traps

As recommended by the scientists from the University of Missouri and as mentioned earlier, traps should be strategically placed:

Along the walls

Behind objects

In dark places and corners

On top of stored supplies and other stuff if you see that mice are active there

Whenever else you see mice activity (pointed small droppings, gnawed holes, nests with shredded pepper or other similar materials).

The researchers from the University of California implicate the following placement strategy of snap traps:

Courtesy of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: Placement of snap traps: (a) single trap with trigger next to the wall; (b) double set, which increases your success; (c) double set placed parallel to the wall with triggers to the outside.

How many mouse traps do I need?

As many as you can possibly afford. It doesn’t mean, however, that you have to “flood” your house with traps, but the number should be sufficient to make trapping short and effective. That number would depend on the size of mice infestation and the size of your dwelling. Also, the traps should not be placed more than about 10 feet apart from each other in areas where mice are most active.

How to set mouse traps?

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions since they know better how to use the traps they’ve produced. However, it should be relatively simple and straightforward and would largely depend on the type of trap you’re about to use. For example, if you intend to use snap traps, then set triggers lightly so they can easily spring.

How to lure mice into your traps so that they do not avoid them?

As mentioned earlier, you should do a pre-baiting first: bait the traps but do not set them for several nights in a row so mice would think that your traps are safe to be around and won’t become trap-shy.

There’s been an interesting study, although concerning glue traps, which was published by the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, that made a few interesting discoveries in mice behavior and movement. For example, it was suggested to place a few physical obstructions on the way to the trap so that mice would unavoidingly jump or stumble on the trap while traveling. The mice, it turns out, would get used to moving around an obstacle, and even if it’s then later removed, they would still move the same way as though it’s present.

What is The Best Mouse Trap? How Do They Work? Comparative Review of Different Mouse Traps Types

Despite the large number of designs and manufacturers, there are only four types of traps which we will focus on.

Snap Trap is the simplest trap type and we are all familiar with it from childhood and cartoons. A classic wooden trap with an iron clamp is the most cut-rate one. The bait is pricked on this rod and that’s where a mouse finds it. As soon as it tries to take some food, the clamp shuts and squeezes the victim. The rod is robust enough to kill an animal or harm a person who was not careful enough when handling it. Apart from wooden traps, there are plastic and metal analogues available on the market. Their exterior may differ from a classic option to a great extent, but its action is the same.

Live Catch Traps don’t kill mice but keep them in a small aviary instead. It is suitable for those who find killing an animal, even if it is a pest, unacceptable. A trapped mouse is released somewhere far away from home. Moreover, you can show it to your kids and teach them a humanity lesson by example.

Glue Traps are glued boards, trays or slats. They trap mice effectively but will hardly be able to retain a rat for a long time. Their main drawback is that a glued rodent will twitch and squeak nervously and noisily while trying to escape. The glue isn’t poisonous and won’t kill the rodent, but if it gets trapped at night, you will have to get up and do something about it, because you will barely be able to sleep hearing this squeaking. The experts from the University of California warn of yet another issue: Mice that become stuck on glue boards often urinate and defecate as they struggle to free themselves from the glue. When deer mice are captured in this way, the potential for contacting hantavirus is greatly increased. Therefore, avoid glue boards for controlling deer mice.

Electronic Traps are the most effective and cleanest ones. The advantages of this electronic device are obvious: a mouse or a rat runs inside such a trap in search of food and dies of electrocution quickly and painlessly. This method helps you stay away from mess and blood. Electric mouse trap are convenient and practical for spacious rooms and produce storages as they don’t need to be charged very often.

Trap Type Advantages Disadvantages Snap Trap Very cheap Doesn’t kill Live Catch Trap Humane and cheap You must take the trap away and release the mouse Glue trap Cheap A trapped mouse will squeak and die painfully for several days Electronic Trap Fast death from high voltage, no blood and mess, catches dozens of rodents per battery charge Expensive, do not use outdoors without any waterproof accessories

Top-10 Best Mouse Traps

We’ve picked the ten most popular trapping devices for you including classic cartoon snaps, glue, closed plastic houses for particularly sensitive homeowners, humane live-catch traps and the fastest electronic trap that kills by electrocution.

