The Best Mouse Traps in 2024 (Tested by Our Experts)
The best mouse trap of 2024 is the Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap. It's a 5 star in almost every field, and will make sure to help you get rid of mice in one of the cheapest ways. But there are other alternatives — depending on your needs. In this guide, we've highlighted the top 5 mouse traps, along with their pros, cons and how they work.
So let's get started, shall we?
Our top picks
What Are the Best Rodent Traps in 2024? (Top 5)
The world of mouse control has advanced significantly over the years, making the impact on our way of living far more manageable. Let's investigate into five of the best-selector mice traps for 2024 and understand their benefits and drawbacks.
Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap
The Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap works well due to its easy-to-set design and effective mouse-grabbing features, presents a cost-efficient solution. It ensures that we don't have to touch a dead mouse, providing a cleaner and safer environment.
Efficiency | |
Affordability | |
Ease-Of-Use | |
Ethicality |
Why we like it
✅ It's easy to set
✅ Effective capture design
✅ Cost-efficient solution
What we don't like
❌ Not the most durable option
❌ Less discrete compared to others
How to use it?
- Baiting: Open the bait cup on the bottom of the Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap and place a small amount of bait.
- Setting the trap: Hold the Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap with one hand and pull back the U-shaped bar with the other until it clicks and locks in place. Be careful to keep your fingers away from the trigger area to avoid accidental snaps.
- Placement: Place the Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap in an area where mice are frequently seen or where mouse droppings are present. The best locations are along walls, behind objects, and in dark, secluded areas where mice like to hide.
- Disposal and resetting: After the Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap has caught a mouse, use the same U-shaped bar to release the snap and dispose of the mouse. You can reset and reuse the trap if it remains in good condition.
Owltra Indoor Electric Mouse Catcher
This high-tech electric trap showcases advanced features like a fatal electric shock for instant mouse killing and a no-touch, no-see disposal design encased in plastic, ensuring a safe environment, especially when children are around.
Efficiency | |
Affordability | |
Ease-Of-Use | |
Ethicality |
Why we like it
✅ Advanced electric shock feature
✅ No-touch, no-see disposal design
What we don't like
❌ More expensive than other traps
❌ Less effective in highly infested areas
How to use it?
- Baiting: Open the bait compartment at the back of the trap and add bait, ensuring it's made accessible to the mice.
- Setting the trap: Insert batteries if not already installed, and turn the switch to the "on" position. A light may flash to indicate the trap is active.
- Placement: Place the trap along a wall or near a suspected entry point where mice are likely to travel. Make sure the entrance is accessible to mice but not easily disturbed by household pets or children.
- Disposal and resetting: The trap features a light or other indicator to show when a mouse has been caught. When this is triggered, you can dispose of the mouse without seeing or touching it by sliding the dead mouse directly into the trash.
Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap
The Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap combines the simplicity of traditional snap traps and safety. Its easy disposability and reuse make it an economical choice, although it's not the most discrete.
Efficiency | |
Affordability | |
Ease-Of-Use | |
Ethicality |
Why we like it
✅ Easy and safe to use
✅ Economical choice
What we don't like
❌ Potential for accidental triggerings
❌ Not as discrete as others
How to use it?
- Baiting: Apply a small amount of bait to the bait pedal of the Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap, which acts as a door for the mouse.
- Setting the trap: Press down on the back of the Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap until the bar snaps and locks into place with the bait pedal set, ready to trigger when a mouse attempts to take the bait.
- Placement: Place the trap perpendicular to the wall where mice are known to travel. The bait side should be closest to the wall.
- Disposal and resetting: Once a mouse is caught, lift the bar to release the mouse into a trash bin. Check and clean the Victor Easy Set Mouse Trap if reusing.
Rinnetraps Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Rodent Trap
Designed for large outbreaks or places like barns, this trap captures multiple mice with a self-resetting mechanism, making it a powerful ally in the rodent war.
Efficiency | |
Affordability | |
Ease-Of-Use | |
Ethicality |
Why we like it
✅ Good for large infestations
✅ Self-resetting mechanism
What we don't like
❌ Quite bulky
❌ Requires handling of live or drowned mice
How to use it?
- Baiting: Attach the Flip N Slide device to a standard 5-gallon bucket.
- Setting the trap: Place bait on the inside of the "flip" part of the trap to lure mice onto the sliding mechanism.
