The 5 Best Mouse Traps

No matter how much you love animals, everyone knows that at first sight of a mouse, it’s got to go. This is because, soon enough, one mouse will become a hoard of shy but destructive mice. Plus, mice are known to carry diseases that could affect humans and make you and your family seriously ill.

One of the most effective ways to get rid of a mouse is by using commercial mouse traps. You’ll find, however, that there are many of these in the market. A quick search will have you scratching your head and confused about which to pick.

To save you the hassle, we’ve rounded up and reviewed the best mouse traps on the market. This article also shares other important information on how to rid your house of mice.

So, read on to find the best mouse trap for you.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for the Best Five Mouse Traps

#1 Best Overall: Victor Electronic Mouse Trap

The Victor Electronic Trap is our #1 Best Overall pick for mouse traps because it’s an efficient, battery-powered unit with a 100% kill guarantee. Once a mouse gets in this, that’s one less mouse you have to worry about.

Although a little pricey, this mouse trap is well worth it because of features like its built-in safety switch. With this trap, you can also open and dispose of the mice without touching them. You don’t even have to see it, as a green light indicator lets you know once the work is done.

Those worried about the batteries need not be since reviewers say that four AA batteries can last a very long time. The company says it can last for up to 100 kills. This trap is also really easy to set up, but be advised that batteries are not included.

Some reviewers said that mice stole the bait but managed to escape.

Pros and Cons of the Victor Electronic Mouse Trap

Best Overall

Victor M250S Indoor Humane Electronic Mouse Trap

• Battery-powered -- requires four AA batteries
• One set of batteries (not included) can kill up to 100 mice
• Comes with a 100% kill guarantee
• Designed so you don't see or touch the mice
• A green light alerts you when a mouse is killed

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2. Best for Affordability: Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap

The Victor Brand shows up again in our top list, this time with the Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap. This poison-free mouse trap is a trusted option and kills a mouse in seconds. It’s a snap trap with a metal trip pedal.

You’ll also love that this trap comes with a sticky glue board. This will ensure that the mouse stays in place. It is very effective and comes with four that you can place in areas where you suspect mouse activity.

This simple trap combo is also affordable and comes with a simple design that works. Just ensure you do not get your hand caught during setup. Since this trap does not use batteries, you can also use it indoors and outdoors.

Several verified buyers reported that they didn’t receive the sticky traps.

Pros and Cons of the Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Trap

Best for Affordability

Ideal Mouse Control Combo Victor Original Mouse Traps & Sticky Glue Board

• The combo includes 4 conventional snap traps
• It also includes a sticky glue board so the mouse stays in place after the snap trap has been sprung
• Place the four traps where you suspect mouse activity
• Affordable
• Since no batteries are required, you can use this combo indoors or out

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3. Best Humane: DR Catch Humane Mouse Trap

If you don’t have the stomach or desire to harm any animal the DR Catch Humane Mouse Trap is for you. This live trap is easy to use and is considered very safe for those with children and pets.

The DR Catch Humane Mouse Trap is also simple to clean and use. You also won’t have to come in contact with the mouse during the catch or the release. Just put a great bait like peanut butter and then open the spring door. This will close once the mouse is detected and the mouse is caught.

You’ll appreciate that this trap is made with durable material to ensure the mouse does not escape. It also has tiny holes to prevent suffocation. Once you have your mouse, you can take the trap and release the mouse outside. Experts advise releasing the mouse far away to prevent it from returning to your home.

Several reviewers said that they were unable to reset the trap after they released the first mouse.

Pros and Cons of the DR Catch Humane Mouse Trap

Best Humane

Humane Mouse Trap 2-pack

• Easy to set and trap
• Safe for use around pets and children
• Place peanut butter inside to bait the trap and open the spring door
• When the mouse enters the trap, the door will snap closed
• You can release the mouse far from your home

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4. Best Glue Trap: Catchmaster Glue Mouse Trap

When it comes to glue mouse traps, you can’t beat the Catchmaster Glue Mouse Trap. This glue trap is easy to set, safe for use around children and pets, and available in multiple packs. You can effectively use this trap to get rid of a mice infestation.

You’ll like that this trap folds into a funnel shape for use in tight areas and is ready to use with no additional baiting. It is also effective in regions that are humid and damp. All you need to do is notice the path the mice take and place this in that area.

Reviewers verify that these mouse traps work. We’re not surprised because it is what most professional exterminators use. Just be ready with a plan of what to do with the mice when caught. Some people kill them immediately, while others just dispose of the mouse trap regardless of whether the mice are still alive.