Victor Smart-Kill Wi-Fi Electronic Mouse Trap

Have you ever thought this could be possible, that you’d track the trap’s activity with a mobile app? In fact, you’ll receive a wi-fi enabled text alerts in case the mouse is trapped. Other things you’ll be able to do with an app is to monitor the battery, maintain your lifetime kill records, get friendly empty trap reminders, and share your scores on social media. Honestly, I am not sure who would want to share the number of mice they kill with others on Facebook, but if it’s you, then why the heck not?

So, this is, in its essence, just an electric trap but with few additional monitoring perks discussed above. Customers who spared no expense were not very much impressed with the trap and its app, saying they sometimes received the notifications for the mice that were not there, or that the trap was not very effective overall. However, there were others who were pleased with it and the technology, saying that it did kill a mouse here and there. In conclusion, if you have a large infestation, maybe it’s a good idea to look for something else.

Price: Check the current price

Victor Electronic Mouse Trap M2524

This unit by Victor is the best known electronic mouse trap. This black box of death has been tested over time and has collected over 2200 customer reviews. The device electrocutes pests in five seconds. Four AA batteries are required to run it. This set will be enough to kill up to a hundred animals. The trap’s enclosed design provides for safety of use near kids and pests. The device is also equipped with a catch indicator: a green light means someone has been trapped, a red light means low battery.

Despite the many users’ complaints of this device not always catching rodents. Keep in mind that it has been designed especially to fit a mouse; it is not suitable for catching rats. You will also have to check the catch indicator often as no mouse will enter the trap if it smells like another dead rodent.

Price: Check the current price

A Humane Mouse Trap – Vensmile Humane Smart Mouse Trap, 2-Pack

This is a fundamentally distinguished product of our review. This (2-pack) transparent flask is safe for kids and pets and is suitable for those who don’t want to kill any animals, including pests. Once a mouse is trapped, it stays there unharmed and receives oxygen through wall holes. Release a rodent by opening the door somewhere far enough from your house. Vensmile can be used both indoors and outdoors.

This humane device is not as popular yet as rival products, but it is rated higher with 4.4 out of 5 stars. Do you want to teach your child how to treat animals in a humane manner? You won’t find a better trap for this purpose.

Price: Check the current price

Snap-E Mouse Trap, 6-pack

This is a best seller among similar devices as it has already nearly 2 900 customer reviews. It is a classic reusable trap with improved bait placement. The trap foundation is stainless plastic which doesn’t absorb any odors unlike wood. A pack of six units costs will serve you for ages. With this trap, you will also be able to catch chipmunks and other rodents.

Experienced customers claim that even the first night will yield first prey. You won’t have to touch a rodent’s corpse as the design allows for easy hands-free dead mice release. Snap-E traps have already helped catch thousands of the most invincible mice. Read all customer reviews to check for yourself.

Price: Check the current price

Intruder 30442 The Better Mousetrap, 6-Pack

Do you need to catch multiple rodents? This set by Intruder provides six traps. They are made of stainless steel and their exterior resembles improved classic wooden traps. These ones are more sensitive making any bait theft impossible. A mouse is hit and the trap’s plastic design ensures that asphyxiation is made without mess and blood. The product is popular with the customers, rated highly and awarded 4.3 out of 5 stars. Consumers observe super fast results as mice get trapped within a few hours of setting up.

Price: Check the current price

Tomcat Mouse Size Glue Traps, 4-Pack

This is a simple and inexpensive option for those who have to deal with individual rodents. Its sticky base traps mice and can be used against other unwanted pests, such as scorpions, cockroaches and small reptiles. The sticky traps will hardly catch large rats, so make sure it is mice that infested your house. The non-toxic formula of the product allows for its safe use near kids and pets.

Judging by the reviews, traps remain sticky for up to a fortnight after being set up. The most experienced users spread some peanut butter on their surface to make these traps additionally attractive for rodents. This must be quite a helpful tip given the mice’s fondness for this treat. Read over 500 customer reviews to learn more.

Price: Check the current price

D-Con Ultra Set Mouse Trap, 5-Pack

These traps are suitable for the most sensible users: they will have to neither touch nor see any dead rodents and as result, no dead rodent smell. A pack contains five classic enclosed traps. They work just like regular ones but are additionally equipped with a house, i.e. a box that restricts any tactile or visual contact of a person with a trapped mouse. The most you will be able to see is a piece of tail sticking out. Once you pull the lever, you will release a mouse’s corpse. Follow this procedure with rinsing D-Con in warm water before placing new bait and setting the trap again.

