The Best Mouse Traps for Getting Rid of Rodents
Mice may be cute, but not when they’re running rampant in your home. Not only can they be destructive as they seek shelter and food, but they can also spread viruses with their droppings. Prompt action is the only way to ward off a full-on rodent infestation, but with so many different mice traps on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your pest problem.
Not surprisingly, effectiveness is the most important thing to consider when purchasing a mouse trap, says Jason Leinneweber, division service manager at Critter Control. “Some traps may be cheaper but could be less effective or considered less humane,” he says. “On the other hand, some traps, like humane electrical traps, are more expensive but very effective.”
Our list of best mouse traps features traditional snap-style traps, modern electric bait stations, and humane catch and release cages. Read on for our picks, plus more insight from Leinneweber on how to protect your home from mice.
Victor No Touch, No See Indoor Electric Mouse Trap at Amazon
$53
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It’s easier to set up and empty than other traditional snap-style traps.
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They’re not safe for households with children or pets.
One of the perils of setting traditional snap-style mouse traps is that you could get your finger or toe trapped instead. While you still have to be careful with these traps from Feeke—it warns you in bright yellow right on the trap itself—it is easier to set up than others. To engage, just add bait to the refillable cup and make sure the trap clamp is open. The pack comes with six ready-to-bait traps that are durable enough for both indoor and outdoor use. Unlike other traps that mice might eventually become inured to, these quickly ensure that the mice won’t return. They’re reusable, too—just rinse with water to clean between uses.
Although these are easy enough to place without getting your fingers in the way, know that the pedal is very sensitive—it’s triggered by just 0.025 pounds of weight—so you will want to keep your fingers behind the clamp rather than in front of it. While this does mean you’ll be able to capture and kill even the tiniest of mice, you’ll want to set these where children and pets won’t have access to them.
Type: Snap | Dimensions: 3.9 by 1.93 by 2 inches | Number of Traps Included: 6
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This budget-friendly trap might be simple, but it works.
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It can be tricky to set up and could easily be triggered in high-traffic areas.
“[Mouse] traps can truly be a ‘you get what you pay’ for deal,” Leinneweber says. The exception to that rule, he says, are these wooden snap traps from Victor. They come pre-baited (the scented pedal even looks like a piece of cheese) and can be reused or disposed of as needed. There are no chemicals or poisons involved, so it’s safe to use in households with children and or pets so long as it’s out of the way of any accidental snaps. They come four in a package (you can also buy them in bulk where available) and are very reasonably priced.
These old-fashioned traps might be what first comes to mind when you think of a mouse trap, even though the mouse trap has certainly evolved and gotten more technical over time. But don’t confuse simplicity with ineffectiveness. “There is a reason they have been around for 100 years,” Leinneweber says. “My only advice with this style of trap is to keep your fingers out of the way.”
Type: Snap | Dimensions: 1 by 4.20 by 6.25 inches | Number of Traps Included: 12
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It’s quick and painless for the mouse and the human who has to dispose of it.
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You might have to experiment with trap placement and different baits.
There are two types of humane traps: those that allow you to release the mice back into the wild and those that kill instantly to prevent the animal from suffering. This electronic one from OWLTRA is in the latter category. It is designed to trap multiple mice, delivering a high-voltage shock that quickly takes care of your issue. The Quick-Zap system is 100% guaranteed to do just that without the need for poison or chemicals as bait, so you can set these up anywhere inside your home without worry. The infrared sensors are even able to detect rodents, so you can rest assured that curious little fingers and paws won’t get zapped in the process.
All you have to do is load up a tiny bit of bait at the back of the trap—the manufacturer recommends peanut butter—and set it. Once a mouse wanders in, the mag