If you’re tired of dealing with mice in your home, it’s time to bring out the big guns… or rather, the humane guns. That’s right, gone are the days of inhumane snap traps and glue traps. These days, you can humanely capture those pesky mice and release them back into the wild (or at least, the nearest park).
For your convenience, we tested 15 different models and selected the 5 best humane mouse traps. We’ve included models that won’t harm the captured rodent in any way. You can opt for either a single-catch model or a multi-catch model for a dense mice infestation. Plus, we’ve chosen models that are made of sturdy aluminum or ABS plastic that mice won’t be able to chew. Based on these, the The Kensizer Animal Humane Live Cage Trap got us more impressed than others.
The Kenizer Live Animal Cage Trap turned out to be our Editor’s Choice as it is equipped with an incredibly sensitive pedal trigger mechanism to lock a mouse at a railway speed and an escape-proof door to keep it secure in a trap till release. There’s a bait hook in a cage, placed just in a right place to trigger the mechanism. The finest wire mesh made of galvanized steel is bite-proof for small animals’ teeth. However, keep in mind that it won’t be suitable for opossums or big squirrels since they can bite through the mesh. The trap has two size options, a smaller trap for mice and a bigger one for rats.
The Kensizer Animal Humane Live Cage Trap stacks up well against other humane traps within its price range like the popular Havahart 1025. The two have a similar design, except the Havahart 1025 is solidly built with steel and has two doors with sensitive triggers for quick, secure trapping. All in all, the Kensizer cage trap is a decent option for the money, as it is lightweight and well-designed.
The CaptSure can be considered to be one of the best humane mouse traps for home use because it is made of plastic and designed to guarantee you won’t come into physical touch with a mouse so it’s safe to use even at home with kids decreasing the risk to be bitten by one of the rodents. Air holes and enough space inside the trap make waiting for a release comfortable. There’s a special compartment for bait which also plays a role of a release door for easy setup and release. It is also pretty easy to clean and can be used multiple times.
CaptSure’s closest competitor must be the Heyouou mouse trap. They are almost identical in design and are within the same price range. They both have a translucent design that allows you to monitor the rat’s capture situation. The only difference between the two traps is that the Heyouou trap has plenty of holes in all directions to prevent the rat from suffocating. All considered, you’d get great value from either options.
The Southern Homewares Humane Mouse Trap stood out due to its design. This trap is made of sturdy and durable aluminum so there is no way to escape for mice. It was smartly designed as it has a see-through window for regular inspecting with no need to open the trap and also it comes rectangular to fit any corner compactly. The trap features no snaping mechanical components to not hurt mice. Instead, its self-closing chamber will ensure mice are captured in the trap while catching other mice at the same time. There are also breathing holes for mice to feel comfortable in it. You don’t need to place bait in it, although we still recommend using it for better results.
Compared to other mouse traps like the Kensizer and CaptSure models on this list, the Southern Homewares mouse trap is the best effective option if you are on a tight budget. It is also a prime consideration if you need a trap that can fit well in a hidden corner in your home or workplace. Of course, it is not as aesthetically pleasing as the CaptSure trap but it gets the job done.
The Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Mouse Trap is a perfect option for those who want deals with a huge mice infestation. Due to its unique design, this trap can automatically reset itself and hold up to 20 mice inside the bucket you set it on. Just make sure you use a sturdy bucket that is hard to flip over. There’s also a special ramp coming with the lid for mice to climb up to the lid where you are supposed to place some bait. As soon as the mice reach the top, the plank will flip over and capture the mice. After that, it resets waiting for other mice to come.
The Flip N side bucket lid mouse trap compares favorably with most conventional mouse traps like the Kensizer cage trap on our list. Its features like automatic reset and pet and kids-friendly design are unmatched. It is a better option than the Kensizer cage trap and other traps on this list if you have small children and pets. It is also better if you have a large mice infestation because it can catch as many as 30 mice or 10 rats.