Although the traps are reusable, some users complain of device breakages after one or several uses. That is why they will hardly do against a massive rodent infestation; they seem to be more appropriate for catching individual pests. Yet another advantage of an enclosed design is that a mouse won’t be able to feast on the bait and run as there is nowhere to run from D-Con.

Price: Check the current price

Tomcat Kill and Contain Mouse Trap, 2-Pack

This is the most aesthetically pleasing mouse trap covered. A compact trap acts like an enclosed trap: a mouse enters it in search of food, gets into the white box and dies there. The product is equipped with a bar that drops once a mouse has been caught. You don’t have to open the trap to check which makes it convenient and sparing for sensitive users. It can be safely used around children and pets.

The reviews of the product are contradictory. The main claim is that the trap does not entirely kill the mice making homeowners listen to victims’ squeaking all night long. The manufacturer recommends improving the trap’s performance by setting it perpendicularly to the wall in rodents’ activity places only.

Price: Check the current price

RinneTraps 2 Pack-Walk The Plank Mouse Trap

This beast looks like a surgical tool from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, but, in fact, it’s just a ready-made reincarnation of a popular homemade plank mouse trap. For the price of roughly less than 15 dollars, you’ll get two of those ramps, which, according to the seller, would maximize your chances of getting more mice.

To use the trap, you’ll need a 5-gallon bucket and a little bit of water. Assemble the ramp, pre-bait it and install it on the bucket (as shown in the manufacturer’s instruction manual). Surprisingly enough, this trap performs extremely well provided you assembled and baited it correctly. But many people found it really hard to assemble and use properly, thus if you’re not a techie type, maybe it’s best to look for something simpler. It’s been suggested by someone in the comments to choose this rolling log mouse trap instead, it’s pretty similar to the one we’ve featured here, but it requires much less installation effort.

Price: Check the current price

Victor Kill & Seal Mouse Trap 2 Pack – No Touch No See Trap

As the manufacturer claims, this is the world’s first hygienic mouse trap. Victor claims the hygienic seal would prevent small insects and various disease-carrying fluids from escaping the trap. As you may have guessed the hygienic part essentially means that the trap is not reusable and needs to be disposed upon catching an animal. You’re getting 2 of those for the price of around 10 dollars, which is not expensive, but still a little pricier than a regular snap trap. Unfortunately, the customers gave this trap a bad name, since apparently it was not just as easy to operate as the manufacturer claimed, and some consumers even gave it up altogether without figuring out how to set it. Others who were a little bit luckier with setting the trap said it didn’t kill the mice but fed them instead.

Price: Check the current price

Trapper Hidden Kill Mouse Trap-1 case of 24n Traps

This is something else that we have not yet covered in this guide: it’s essentially a package of 24 disposable traps with stealthy low-profile design and an optional corner placement. Unfortunately, the seller has not yet provided more information on how the traps look and work, but it’s a relatively new product and we hope that more is coming.

Price: Check the current price

Kness Ketch-All Mousetrap

This is a famous Ketch-All mousetrap that has been featured in a lot of scientific research and has become prominent because it really works well at catching several mice (some reviewers even mentioned catching as many as 50 per one setting). This is some sort of humane trapping since it doesn’t involve killing. But unfortunately, you still have to dispose of mice anyhow. In case you want to do it as humanely as possible, then you’d have to consider euthanization of mice. Kness, the manufacturer, also sells a drowning attachment, which you can purchase separately in case you don’t know how to euthanize the mice, where to release them or dispose of them.

Price: Check the current price

Southern Homewares Humane Multi-Catch Mouse Trap Corner Unit

This is yet again humane live catch trap which has been designed for placement in corners. The concept is the same as with the Katch-All, meaning it’s a multi-catch reusable trap that requires no winding, no batteries, no baiting, or any other maintenance. And apparently, judging by positive consumer response, it did work! However, yet again, after the mice are caught, you’re still left with killing them.