A few reviewers said that mice managed to escape as evidenced by tiny footprints or tufts of hair on the trap.

Pros and Cons of the Catchmaster Glue Mouse Trap

Best Glue Trap

Catchmaster Baited Rat, Mouse and Snake Glue Traps - 12 Glue Trays

• Easy to set
• Safe for children and pets when used according to directions
• Available in multipacks
• Can be folded into a funnel shape to accommodate tight areas
• No bait required

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5. Best Electric: Owltra Indoor Electric Mouse Trap

If you’re looking for a quick but humane way to take out mice in your home without seeing them, the Owltra Mouse Trap is for you. It also comes with an infrared sensor that can detect pets and kids to protect them from being “zapped.” It is one of the best for indoor use.

This mouse trap also comes with a disposal system that ensures you do not have to see the mouse for disposal. Its no escape design keeps the mouse in place while taking it out. It is easy to clean, too, as opening the cover deactivates the trap.

Reviewers of this mouse trap appreciated its efficiency and that you can use it indoors. They also love that the mouse is killed without any mess. When one customer received a faulty product, the company quickly replaced and fixed the problem, which is a plus.

Several reviewers reported that they didn’t catch any mice with these traps.

Pros and Cons of the Owltra Indoor Electric Mouse Trap

Best Electric

OWLTRA OW-2 Indoor Electric Mouse Trap Rodent Zapper with Pet Safe Trigger

• Allows you to kill and dispose of mice without seeing them
• An infrared sensor detects pets and kids to protect them from the trap
• No-escape design
• Easy to clean
• Efficient and mess-free

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How to Choose the Right Mouse Traps

The best mouse trap for your situation will depend on many factors. Some of them, including type, ease of use, size, mechanism of elimination, and safety.

Type

Mouse traps come in many types. They could be a snap trap, glue trap, a catch, and release, or an electric trap. These types offer different features and come at different costs too. Some traps are also reusable, while others are single use.

Ease of Use

The best mouse trap should not require a degree in nuclear physics to operate. In fact, with mouse traps, the simpler it is to set up, the more effective. So choose a trap that you can easily set up and operate for the best results.

Size

Some traps are for the smallest mice, while others will even catch something as big as a rat. For mice, the most effective traps are usually ones you can streamline. This is because they tend to run along and hide in tight spaces.

Mechanism of Elimination

Some mouse traps kill the mouse immediately, while others catch and hold them. When choosing them, you need to find which works best for you. If you are squeamish, you probably shouldn’t go for an option that requires you to kill the mouse before disposing of it.

Safety

If you have children and pets, consider this when going for a mouse trap. You want to choose a trap that won’t put them in danger. A snap trap, for example, might be a bad idea in this scenario.

Why Do I Have Mice?

The best explanation is that your house offers two things that mice need most: food and shelter. Mice also tend to come into homes for warmth in the winter months. So one of the ways to prevent an infestation is by ensuring scraps are properly disposed of. You should also put away your food items safely.

Effective Bait Types for Mouse Traps

When choosing a bait for your mouse trap, you might need to study the mice in your home. What food items do they go after the most. Experts also advise homeowners to use peanut butter, soft cheese, and even chocolate as bait.

When Should I Call an Exterminator?

Most of the methods in our review will effectively take care of your mouse problem. Most professionals use one or two of the ways described here. If you don’t see any improvement after trying, you might need to call an exterminator.

The Different Types of Mouse Traps: Pros and Cons Compared

There are many different types of mouse traps available for purchase today. In this review, we mention a few. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these traps can help you better decide which works best for you. So here are the different types of mouse traps with pros and cons.

Snap Trap

This is one of the oldest types of mouse traps and works with a bait and catch mechanism. It usually involves some kind of spring part to snap the mouse when it touches the bait. Some snap traps are powerful enough to kill the mouse immediately, but they could be messy. These traps could also be dangerous to children and pets if left lying about.

Glue Trap

Glue traps are some of the most effective ways of getting rid of mice. They consist of a board with a strong glue that traps the mouse when it goes for the bait. This trap, however, just holds the mice in place, and the homeowner has to figure out how to dispose of it. Most of them are also not reusable.

Electric Trap

Electric traps deliver a shock that kills mice that enter their chamber. Most of these traps use batteries, but they are covered, and the kill is not messy. You might, however, have to buy the battery yourself, and it can be hard to find good ones.

Catch-and-Release

This is the most humane type of mouse trap. It usually has a chamber to catch and detain the mouse or mice. You can then choose to dispose of them far away. It’s the best option for those who do not want to hurt animals. Please note that if not disposed of far away enough, the mice can make their way back into your home.