Rodent Trapping

Rodents can be pesky little critters, and they can be difficult to remove to trap if you don't know the right steps to take. When it comes to trapping rodents, you have the option of using either live traps or kill traps, depending on your preference. You should explore all of the different rodent trapping options before you decide on the method that would work best in your situation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Snap mouse or rat traps
• Peanut butter, walnuts, or cheese
• String
• Electronic mouse or rat traps
• Multiple rodent no kill traps
• Glue traps

1. Place a snap mouse trap into the attic, basement, kitchen cabinet, or crawlspace of your home to catch any stray rodents that might be running around. This is a kill method, so be prepared to clean up the mess that is left in the aftermath. Snap traps can be baited with cheese, peanut butter, or walnut halves that have been scraped to release the scent. This is one of the least expensive trapping methods, often costing only $5 for a two pack of traps.

2. Purchase an electronic mouse or rate trap. These traps deliver high voltage shocks to the rodents once they enter the traps, and kill the animals by electrocution. The advantage of these traps is that they are safe to use around children and pets, and provide a way for you to dispose of the rodents without having to touch or see them. Although more expensive than snap traps, often costing $25 or more, these are durable and could potentially last a lifetime.

3. Lay some glue traps out in areas where you have noticed evidence of rats or mice living. Glue traps are often considered the least humane of kill traps, as they capture the rodents and hold them until they slowly die. However, they are inexpensive, costing around $4, and can safely be used around the home. If you would like to catch and release rodents with glue traps, you can use vegetable oil to release the rodent once you get it to a new location.

4. Use multiple catch traps to humanly catch and release rodents. These innovative trapping containers can house up to 30 mice, and are maintenance free once baited. These traps cost around $15, and use a trap door method to capture the rodents, and keep them contained until you can release them into a new environment.

5. Take advantage of traps that can capture various other pests as well as rodents. For example, glue traps can capture spiders, flies, and other insects within your home, and multiple catch traps can rid your home or yard of snakes, moles, and more. This makes these types of traps much more economical and inviting. Visit the resource below to learn how to prevent a rodent infestation.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie the bait down to the traps with string to make the rodent really pull on it, and set off the trap correctly.
• Use caution when operating snap and electronic traps, and when releasing agitated rodents.

Resources

• Preventing Rodents

[Dan588]

on 12/31/2008 I have a catch and release metal trap. It has two thin metal rods that trigger the falling doors, they are tripped by a third bent crank shaped lever connected to food tray/trip mechanism. Maybe someone has one. I have misplaced the directions and do not know the sequence to set the trap. My critter who is obviously smarter than me, has lunched on a peanut butter cracker,a cheese cracker, and is presently going to dine on a ginger snap,unless someone can give me some directions. The chubby little bugger may choke to death before I figure out the trip sequence. He/she lives in my car.
Thanks for any help. I'll try to get the name of the trap after "chubby" is finished dinning. unless I got it right this time. The Waiter