Price: Check the current price

Best Mouse Traps Comparative Chart

Product Type Peculiarities Snap-E Mouse Trap Snap #1 best selling snap trap. Intruder 30442 The Better Mousetrap Snap A kit for killing a large mouse population. The design is sensitive so that it is impossible to steal the bait. Tomcat Mouse Size Glue Traps Glue For catching individual rodents. Very sticky. D-Con Ultra Set Mouse Trap Closed Snap Allows avoiding tactile and eye contact with a dead rodent. Tomcat Kill and Contain Mouse Trap Closed Snap It is lovely and compact, will fit even the least accessible places. Is equipped with a catch indicator. Victor Electronic Mouse Trap M2524 Electronic Electrocutes mice in 5 seconds, is equipped with a catch indicator. Vensmile Humane Smart Mouse Trap Live Catch Humane pest catching. Victor Smart-Kill Wi-Fi Electronic Mouse Trap Electronic You’ll receive a wi-fi enabled text alerts in case the mouse is trapped. RinneTraps 2 Pack-Walk The Plank Mouse Trap Drop To use the trap, you’ll need a 5-gallon bucket and a little bit of water. Victor Kill & Seal Mouse Trap No Touch No See Trap Closed Snap Hygienic seal would prevent small insects and various disease-carrying fluids from escaping the trap. Trapper Hidden Kill Mouse Trap-1 case of 24n Traps Trap Unfortunately, the seller has not yet provided more information on how the traps look and work. Kness Ketch-All Mousetrap Live Catch This trap has become prominent because it really works well at catching several mice. Southern Homewares Humane Multi-Catch Trap Live Catch It’s a multi-catch reusable trap that requires no winding, no batteries, no baiting, or any other maintenance.

How effective is mouse trapping?

According to the researchers from the University of California, trapping is an effective method of reducing the mouse population, especially when placed in strategic locations. Also, when rodenticides are not an option (due to sanitation or any other concerns), trapping might be the only best approach. Overall, the advantages of mouse trapping can be summarised in a few key points:

Traps are relatively safe for humans and pets, unlike rodenticides that can be deadly.

Traps allow you to see your progress: how many mice you killed and if the strategy is effective

Can be disposed of quickly: there are no dead mice in the walls to deal with, thus no unpleasant odors

Cheap and easily accessible: can be purchased virtually anywhere

Can be baited easily and just as cheaply: a dab of peanut butter would work well for most mice

There is an array of options to choose from: wooden snap traps, newer plastic versions, live cages, electric, and glue boards (which there’s no justification to recommend)

However, this method is not without its disadvantages: trapping is time-consuming and works well for a small infestation. Also, placement is key, and we’ll cover this in more detail in later sections.

Strategy & Tactics: Effective plan for mouse hunting

The scientists from the University of Missouri suggest abiding by the following rules when addressing mice problems:

Think of baiting first. Try several baits and see what works best: could be anything from cheese, peanut butter, candy, or even bacon. Leave traps baited but unset for several nights for mice to get accustomed to the safety of the traps (thus preventing trap-shyness) Set the traps: the trigger must be sensitive and spring easily Set as many traps as you can: you have to target the large portion of the mice population Set the traps in key areas: along the walls (which are often referred to as mice highways), in dark corners, behind objects, and wherever else you see mice activity. Set the traps so the mice pass directly over the trigger as they travel (see picture below in “Where to place traps” for details). Repeat this routine several times until you exterminate most of the mice Take prevention steps to minimize your house attractiveness for mice: keep foodstuff in metal containers, store trash outside, do not leave pet food overnight, etc.

How to Trap a Mouse

To trap a mouse, it is essential to understand where and from where rodents appear as well as their behavior. Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture has devised four rules of mice trapping:

Compared to rats, mice forage only short distances from their nest – usually not more than 10-25 feet. When food and shelter are adequate, their foraging range may be only a few feet. For this reason, traps and other control devices must be placed in areas where mouse activity is most apparent.

– usually not more than 10-25 feet. When food and shelter are adequate, their foraging range may be only a few feet. For this reason, traps and other control devices must be placed in areas where mouse activity is most apparent. Mice prefer to travel adjacent to walls and other edges – another critical point to remember when positioning control devices.

– another critical point to remember when positioning control devices. Mice are very inquisitive and will investigate each new object placed in their foraging territory. If control devices are not initially successful, move them around to a different location.

There should be plenty of traps. Mice are nocturnal animals and are able to go looking for food up to 30 times per night.

We’ll add one more important rule to this list. Make sure you wear rubber gloves when setting the traps and placing the bait. Mice have a subtle sense of smell which will not let them approach a trap that has a human smell.

How many traps do you need? Mice procreate rapidly, that is why the scientists believe it is necessary to have a dozen or more traps in order to get rid of the entire population.

