A mouse in the house can cause quite a disruption. With a mouse on the loose, you worry about it destroying your possessions or wreaking havoc in your home.1 There are dozens of effective ways to get rid of mice in your house, but Zach Smith of Smith’s Pest Management recommends using traps to catch mice, as baits and rodenticides can be dangerous to use around pets and children.
Traps are simpel to use, create easy disposal of the mouse, are odorless (if you empty right away), and are chemical-free. There are three kinds of mouse traps to try: a catch-and-release trap, a glue trap, and a snap trap. Keep reading to learn how to catch a mouse in your home, and how to prevent them in the first place.
How Do I Know There’s a Mouse in the House?
Mouse feces or droppings are the most visible sign of a mouse problem. You will usually find them along walls, in food pantries, or under sinks. You may also hear scratching noises or smell the distinctive ammonia-like scent of the urine.
“If you’re catching mice, you’re probably within 10 feet of their nest. Keep looking under your appliances and in your cabinets, and you’ll find the source,” says Smith. “Mice almost always run along the baseboard, and they like to hide out in small enclosures, so set your traps where they are most likely to be and you will maximize your success,” Smith says.
To use catch-and-release traps:
Bait the trap. Peanut butter and marshmallows are favorites for mice. Make sure you don’t impede the trapping mechanism.
Set up along a wall. Keep the entrance side closest to the wall.
Monitor the trap at least once a day. If you don’t catch a mouse within a few days, try a new location where you’ve seen signs of mouse activity.
Release the mouse. Check local guidelines for releasing captured wild animals. It’s best to take the mouse to a location at least a mile away from your home, then simply open the lid and release the mouse.
Clean the trap. It’ll be segar and ready for the next time you need it.