How to Trap a Mouse in the House

Use fresh bait to catch mice quickly.

If you have a mouse in your house, you likely want to get rid of it right away. A mouse will chew through your wires, get into your cupboards, leave droppings around your home and expose you to germs and diseases. It is best to call an exterminator if you have a large infestation. However, if you have one mouse running around your home and want to trap it, there are multiple ways to accomplish this task easily.

Things You'll Need

• Spring-board trap
• Glue trap
• Mouse poison
• Humane trap

Instructions

1. Use a glue trap. Glue traps are simple to use and effective at catching mice. Pull off the protector sheet to expose the glue. Place the glue trap in a dark corner where you saw the mouse. Discard the entire trap when you catch the mouse.

2. Use a spring-board trap. These small wooden traps are particularly effective when the bait on them is fresh. Use peanut butter, cheese or jerky as bait. Set the trap and place it where the mouse is running around. Discard the mouse when it is caught and reuse the spring-board trap as needed.

3. Use mice poison. Place powder or tablet form poison where you see mice running around. Make sure that the poison is out of the reach of your children and pets. The mice will eat the poison and perish within a few days.

4. Use a humane mouse trap. Humane traps contain an entryway and trap door. Bait is placed inside of the trap and the door shuts once the mouse enters. Place baited traps in areas of your home where you see mice. Once captured, set the mice free and reuse your trap when necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Mice love secluded dark areas. Place traps and baits under stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers.

References

• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Rat and Mouse Control
• Mother Nature Network: 5 Humane Critter Catchers

Resources

• Do-It-Yourself Pest Control: Mice and Mouse Control -- Baits and Traps