There are different kinds of rodent traps. All of them will catch rodents, but the best one depends on your budget and your level of comfort dealing with the dead rodents. Here are the latest and traditional traps that you can choose from:
Plastic Snap Traps
Wooden snap traps are cheap, but difficult to set up and are not reusable. Plastic snap traps are durable, hard and can be reused. These units have a tiny cup where you can put a small amount of peanut butter or other kinds of bait.
Pull back the metal lever to a 90ﹾ angle. This lever is released once the rodent steps on the plate. The unit then snaps close, capturing the rodent in the process. The metal snap bar is positioned at a 90 ﹾangle, so it closes faster and traps more mice than wooden snap traps.
Pros and Cons
- This kind of trap is easy to set up and release because the metal bars are sturdy.
- It can be reused and it is affordable.
- The release bar is placed, so you don’t have to touch the body of the captured mouse.
- It’s a humane mousetrap because it kills the mouse quickly.
Electric Mouse Traps
Electric mousetraps can help you catch mice fast. Use several electric mousetraps to increase your chances of success. Put three or more of these traps in strategic locations. It’s cost-effective because electric mousetraps are reusable.
If you only have one mousetrap, you shouldn’t wait a day in between kills to empty the unit. Mice occupy homes in groups. If you see a single mouse, you most likely have 5 to 6 mice in your home.
In case you’re using one trap, it could take a week before you capture all the mice. If you have one or two traps, you should empty the units as soon as possible.
To use an electric mousetrap, you need to open the lid first and then put the selected bait on the unit. The bait station is usually found in the back of the trap, forcing the rodent to completely enter the unit.
This type of trap is equipped with a sensor, which triggers an electric current that electrocutes the captured rodent within seconds. It is over quickly, so the rodent doesn’t suffer. You only need to turn the trap over, open the lid, and get rid of the dead rodent. The trap can be reused to capture the next one.
Pros and Cons
- Electric mousetraps can last for years. It’s ideal for long-term use.
- Since the trap is enclosed in plastic, you don’t need to touch or see the dead mouse.
- This kind of trap has a high success rate. It kills the rodent quickly so you won’t find any wounded rodent inside or a missing bait.
- Electric mousetraps are expensive but reusable. After the initial investment, you should be able to use it for a long time.
Catch and Release Traps
Catch and release traps can be used for trapping the mouse and then releasing it far away from your property. You should empty this kind of trap often.
There are two main kinds of catch and release traps – plastic tubes and metal cages. Bait the traps with an appealing treat. When you set the traps, make sure the entry doors are open. A mouse entering the trap will be caught inside it.
Pros and Cons
- Catch and release traps are humane traps. If you don’t want to harm living creatures, it’s the best option for you. Catch and release traps won’t kill rodents.
- You need to handle the rodent and drive them to a location where you can release them. If you release them too close to your property, they may come back to their nest and you will be dealing with the same rodent problem again. Drive them about a mile away from your home.
- Catch and release traps should be monitored more often as you’re catching living creatures.
Plastic Enclosed Snap Traps
There are different kinds of plastic enclosed mousetraps and these are safe to use around children and pets. It’s important to bait plastic enclosed snap traps properly. The trigger is not as sensitive as in other models. If the mice are very small, they might get the bait without getting captured.
You should put a small amount of sticky substance or peanut butter in the bait door and then push a bit of food into it such as a nut, raisin, or piece of chocolate. It forces the rodent to stay long enough for the trap’s trigger to snap.
Plastic enclosed mousetraps are equipped with a hard plastic shell and a compartment where you put the bait. You have to turn the trap or press a lever until it clicks. When the rodent steps on the sensor, the spring will snap shut. The rodent will be captured inside the trap and you only need to get rid of the entire thing.
Pros and Cons
- Plastic enclosed mousetraps are clean. You don’t have to touch or see the rodent’s dead body. This is the best mousetrap for squeamish individuals.
- The plastic enclosed spring-loaded trap and baiting station ensure that there’s no risk of anyone besides the targeted animal getting hurt.
- Plastic enclosed mousetraps cannot be re-used. If you have a chronic rodent problem, using such traps could get expensive in the long run.
Ultrasonic Pest Control Unit
Get the right kind of pest control unit for your room. If you get one that covers a 100 sq. ft. area, you cannot place it in a 300 sq. ft. room and expect it to get rid of mice and rats.
Reviews about such products are mixed. Some people believe that pest control units work, while others don’t. It depends on how the pest control units are set up in your house and how severe the rodent problem is.
These units release an ultrasonic wave that drives rodents away. Pest control units work more like a mouse repellant than a real trap.
Pros and Cons
- Pest control units only need to be plugged in, so there’s no work involved in utilizing these tools.
- It’s the best alternative to mouse traps if you don’t wish to kill the rodents, but only want to keep them away.
- Pest control units last a long time.
- If you have a huge house, the ultrasonic wave may not reach every site where rodents are hiding. Pest control units are not very effective if there are already mice or rats inside your home. Conduct your own research before you purchase anything because some pest control units may not work at all.
Glue Trap
These products trap mice or rats on a sticky surface. Once it traps a mouse, you have to throw the entire unit away.
Pros and Cons
- Glue traps don’t have a snapping mechanism that could hurt your nose or fingers.
- Glue traps don’t work all the time. There are times when you will only see fur on the traps.
- It’s not a humane way of killing rodents. The glue keeps the rodent stuck on the surface. It doesn’t kill the rodent right away. Instead, the rodent will slowly die, as it can’t access water or food.
