3 Good Alternatives to Glue Traps for Mice

When there’s mouse activity on a property, people turn to mouse traps to eliminate the rodents. These devices come in different types that are used for different situations. Most homeowners avoid using glue traps even though they’re often advertised as easy and toxic-free ways to get rid of mice.

So what are 3 good alternatives to glue traps for eliminating mice at home? Glue boards are one of the most dangerous and cruelest types of mouse trap because they cause a slow, painful, and inhumane death for the rodent. If you’re looking for better and more humane ways to eliminate the pesky mice at home, other options like snap traps, live traps, and electric traps are the best alternatives. 

Learn More: How to Keep a Mouse Trap Stationary

The Problem with Using Glue Traps for Mice

Mice are one of the most common household pests that infest American homes. According to the National Pest Management Association, about 21 million Americans find mice and rats nesting in their homes during winter. Since these filthy rodents are the cause of many infectious diseases and structural damages, it’s important to get rid of them immediately.

Some homeowners prefer using glue boards in their homes because they’re non-toxic and easy to install. But many animal rights groups and organizations advocate against the use of these mouse traps because they don’t instantly kill the rodent. Mice stuck on sticky traps take several hours or days before dying of suffocation, dehydration, or starvation. 

How Glue Traps Work

Glue traps are installed on the floor and in places where mice frequently travel. They blend into the floor so the house mouse won’t get suspicious and walk right into it. Once the rodent gets stuck, it won’t be able to free itself from the extremely sticky adhesive. Rodents eventually suffocate to their slow death, which usually takes several hours or days after they get caught. 

Why You Should Stop Using Them

Glue traps are cheap, easy to use, and non-toxic which is why they seem like a good solution to mouse problems at home. However, pests actually suffer more when they get stuck in a glue trap than any other type of rodent trap. Here are 4 reasons why homeowners should stop using glue traps at home: 

1. They Don’t Work in Moist and Dusty Areas

Dust and water significantly reduce the stickiness of the adhesive used in glue boards. Dust makes the glue muddy and dry, preventing it from holding the trapped mouse tightly. On the other hand, moisture loosens the glue and makes it easier for the mouse to escape.

2. They Don’t Solve the Rodent Problem

While they’re effective in killing rodents, glue traps don’t exactly address the root of the mouse problem or prevent these pests from returning. They only lessen the mouse population, but other IPM-based solutions should still be performed to take care of the rodent problem for good.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) treatments use different corrective and preventative pest control measures while keeping humans and the environment safe. This pest control technique combines chemical, cultural, and biological practices to come up with the most effective way to eliminate pests for good.

3. They’re an Extremely Cruel Way to Die

What most glue trap manufacturers fail to mention is that their products don’t provide a quick death to the trapped mouse. These animals take hours or days before they die of suffocation, dehydration, starvation, or exhaustion. Most of them also cry loudly in pain or bite their limbs to free themselves.

Seeing torn limbs and dead mice in a glue trap is traumatic for many people, which is why they don’t use this kind of mouse trap. Pets and children might also play with the stuck mouse on the glue board, which only exposes them to diseases and injuries.

4. Curious Children and Pets Might Get Stuck

Since glue boards are usually placed on the floor, it’s easy for pets and children to be curious and get stuck on them. They might even tear off a part of their skin or fur if the glue trap is forcefully removed. Cats stuck in large glue boards need veterinary help and surgery to correctly remove the mouse trap from their body.

Removing the glue board takes a lot of time, effort, and patience, but here’s how you can do it at home:

• Pour cooking oil on the skin where the glue trap is stuck. Gently massage the skin to loosen the glue. This usually takes a few minutes, but it’s crucial to patiently wait for it to work.
• Once the pet or child is free from the glue board, clean the area with clean water and soap.
• Apply more cooking oil on the skin to remove the glue residue. Rub the skin with a dry cloth to take off the softened glue. 

3 Alternatives to Glue Traps and How to Use Them

While glue traps are quite effective in eliminating mice at home, many homeowners prefer more humane ways to kill mice. For those who want to avoid using glue traps at home for different reasons, here are some of the best alternatives to try: 

1. Snap Traps

Snap traps are the old-fashioned way to catch and kill mice quickly. They’re effective mouse traps that use a strong snapping force to trap the mouse after it attempts to take the bait. They also come in different kinds, but it’s best to use a model with a plastic base. Wooden snap traps are much cheaper, but they’re only good for one-time use.

When using snap traps, it’s also important to consider which bait to use. Food baits like peanut butter, chocolates, meat, and pet food work well, but homeowners may also use nesting baits and specialty baits. 

