Humane and Lethal Rat and Mouse Traps

Editor's Choice Best of Live Capture vs Electric vs Snap Trap vs Glue vs Poison

Jan 18, 2009 Yuen Kit Mun

Some rat traps can be dangerous. Others are claimed to be humane. Here's how the different types stack up.

Rodents aren't just a nuisance. The CDC reports that worldwide, over 35 diseases are spread by rats and mice.

Rat Poison

Rat poison is dangerous and should be avoided if possible.

Advantages

  • Can stay active for months or years.
  • Can be placed in multiple locations.

Disadvantages

  • Can stay active for months or years and be dispersed into the environment.
  • Can be eaten by other animals, pets, children. Animals that eat the dead rats will also be poisoned.
  • Dead rats can be difficult to locate, causing a hard-to-remove stink.
  • Considered inhumane, as rats can take days to die.

Glue Traps

Glue traps are considered inhumane by some and should also be avoided if possible.

Advantages

  • Can be placed in multiple locations.
  • Non-lethal if other animals or children are caught.

Disadvantages

  • Will cause a slow death if trap is not checked regularly.
  • Difficult to release trapped rat (cooking oil works, but is slow).

Snap Traps

These classic spring traps are still in use and have even been upgraded.

Advantages

  • Will only injure, not kill, children and large animals that are caught.
  • Humane, can kill quickly.

Disadvantages

  • Inhumane, sometimes rat is only injured. Traps should be checked regularly so that injured rats can be killed.
  • Sometimes ineffective, rats can eat the bait without getting caught. Some new models have ingenious mechanisms to reduce this.
  • Messy. Unpleasant to remove dead rat. Worse if rat is injured. Some new designs have levers to make setting and removal easier.
  • Can be difficult and dangerous to set, injuring user's fingers.
  • Can injure other animals and children. Some new designs are built into boxes for safety.

Box and Cage Live Capture Humane Traps

Box and cage traps are used to capture rats alive so that they can be released elsewhere. They can also be killed instead (dunking the cage into a bucket of water to drown the rats is one common practice).

Advantages

  • Humane, rat can be released in suitable location.
  • Safe with children and pets.

Disadvantages

  • Trap needs to be checked regularly; otherwise rat can die a slow death.
  • Sometimes ineffective, rats can eat the bait without getting caught. Some new designs, such as tilting floor triggers, are more effective.
  • Rats can be injured by moving parts. Larger traps are safer.
  • Some argue that these traps are stressful and inhumane. Some species cannot survive outdoors and will starve to death after release.

Electrical or Electronic Traps

These work by electrocuting rats that enter.

Advantages

  • Usually effective. As long as rat can be enticed to enter, it is unlikely to escape.
  • Clean kill. No blood or mangled bodies.

Disadvantages

  • Can be dangerous to curious children and pets.
  • Not waterproof.
  • Can be difficult to clean.
  • Can electrocute owner when changing batteries or cleaning. The trap should first be switched off and then discharged by short-circuiting the contacts with a screwdriver.

Is Any Trap Humane?

Animal protection organizations argue that the only humane solution to rodent control is to secure all food and seal buildings:

  • If food is still available, other rats will move in.
  • Even if a rat is quickly and cleanly killed, if it is a nursing rat the children will starve to death.
  • Rats released outdoors may not survive.

Is Trapping Mice the Answer?

Users can report different success rates using the same model of mouse trap. This might depend on local conditions and species of mice.

Individuals will have to decide for themselves the relative danger and cruelty of the different traps, realizing that they are responsible if other animals or children are injured.

It is actually illegal in some places to not get rid of rats because of public health concerns. Local laws should be checked before releasing trapped rats in another area, especially in cities and suburban areas.

Resources

The copyright of the article Humane and Lethal Rat and Mouse Traps in Home Management is owned by Yuen Kit Mun. Permission to republish Humane and Lethal Rat and Mouse Traps in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Traditional Live Capture Rat Cage, vign, stock.xchng Traditional Live Capture Rat Cage
   
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