Humane Mouse trap not catching the mouse

[Deleted User]

You need to find out where they're coming into the house and fill those holes - otherwise your problem will probably come back regardless of the trap type as there is probably a nest nearby. 

I don't think that taking them to some scenic (to a human) locale is any better than releasing them in the garden.

Savvy_Sue

[Deleted User] said:

You need to find out where they're coming into the house and fill those holes - otherwise your problem will probably come back regardless of the trap type as there is probably a nest nearby. 

Indeed: pest controller at work advised that mice can get through any hole as small as a biro. We covered air bricks with very fine mesh panels (have just done a search, and some of what comes up looks far too spaced out to provide any deterrent!). What you're looking for looks more like a tea strainer mesh than the kind of wire you put on a rabbit hutch. Fill any holes with wire wool before finishing off. 

[Deleted User] said:

I don't think that taking them to some scenic (to a human) locale is any better than releasing them in the garden.

If you release them into the garden without blocking the way back into the house, they'll be back. 

Personally I'd get a professional involved, although they will probably only advise on deterrence rather than fitting the mesh etc you need. 

Ganga

Savvy_Sue said:

[Deleted User] said:

You need to find out where they're coming into the house and fill those holes - otherwise your problem will probably come back regardless of the trap type as there is probably a nest nearby. 

Indeed: pest controller at work advised that mice can get through any hole as small as a biro. We covered air bricks with very fine mesh panels (have just done a search, and some of what comes up looks far too spaced out to provide any deterrent!). What you're looking for looks more like a tea strainer mesh than the kind of wire you put on a rabbit hutch. Fill any holes with wire wool before finishing off. 

[Deleted User] said:

I don't think that taking them to some scenic (to a human) locale is any better than releasing them in the garden.

If you release them into the garden without blocking the way back into the house, they'll be back. 

Personally I'd get a professional involved, although they will probably only advise on deterrence rather than fitting the mesh etc you need. 

Would a professional not recommend that the rodent should be dispatched to mouse heaven . 

Savvy_Sue

Ganga said:

Savvy_Sue said:

[Deleted User] said:

You need to find out where they're coming into the house and fill those holes - otherwise your problem will probably come back regardless of the trap type as there is probably a nest nearby. 

Indeed: pest controller at work advised that mice can get through any hole as small as a biro. We covered air bricks with very fine mesh panels (have just done a search, and some of what comes up looks far too spaced out to provide any deterrent!). What you're looking for looks more like a tea strainer mesh than the kind of wire you put on a rabbit hutch. Fill any holes with wire wool before finishing off. 

[Deleted User] said:

I don't think that taking them to some scenic (to a human) locale is any better than releasing them in the garden.

If you release them into the garden without blocking the way back into the house, they'll be back. 

Personally I'd get a professional involved, although they will probably only advise on deterrence rather than fitting the mesh etc you need. 

Would a professional not recommend that the rodent should be dispatched to mouse heaven . 

Quite likely. But you know they'll do it in the most humane way possible, whereas reading earlier posts in the thread (especially from Section62) indicates the problems inherent in NOT so despatching them. 

I'd prefer not to share my house with a mouse. I'll take whatever steps are necessary to achieve that. 

Cherryfudge

@Section62 The assumptions I referred to were the assumptions you persist in making that other people haven't done their research. You have no evidence for that. People are allowed to come to different conclusions about what is right in their situation.

Section62

Cherryfudge said:

Section62  The assumptions I referred to were the assumptions you persist in making that other people haven't done their research. You have no evidence for that.

I'm not sure how you've come to that conclusion, nor how it relates to my post you partially quoted.

As far as I know I hadn't commented on whether or not people have or haven't done their research, prior to my response to your post.  I commented on what was being asserted, and how that differed from industry practice and the advice/guidance of organisations such as Natural England, RSPCA, UFAW, and even PETA.

If someone has done their research and has evidence from a reputable organisation that live trapping and releasing mice in a random bit of hedgerow doesn't cause unnecessary suffering then hopefully we will get to have a look at it.

Cherryfudge said:

People are allowed to come to different conclusions about what is right in their situation.

To an extent.  But their options are constrained by the law.  Whatever they conclude is the right thing to do has to be lawful, which means not causing unnecessary suffering.  Live trapping is fraught with difficulties in ensuring the welfare of the animal, and in compliance with legal obligations.  Which in part is why the RSPCA (et al) rightly highlight how 'humane' traps can be anything but.

GDB2222

I’m being lazy here, but what does the RSPCA recommend? 

Grenage

Rodents are creatures of habit, they know their territory.  Place one far away from its established area and it will most likely starve or be taken by a predator. It's also illegal to release certain species.

Humane traps are a nice idea, but a swift death is likely kinder.  As has already been covered.

I'm reasonably sure the RSPCA will dance a line on humane traps.  I know they suggest snap traps as a kind option.

TELLIT01

Humane traps aren't always particularly humane.  We had a mouse running about so bought one of these traps.  Put it in place, and when we got home it had the mouse.  Unfortunately it had been a hot day and the mouse had died in the trap.  Presumably from the heat.  Not a nice way to go.

Dustyevsky

The problem I had was with the word 'humane,' which suggests that traps that kill are somehow less kind. Live traps  might be regarded as 'kind' but only if the animal is released close to where it's trapped, and quickly. It will still suffer trauma.

Making the house mouse-proof is probably the most 'humane' method of rodent control, but that's not easy if your property happens to be a thatched place with many nooks and crannies, mud walls, and hundreds of years old!