We liked the Original Mouse Motel due to its reasonable price and cute motel design. This motel trap is spacious enough for mice to feel comfortable while waiting for a release. It has a highly sensitive trigger system with the pressure plate placed further from the door to prevent mice tails from snapping. Plus, the door doesn’t snap but slides down to cause less harm to mice. The tarp is made of ABS recyclable plastic so it’s also eco-friendly cause it releases no toxins. It’s easy to release a mouse and then clean the trap preparing it for the next time.
Just like the Flip N Slide Bucket lid mouse trap above, the Original Mouse motel is a pets-and-kids-friendly mouse trap. It uses a newly improved highly sensitive trigger system that guarantees the capture of even the tiniest mice. Unlike other models with sensitive trigger systems on this list, the Original mouse motel comes with tips and tricks that even your kids can easily follow to trap and release the mice.
When choosing the best humane mouse trap, you need to keep several things in mind – from the materials used to the sizes, the manufacturer provides to meet your needs.
First and foremost, wear gloves! You shouldn’t leave your scent on the traps and bait you use as there’s a huge chance that they will detect your scent and keep themselves away from the trap.
Secondly, place the trap in the right place. Put it where you saw mice last time or where their droppings or the signs of damage are. Use the right bait.
Thirdly, check the traps every once in a while so that the mice are safe and sound if trapped.
Lastly, release a trapped mouse in a park or woods or somewhere away you’re your home (don’t forget the gloves).
One important part of setting up a humane mouse trap is adding bait to it. When using the bait, you lure a mouse to the trap faster and easier. The most common baits are cheese, peanut butter, and pet food. However, you can always experiment and find out what attracts your mice.
We believe these will be one of the most decisive factors when selecting the best humane mice traps. Look for traps that won’t harm a mouse when trapping and closing the entrance door.
For safe release, it is recommended to do it within 100 yards. Use the nearest park or woods, so that they had enough food, water and shelter to settle in it. Make sure you seal all the cracks and holes in your house to prevent them from coming back.
Mice are well-known disease carriers so one of the most important factors to look at when buying a humane tarp for mice is the fact that it is safe for you and your health. Especially when you release mice in the wild, avoid direct contact, wear gloves, don’t touch the wires with bare hands, and use a towel at least. Don’t let the mite you!
After the release, you need to wash the trap. Please, don’t do it in a dishwasher or sink! Use a hose in your garden and some soap. Also, wear rubber gloves when doing it.
The material a humane trap is made of plays a crucial role. When it comes to it there are two options: metal and plastic. In most cases, you’ll find metal options, specifically aluminum. These are harder for mice to chew through and they are also more durable and can be cleaned easily. Though the metal traps already sound like the most effective ones, there are also plastic options that are cheaper. However, mice can make holes in them and find a way through them.
On the market there exist pretty many humane mouse traps and they are designed differently. However, they have the same goal – to capture a mouse without harming it. There are multi-catch traps that are perfect for those who have severe mice infestation. They allow them to enter more than one mouse without releasing and hurting them. However, the majority of no-kill mouse traps will be triggered by a single mouse and keep it captured till you release it.
The size of a humane mouse trap plays a key role in both single and multi-catch traps. For the former, a mouse tail mustn’t be crashed and while it is waiting for release, it feels no discomfort. For the latter, it is significant that the trap isn’t overcrowded and each mouse has enough space.
Besides the fact that humane mouse traps don’t kill these small rodents, they also have other benefits.
Before buying this type of trap, of course, you need to consider the obstacles you face when using it.
If you want to keep mice away, you can also look at other methods, like repelling. We’ve reviewed the best mouse repellents to get rid of mice easily and humanely.
All in all, we have three favorite picks that stand out among others.
The Kensizer Live Animal Cage Trap, our Editor’s Choice, is made of the tiniest wired metal, and it comes with an extremely sensitive mechanism. There are two size options available to fit not only mice but also rats.
The CaptSure Humane Mouse Trap is the Best for Home Use. It features, a two-in-one bait compartment and a release door. It is made of durable plastic with air holes to avoid contact with mice and keep yourself safe even in domestic use.
The Southern Homewares Humane Mouse Trap has the best unique design as it comes in a form of a triangle to fit in any corner. Plus, it is a multi-catch trap with a swing door that allows mice to enter but not to escape.
We hope you were able to find your perfect option in our compilation of the best humane mouse traps.