What is a multiple catch trap? Will it catch a few mice at once?

Yes. In fact, these are live catch-and-release traps that catch multiple mice over time without killing them. However, although, it might sound like a humane version of catching a nuisance animal, these traps are not without their drawbacks. First of all, what would you do with a caught mouse? Are you planning to release it “far away from your house”? If this is the case, then you’re releasing an animal to its death anyway. The released mouse would be absolutely unaware and unfamiliar with the new surroundings, it would have no places to hide, probably nothing to eat to survive on. It can become someone’s lunch within hours or even minutes. Besides, there are catch-and-release laws in every state that govern the procedure of releasing wild or nuisance animals and you’re expected to abide by the law. It’s generally recommended to kill the caught mice as humanely as possible, rather than release it somewhere in the wilderness where it would suffer and die anyway.

How to Lure Mice into Your Traps?

Domestic rodents prefer grain, cereal and nuts. The University of Kentucky experts note that domestic rodents’ diet varies and cereal grains are a mere foundation of it. – Mice feed on a wide variety of foods but prefer seeds and cereal grains. They also are fond of foods high in fat and protein such as nuts, bacon, butter and sweets (an important point to remember when choosing bait for snap traps). Mice are “nibblers” and may make 20-30 visits to different food sites each night.

Peanut butter bait is popular among mouse trap users as its density makes it convenient to roll small balls or spread it on the sensor surface of the trap. Contrary to a popular myth, mice are not crazy about cheese and are as enthusiastic about it as they are about other products, so cheese is not always the best option.

As the above mentioned scientist Michael F. Potter jokes, you must “think like a mouse”. It’s best if you use smoked ham or bacon. Unrefined vegetable oil will also be a decent alternative to peanut butter. Pour some oil on the white bread or place some roasted sunflower seeds or peanut hearts inside the mouse trap.

Pros & Cons of Mouse Traps

Pros They are effective. Some are better than others at catching but most of them do their job perfectly well

The regular old-fashioned mouse traps are inexpensive, even some electric options are becoming more and more affordable Cons Will work well for a small infestation

You’ll have to purchase many traps for hunting to be effective and successful. And if you opt for electric traps, then purchasing a few can become rather costly

Catch-and-release traps are not as humane as they seem: if you release a rodent somewhere in the woods, it will die suffering anyway

FAQ

Can mouse traps be reused?

Yes, they can. However, some are not reusable and should be disposed of after catching mice. Please, refer to the label of the trap for more information.

Can mouse traps hurt cats and dogs?

Yes. Unfortunately, you have to be careful while using traps around children and pets. There won’t be anything serious, but they could get hurt: snouts, paws, and fingers can be injured if snapped by a trap.

Can mouse traps kill rats?

No, you will have to purchase separate traps that are designed for rats since the ones intended for mice are too small to kill any rat.

Can mouse traps break fingers?

The mouse traps will highly unlikely break human fingers, however, rat traps can.

Can mouse traps kill squirrels, chipmunks, snakes, moles?

Absolutely not. The mouse traps are too small for any of those animals, besides each of the aforementioned species have different behavioral patterns which affect their movements, preferences, eating and other habits, and what will work for some will come up short with others.

How to clean mouse traps?

Unless you’re using a disposable trap (which should be dumped directly into the trash), wear non-absorbent gloves first, then get rid of the dead mouse by lifting the spring bar, spray the trap with disinfectant and let it dry. However, it’s best not to clean traps often, because the smell of a disinfectant or soap can drive mice away while their mates’ smell (even dead) and familiar scents can lure them in.

What mouse traps do exterminators use?

Each exterminator has their own favorite. But most of them use simple spring rat trap like the ones sold by Victor. You can get 72 of these simple traps for less than 50 dollars.

Are there any humane mouse traps that do not kill them?

Sure, there are plenty and they are getting popular. The Ketch-All from Kness and Corner Trap from Southern Homewares are considered humane because they don’t involve any killing. However, you’re still expected to kill the mice after they are caught. You can also release them somewhere in the woods, but they would most certainly die.

Product suggestions: mouse traps for different places and situations

Mouse trap for car

In case you’re that unfortunate that you have a little mice infestation in your car or rodents chewing on your car wires, then maybe it’s best to try an ultrasonic repellent first to drive them out of your garage and subsequently your car. Try Loraffe Under Hood Animal Repeller that emits both sonic and ultrasonic waves to deter mice and some other rodents from entering your vehicle.