Pros 

• Quickly reduces the population of mice in a property
• Comes in reusable models (the scent of mice from reused snap traps attracts more mice)
• Safe to use in areas where rodenticides can’t be sprayed

Cons 

• Its effectiveness depends on the trapping strategy used (placement, number of snap traps in an area, and type of bait used)
• Must be placed out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidents
• Trapped mice and other bigger animals may drag it away if the base isn’t secured in place
• Needs to be manually reset if they’re incorrectly triggered 

3 Best Snap Traps 

1. Trapper Hidden Kill Mouse Trap – This no-see, no-touch model allows homeowners to get rid of the dead mice without having to touch the carcass. It also has a two-way entry that traps baited mice from different directions. The sleek design is also perfect for discreet placements.

2. Acmind Mouse Trap – This reusable mouse trap has a plastic base that’s washable. It won’t leave stains and foul odors on the trap. The Acmind mouse trap also claims to catch even small mice, which makes them a great choice for DIY mouse control at home.

3. Tomcat Press ‘N Set Mouse Trap – Tomcat is a trusted manufacturer of high-quality mouse traps, which is why homeowners rely on this snap trap to effectively catch mice. It features a sensitive trigger for trapping mice and a grab tab for quick and easy disposal of the dead mouse. 
4. Live Traps

A live trap is also known as a catch-and-release trap. They’re the most humane way to eliminate mice because they won’t involve killing the animal. Once the mouse is trapped inside the device, it’ll be released into the wild or another location far from the house. Live traps come in single-door traps, rear-door traps, and multiple-capture traps. 

Pros

• This method is both animal and environment-friendly
• Safe to use in kitchens and other areas of the house where rodenticide is discouraged

Cons

• The rodent might just return to the house if they’re released too near
• Some states prohibit letting go of live animals on public lands because they might create a problem for farmers and other people 

3 Best Live Traps

1. Catcha 2 Piece Humane Smart Mouse Trap – This reusable humane mouse trap comes with a pack of two units. It has a spring door mechanism that closes the chamber once the mouse gets inside. The door won’t easily open until the homeowner decides to release the mouse. This live trap is also easy to clean and reset.

2. Victor Humane Live Mouse Trap – This multi-catch trap holds up to 4 mice at a time. It’s a great pick for people who easily freak out when they see a mouse because of its no-see design. Trapped mice might get stressed and resort to fights and cannibalism, so make sure to frequently check them.

3. Tomcat Single Catch Live Mouse Trap – This simple, all-black humane trap from Tomcat effectively catches one mouse at a time. It’s also designed to keep users from seeing the mouse inside. Choose this type of live trap if you’re looking for an easy to set and release one. 
4. Electric Traps

These traps use a bait to lure unsuspecting mice in and zap them with a quick, high-voltage electric shock. Most electric trap models come in no-touch and no-see disposal features. They’re also designed to keep the users safe from accidentally electrocuting themselves. 

Pros

• Features a light or other kinds of signal to indicate whether a mouse was caught
• Provides a quick and humane kill for mice
• Doesn’t have sensitive triggers, which makes it easy to set 

Cons 

• Larger and more expensive than most types of mouse traps, but guarantees quick results
• Works better in places with few rodent populations
• Most models should only be used indoors 

3 Best High-Voltage Traps

1. PestZilla 1 Humanitarian Control Zap Trap – This useful electric mouse trap only needs AA-size batteries and mouse bait to attract mice and kill them with a 7000-voltage shock. It also has a pull-out container that allows users to throw away the dead mouse without touching it.

2. Rat Zapper RZC001-4 – This simple electric trap works well for both mice and rats. It’s also powerful enough to kill up to 100 mice with just four batteries. The shocking strike of this mouse trap works for two full minutes to ensure that the mouse won’t restart its heart after the initial attack.

3. Victor Electronic Mouse Trap M250S – This electric trap works just like others when it comes to eliminating pesky rodents at home, but it’s designed to be safely used around children and pets. It’s also reusable and kills up to 60 rodents before running out of battery. 

Learn More: Are Mouse Traps Harmful to Humans?

Eliminate Pesky Mice at Home With Pinnacle Pest Control

Although they’re effective in reducing the population of mice at home, mouse traps won’t solve the root of infestations. It’s still better to rely on pest management professionals like Pinnacle Pest Control to get rid of the pesky mice for good.

If you’re suspecting mouse activity in your home, don’t hesitate to contact us for effective IPM-based pest control solutions. Call us now to get a free quote.