We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
Humane Mouse trap not catching the mouse

paul2louise
Posts: 2,492 Forumite


I bought 2 humane mouse traps from Amazon. First use trapped a mouse. I took it on a nice drive to the countryside. Following night another visit but the mouse ate the food in the trap but trap didn't go off. It's been the same now for over a week. Mouse goes in the trap but trap doesn't go off. Both traps the same. Friend says maybe it's a small mouse. I have tried different bait, put in back section, on the plate inside. I don't know what to do. I really don't want to use snap traps or poison
2
Comments
-
I wonder if you put something wide or heavy as bait, so the mouse has to pull at it and generally work for its dinner, whether the extra movement might trigger the trap? We've caught a few mice in humane traps and relocated them to distant hedgerows, and very occasionally bait has gone without the trap triggering, but not to the scale yours has.
Could you not reuse the original trap?I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet set 7.5= 12.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, tee shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/222 -
P.S. @liselle recommended I put a small container of bleach in an area where a mouse had been and the mouse has yet to go back in there, so that seems to be an effective deterrent.I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet set 7.5= 12.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, tee shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/220 -
What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
"Money will only make you more of what you already are." T. Harv Eker7 -
Dustyevsky said:What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
1 -
Section62 said:Dustyevsky said:What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
"Money will only make you more of what you already are." T. Harv Eker0 -
Section62 said:Dustyevsky said:What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?3
-
I am not here to discuss the most humane methods, snap trap, poisons or glue. Is any way good for the mouse. It's a field mouse as we live near fields and countryside so before invading my house it must have been able to find food to survive so far3
-
Alfrescodave said:Section62 said:Dustyevsky said:What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?I'm sure people convince themselves of that.In reality it will probably be an animal that has got used to living in close proximity to humans and the sources of food they provide (willingly or not). It may be able to forage and find enough food to sustain itself, but it depends on which random hedgerow it has been dumped into and what food sources are present. Mice in particular make stores of food to see them through times where food is scarce. Starting with zero in the middle of winter makes it about as difficult as it can get, and if it is sucessful at finding food then the question arises about what other wildlife is in the area which now has an active competitor to deal with.And if there really was an abundance of food in the fields it is less likely a 'field mouse' would be invading someone's home looking for food.There's also the issue of disease. Moving wildlife around the countryside - however well meaning - risks spreading disease between populations and species. Releasing any form of wildlife back into the environment is something that should be left to people who understand what the potential consequences are.What the OP does is up to them, but people reading this public forum shouldn't go away from it thinking catching mice and releasing them at a random spot in the countryside is being 'humane'.5
-
Section62 said:There's also the issue of disease. Moving wildlife around the countryside - however well meaning - risks spreading disease between populations and species. Releasing any form of wildlife back into the environment is something that should be left to people who understand what the potential consequences are.What the OP does is up to them, but people reading this public forum shouldn't go away from it thinking catching mice and releasing them at a random spot in the countryside is being 'humane'.
I think a bit of sunshine is good for frugal living. (Cranky40)
The sun's been out and I think I’m solar powered (Onebrokelady)
Fashion on the Ration challenge, 2025: Fabric 2, men's socks 3, Duvet set 7.5= 12.5/68
2024: Trainers 5, dress 7, slippers 5, 2 prs socks (gift) 2, 3 prs white socks 3, tee shirts x 2 10, 6 prs socks: mostly gifts 6, duvet set 7.5 = 45.5/68 coupons
20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/222 -
Cherryfudge said:Section62 said:There's also the issue of disease. Moving wildlife around the countryside - however well meaning - risks spreading disease between populations and species. Releasing any form of wildlife back into the environment is something that should be left to people who understand what the potential consequences are.What the OP does is up to them, but people reading this public forum shouldn't go away from it thinking catching mice and releasing them at a random spot in the countryside is being 'humane'.My comments reflect those of organisations such as the RSPCA and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. Anyone concerned about the validity of any assumptions made is free to do their own research, as well as researching alternative approaches to rodent control.Everyone should also be aware of their legal responsibilities towards animals they have live trapped. The act of keeping a mouse in a live trap, transporting it to a remote site, and then releasing it without regard to its welfare may constitute an offence of causing unnecessary suffering (Animal Welfare Act 2006 (section 4)).People offering advice on this topic need to be careful, as what might seem the most humane way of dealing with rodents can be the opposite. Likewise, although the OP doesn't want to have that discussion, it would be wrong if the issues (and the law) were not pointed out for the benefit of other people reading this thread.If in doubt, call in a professional.3
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 241K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards