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Humane Mouse trap not catching the mouse

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 
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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?
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  • 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
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  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 8,697 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
    Yes, I can't think of much that is less humane than leaving an animal somewhere it is likely to starve to death.

  • Section62 said:
    What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
    Yes, I can't think of much that is less humane than leaving an animal somewhere it is likely to starve to death.

    I had a friend who used to do similarly with the cockerels she raised. They had “the freedom of the woods.” However, she chose to breed chickens and no one usually chooses to share their house with rodents.

    "Money will only make you more of what you already are." T. Harv Eker
  • Section62 said:
    What is 'humane' about releasing a mouse in a foreign environment, where it will either die or become some predator's dinner?
    Yes, I can't think of much that is less humane than leaving an animal somewhere it is likely to starve to death.

    This isn't a pet mouse, it is in effect a "wild" animal perfectly capable of foraging for food whatever its environment
  • 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 far
  • Cherryfudge
    Cherryfudge Posts: 12,306 Forumite
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    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'.
    There are a lot of assumptions going on here, and what you don't provide is any sort of alternative.


    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
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    20.5 coupons used in 2020. 62.5 used in 2021. 94.5 remaining as of 21/3/22
  • Section62
    Section62 Posts: 8,697 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    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'.
    There are a lot of assumptions going on here, and what you don't provide is any sort of alternative.


    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.
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