- Placement: Set the bucket in an area where mice are active. The mice will climb up to the bait, triggering the flip mechanism to slide them into the bucket.
- Disposal and resetting: If you've set the trap for catch and release, you can relocate the trapped mice far from your home. If it's set with water inside, dispose of the contents according to local regulations.
Owltra Tunnel Snap Mouse Trap
This snap trap, fully enclosed in a tunnel design, offers a safer, more clinical capture, ideal for those who prefer an out-of-sight capture method.
Efficiency | |
Affordability | |
Ease-Of-Use | |
Ethicality |
Why we like it
✅ Safer for houses with children or pets
✅ Conceals the capture
What we don't like
❌ Slightly difficult to set
❌ Less effective in capturing large rodents
How to use it?
- Baiting: Open the tunnel, apply bait to the far end to ensure the mouse enters deeply into the trap.
- Setting the trap: Place the snap trap inside the tunnel and set it by pressing the rear bar until it clicks.
- Placement: Position the trap in areas where mice activity is noticed, ensuring the entrance is unobstructed.
- Disposal and resetting: After catching a mouse, the tunnel design allows for easy disposal without viewing or touching the mouse. Open the tunnel, release the snap, and allow the mouse to fall into a trash receptacle.
Why trust pest agent?
Our Founder & CEO, Ismael Girard, reviewed these traps firsthand. With the help of pest control experts, he was allowed to test more than 10 different mice traps, and evaluate each of them based on efficiency, affordability, ease-of-use, and ethicality, ensuring you are learning from a trustworthy and experienced pest control expert.
What we considered in testing mice catchers
As we tested these mouse traps, several key factors surfaced that shaped our perspective. From efficiency and ease-of-use to affordability and ethicality, each product was scrutinized along these lines to provide you with the most comprehensive insights.
Ease-of-Use
Having a product that is easy to use is as important as its effectiveness. Understanding the baiting process, how to set the trap, and eventually, extract a trapped (or dead) mouse, should not feel like you're solving a complex puzzle. Similarly important, traps should be safe around children and pets to prevent accidents, providing peace of mind while solving your mouse problem.
Efficiency
We considered how rapidly and consistently each trap could catch a mouse. A good mousetrap should reduce the infestation and curb the problem quick.
Ethicality
Some traps offer a more civilized solution than others. The ethicality of a trap may seem insignificant to some, but humane choices reflect our values as responsible inhabitants sharing the ecosystem.
Affordability
When testing, we factored in the cost of each mouse trap and whether it offered value for its price.
How to properly bait a mouse trap?
Baiting your mouse trap effectively can significantly increase your odds of getting rid of mice in your house.
While using baits, it's important you keep the quantity small. Mice have a keen sense of smell, so a tiny amount will suffice. Also, using a small amount of bait will make the mouse work to get the bait, likely setting off the trap.
⚠️ In case of an infestation, you don't want to provide these mice with an abundance of free meals. So, check the baited traps daily and replace the bait if it seems to go unnoticed for a few days.
What mouse baits to use?
Whether you're employing traditional snap traps, electronic traps, or glue traps to catch mice, the choice plays an essential role in determining the success rate. Many foods can serve as effective bait options.
- Peanut Butter: A favorite classic mice attractant! Its sticky texture makes it harder for the mouse to grab the bait without setting off the trap. The high fat and protein content in peanut butter make it an irresistible treat for mice.
- Pet Food: Got some leftover pet food? Use it as bait. Mice are fond of these small, easy-to-carry chunks. But, keep it away from your pets' reach to avoid mishaps.
- Sweet treats: For those with a sweet tooth, items like chocolate or bits of candy can also be compelling bait.
The choice of bait and its effective use can make all the difference when it comes to trapping mice. Try different baits until you find the one that works best on the sort of mouse you're dealing with.
What are the different types of mice traps available?
Mice are a common problem in homes, and dealing with these pests requires effective products. Here, we investigate into the various types of mouse traps on the market like snap traps, bucket lid, "no see" traps, no kill traps, and electric traps.
Snap traps
When you hear the term "mouse trap," a traditional snap trap probably comes to mind. Renowned for its simple yet effective design, this type of trap has a spring-loaded bar that snaps down when a mouse triggers it, typically by taking the bait. A good example is the Tomcat Press 'N Set 'Mouse Trap, picked in the 1st position of our ranking.
