Learn which mouse trap types are best for your needs
Few surprises are as unpleasant as suddenly discovering that you’ve been playing host to tiny squeaking rodents which love nothing more than seeing their numbers multiply. Especially since you have to assume the presence of about five more if you happen to have spotted one sneaking a tasty morsel from your pet’s food bowl.
Mouse traps provide an efficient means of ensuring things don't get out of control. And there are a variety of options for you to choose from too.
We invite you to take a look at some of the most effective mouse trap types and the pointers we’ve provided to ensure the mice take the bait as often as possible:
The best mouse traps for domestic use
There are several methods which may be used to prevent the population of mice in your home from exploding. However, traps are particularly popular due to the fact that they involve a minimum of fuss and can be especially cost effective too.
Below you will find brief overviews of the main categories as well as helpful tips on enhancing their efficiency.
Snap Traps
The oldest of the bunch - they were invented in the late nineteenth century - snap traps are considered to be an especially effective means of reducing the population of mice in your home. They work with a spring mechanism which is triggered when a mouse moves on to a trap to take a mouthful of tempting peanut butter, chocolate or fried bacon.
Snap traps are considered to be ideal for placing at several points in the home - they're also the cheapest variety too.
Modern versions in metal and plastic are preferred since they happen to be stain and odor resistant compared to more traditional options.
However it's worth noting that special care must be taken when setting them and placing them around your home as using them does present a risk of injury to your fingers, children and pets.
Electronic mouse traps
Traps in this category are considered to be especially humane and efficient. They are particularly suitable for tinier mice which are known to occasionally sneak onto snap traps and make off with the bait without triggering the spring mechanism.
Electronic mouse traps function by delivering a powerful electric shock to the rodent which will immobilize it within a matter of seconds. Some of the more popular models are capable of handling scores of mice with a single battery and also come with features to protect children and pets from getting shocked accidentally.
However to ensure their maximum efficiency, it’s important to fit them with new batteries. It’s also worth noting that they’re only suitable for indoor use and must not be placed outside.
Catch-and-release or live-catch traps
These are also another firm favorite and their main appeal lies in the fact that they’re not only great at catching mice, but ensure no harm comes to them so that they can be released far away from your home.
Different varieties of catch-and-release traps can be found with some of them making use of a one-way door, so that the mouse finds itself unable to come out of the container which it's run into to sample a tempting treat.
Live-catch traps often come with ventilation to prevent the mouse from suffocating and transparent roofs or walls to ensure you can observe how many rodents are inside it.
However when using such traps, it’s important to check them regularly to ensure the mice are let out on time. It’s also important to note that these rodents are pretty good at finding their way back to a favorite spot and so you’d need to release them as far as possible from your home to prevent them from sneaking right back.
Such traps must also be cleaned regularly to rid them of the scent of their former occupants which might deter other mice from entering them.
Pointers for setting mouse traps
Obtaining your mouse trap of choice is only one half of the battle against a rodent invasion. The other half involves taking a few precautions to ensure you emerge victorious against these tiny, elusive creatures with a penchant for destructive behavior. These touches include:
Never handling your cat or dog before setting a trap
Few things are as frightening to a mouse as the scent of predatory animals such as canines or felines. If you cuddle your pet before proceeding to set a trap, any approaching mouse will most likely stay clear of it since it will give off their scent which the rodent will be able to perceive.
Using the right bait
In spite of the widespread belief in mice fondness for cheese, the truth is that they are even more partial to peanut butter or chocolate. Most trap manufacturers particularly recommend the former. It’s also important to keep all food sources out of reach and carefully concealed to increase the incentive of mice to help themselves to the bait.
Placing your traps in the right spots
Mice love to stay concealed as much as possible. And that means they love sneaking around corners, along walls and in dimly lit places, all of which makes these locations excellent spots for placing traps.
And it’s important to place more than just one device and to even diversify the mouse trap types or the bait used in each of them to increase your chances of preventing the population of mice from getting any larger.
Resources — Orkin, Apartment Therapy, Do It Yourself Pest Control
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