How to Catch a Mouse Without a Trap (Spoiler: You Can’t… But You Can!)
Our marketing guy recently told us that loads of people are searching for “how to catch a mouse without a trap” on Google. And while we love a good challenge, we’ve got to be honest with you: catching a mouse without a trap is basically impossible.
Short of diving onto the floor, going full action-hero mode, and grabbing it with your bare hands—which, by the way, is a terrible idea because mice carry diseases—you’re not going to have much luck.
But, we get it. What most people actually mean when they Google this is:
👉 “How do I catch a mouse without killing it?”
And good news! Humane mouse traps exist, and they work really well. So let’s talk about how you can catch a mouse without a lethal trap and what you should do once you’ve caught one.
Humane Mouse Traps: How They Work
A humane mouse trap is a non-lethal way to catch a mouse. These traps are often called “live traps” or catch and release traps. They work by luring the little critter inside using bait (peanut butter is a winner), then sealing it inside without harming it.
You can either buy a pre-made live trap in your local hardware store, or on Amazon, or you can build your own. There are plenty of humane DIY mouse traps, such as Bucket Traps that, you can learn to make by following a YouTube tutorial. See below.
Note: Do not use a sticky trap if you plan to catch and release the mice. Sticky traps will catch live rodents on a glue board, but you won’t be able to release them from the trap safely, so they will suffer there until deceased. As such, avoid glue traps – they are not humane.
So, You Caught a Mouse… Now What?
First off, do not make it your pet. Seriously. Mice may look cute, but they don’t make great roommates.
Here’s what you should do instead:
Take it FAR away – At least a mile from your home. If you release it too close, it might find its way back—especially since it or one of its relatives already figured out how to get in once before.
Release it in a field or wooded area – Give it a chance to survive somewhere away from houses.
Wash your hands thoroughly – Even though you didn’t touch the mouse directly, mice can carry bacteria and diseases, so hygiene is key.
Figure out how it got in – Because if one mouse got in, others likely can too. Check for entry points and seal them up.
The Best Way to Handle a Mouse Problem
Catching one mouse is great, but what about the rest of its furry little family? Where there’s one, there’s usually more.
If you’ve seen multiple mice or keep catching them over and over again, it’s time to call in the professionals.
At Merlin Environmental, we offer fast, effective, and discreet pest control solutions to stop mice from taking over your premises. Contact us today! We offer nationwide coverage across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
