Mice are some of the most common unwanted visitors, nomer matter where you live. They can show up anytime of the year too — not just the cold weather months when they may be seeking warmth plus shelter.
The dander plus droppings they leave behind are undeniably gross, but they can also introduce diseases plus chew up wires plus walls. And even though you might only spot one, chances are they have friends lurking nearby. “The rule of thumb is that for every mouse you see in the home, another 10 are hiding out,” said Dion Lerman, Environmental Health Programs Specialist with the Pennsylvania Integrated Pest Management Program.
If you find yourself with a few new friends or a full-blown infestation, a good mouse trap will help take care of the problem. We asked the pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute to pick out the best mouse traps based on our testing plus experience with reliable brands. Below, you’ll find our top recommendations, as well as knowledge on the different kinds of mouse traps plus prevention advice.
Victor has been making mouse traps since 1898 — its wooden snap trap is iconic (that one is also included in our round-up). But this electronic model is proof of the company’s belief in building a better mouse trap.
It uses sensor technology to determine when a mouse enters the chamber, then delivers a high-voltage shock that kills the mouse quickly. Our experts like that the Victor electronic mouse trap is engineered with both a no-touch plus no-see disposal, plus it is easy to empty, clean plus bait. “The Victor has done the best job of all trap types at containing the mice masalah in our New York City apartment,” noted one tester. Many Amazon shoppers agreed: It’s got almost 10K five-star reviews.
The downside is it takes four AA batteries plus the electric jolt uses a lot of juice, making it even less affordable, especially if you’re dealing with a true mice infestation.
The standard wood-and-metal snap trap from Victor is the perfect combination of value plus efficiency. Our testers loved how inexpensive these traps are — just around a dollar apiece. “The reusable mouse trap is also easy to use with a large, pre-baited plastic cheese pedal that eliminates the need to set up your own bait. Still, it’s a little tricky setting the spring-loaded arm bar.
According to the brand, the trap features an expanded trigger plate which makes for a higher rate of rodent catching. But those with animals or little kids in the house need to be careful. “We have a dog in the house, so we had to be strategic with the placement of the traps to make sure he didn’t get caught up in them,” added one tester. Another noted that curious kids had a close call when they forgot to remove a trap from a highly-trafficked spot.