Bucket traps
Bucket traps are another popular choice and they come in a few different variations. These traps often use bait to lure mice onto a cylinder or plank which then tips, depositing the mouse into a deep bucket below. This non-lethal method is ideal for catch and release purposes, but make sure to check the trap regularly to avoid the mice suffering from starvation or dehydration.
Electric traps
When it comes to technology, mouse trapping is not left behind, and electric traps provide a high-tech and highly effective rodent control method. While these traps tend to be more expensive, they are easy to clean and can often be used repeatedly, increasing their long term value.
"No see" traps
If the idea of coming face-to-face with a trapped or dead rodent is unsettling, "No See" traps may fit the bill perfectly. These traps encase the rodent, making removal a breeze without the need to see or touch the mouse. Just remember to dispose of these traps responsibly.
No kill traps (humane traps)
Humane mouse traps, which catch mice live, offer a more merciful way to tackle your rodent problem. The main aim is to trap the mouse without causing it harm, so you can release it back to nature. If the idea of killing a rodent makes you uncomfortable, going with a no kill trap could be the answer.
What mistakes to avoid when trapping mice?
Trapping mice can be a challenging, yet necessary task for homeowners dealing with rodents. While there are many trap options available, using them efficiently demands a certain understanding of common mistakes that can render the trap ineffective.
Let's investigate into some typical blunders you might encounter in your pursuit of achieving a rodent-free house.
Ruining the bait
A common mistake we see is people touching the bait with their hands. Rodents have a keen sense of smell and can detect human scent, which might deter them from approaching the trap. Make sure to use gloves when setting up and baiting the trap. It's also crucial to keep the bait fresh. Using old, stale bait is less appealing to mice, reducing the effectiveness of the trap.
Using the wrong food
While it's true that rodents love cheese, it’s not the most effective bait for a mouse trap. Mice are actually more attracted to sweet, fatty foods, such as peanut butter. Placing a dollop of peanut butter on the trigger of the trap could significantly increase your odds of catching a mouse.
Using too much food
On the heels of the previous point, avoid loading the trap with an excess amount of bait. Rodents are wary creatures. They may manage to steal small pieces of food without triggering the trap. They're cautious, and a trap overly loaded with bait gives them the chance to nibble without getting caught. A mere dab of food on the bait pedal is typically enough.
Expecting instant success
Patience is key when it comes to trapping rodents. Don’t get frustrated if the mouse doesn't fall for the trap right away or if the trap hasn’t been triggered overnight. It might take a few days for the mice to get accustomed to the presence of the new object in their environment.
Putting the trap in the wrong place
Finding the perfect location for your trap is as essential as selecting the right trap. Mice tend to follow walls, preferring to keep one side of their body brushed up against something solid. To do this, setting mice traps against the wall, perpendicularly, so the baited end is closest to the wall is a great strategy.
Using only 1 trap per place
If you're dealing with a significant infestation, a single trap might not do the trick. It's better to set up multiple traps across different areas of the house, increasing the likelihood of trapping the mouse. Keep in mind that mice are prolific breeders; where there is one, there usually are more.
Putting these safeguards into practice will surely enhance the efficiency of your rodent trapping endeavors, promoting a safer, healthier living environment in your home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my cat to catch mice?
Yes, but you shouldn't. While it's true that domestic cats are natural predators and may help control a small mouse problem, relying solely on them for rodent control is not the best idea. In fact, not all cats have the instinct or ability to catch and kill mice. Plus, mice carry diseases that could potentially harm your pet.
Are sticky glue traps efficient for killing mice?
Sticky and glue traps are commonly used due to their accessibility and ease of use. But, their efficiency is often a point of debate. While they can indeed catch mice, they don't kill them instantly. So, these traps might not be the most humane solution, as the rodent can suffer for hours trying to break free.
Is poison a good mouse killer?
Poison can help get rid of mice. But, it comes with several risks. For one, it can also be harmful to humans and pets if consumed accidentally. Dead mice poisoned by rodenticides often crawl away to die in hidden places, resulting in an unpleasant smell.
Do you offer pest control products for self-application?
Absolutely! We provide a wide range of pest control products that you can use yourself, suitable for various types of infestations and pest control needs.
Meet your expert
Ismael Girard, Founder of Pest Agent has dealt with a range of mice challenges. From residential homes to commercial spaces fighting rodent infestations, his journey has encompassed a diverse range of scenarios. This extensive experience has not only deepened his understanding of mice behavior and control methods but has also honed his ability to diagnose and resolve complex pest issues efficiently.