Mouse trap for attic / ceiling

In case you have a lot of mice in the attic, then try setting Intruder snap traps along the walls and see how that plays out. If the infestation is rather small, then try Victor Electric Trap, two or three of which should be enough for a small population.

Mouse trap for outside

You don’t want to use electric traps outside unless they are waterproof, which most of them are not. Thus, it’s better to use plastic snap traps, like Snap-E, or classic wooden traps, like Victor.

Mouse trap for garage

Try ultrasonic repellers first: Loraffe Under Hood Animal Repeller for the car, and Ultrasonic Pest Venator for the garage. If that doesn’t work, try Victor Electric Traps, or even try one with a wi-fi app that would send you messages when the mice are caught so you don’t have to inspect it very often.

Mouse trap for barn & chicken coop

I would advise on either catching mice alive (with Katch-All, for example) and then killing them outside the barn or chicken coop, or using relatively safe traps that would not hurt other non-target animals (like chicken). Among those safe traps, we can recommend using the Plank Mouse Trap or the Rolling Log.

Mouse trap for kitchen

Since in the kitchen both kids and pets can be exposed to the dangers of trapping, then it’s best to avoid classic wooden traps, unless covered. Our bet is to use electric traps, like Victor No Touch No See, so no one except mice would get hurt.

Mouse trap for basement

Usually, it’s the rats that seldom invade basements, but if you’re pretty sure you have mice, then you can try several options: repellers, plastic or wooden traps.

Mouse trap for garden/yard

I would bet for the same traps mentioned for “outside”: go for plastic, like Intruder, or wooden traps, like Victor, and try to stay away from electric ones since only a few of them are waterproof.

How to prevent mice from entering your home?

Prevention is a key strategy for success in eradicating mice. Researchers from the University of California suggest taking the following preventative measures:

Limit food sources: use tightly sealed metal containers for storing food and disposing of garbage; remove the pet food from the floor and never leave it out in the open overnight

Clean your premises on a regular basis

Seal cracks and other openings shut (inspect everything from your attic to basement)

Use metal doors or if that’s not an option, cover the edges of the doors with metal to prevent gnawing

Keep pets who are willing to catch mice (like cats)

When is best to call exterminators and not DIY?

If you have a large mice infestation and preventative measures along with trapping failed to work, then it’s a good idea to call pest control or exterminators. Also, in case you tried trapping and it seemed to work at first, but the mice just keep on multiplying, then your infestation is growing and you’re no longer in control, thus call pest control immediately to prevent mice from further damaging your property. Also, remember that before attempting to clean your premises, a pest control professional should hear your story, methods, and traps you’ve tried, as well as inspect your house to understand the scope of the problem. Pest control agencies often use chemical pesticides, but if you have children and pets in your household, it’s best to see what type of chemical is used and if it’s too risky then ask for alternatives.

When Is Trapping Better Than Poisoning?

Rodenticides are of course simpler, faster and better than traps. You don’t have to regularly check them; you merely wait for the results after having spread the poison. This makes them especially convenient for use on large territories. These substances prevent blood clogging making the victim die of internal bleeding. Several poisons lethally affect the rodents’ CNS, kidneys, heart and liver, hence the rodenticides’ biggest drawback in being hazardous for kids and pets. Moreover, the pests will die anywhere and exude an unpleasant putrid smell unless you remove them in time.

Traps are deprived of these disadvantages. If several mice have infected your house, don’t rush to poison them. When there are a few small rodents, try catching them with mouse traps. Set them along the walls where you have seen mice or their life activity traces. Locate a trap perpendicularly to the wall (though some manuals recommend parallel placement).

Conclusion: Which mouse trap is the best?

This is seriously the hardest question in this guide because there’s no magic cure for mice unless you’ll take an integrated approach and keep hunting regularly until you eliminate the large population. Wooden traps are classic examples used for centuries with a relative degree of success and thus, can be safely recommended as one of the best and inexpensive options for dealing with mice. The Rolling Log and Plank Mouse Trap are based approximately on the same idea of catching mice in a bucket with water, a reincarnation of an old-school homemade trapping, and which are relatively successful as well, provided you install them correctly and attentively. I would not recommend electric traps, because you’ll need a few of them, and they tend to be relatively costly and often rather ineffective.

Need to hire an exterminator? Find the best licensed professionals in your area.