Rodents are notorious for spreading bacteria and other pathogens around your home and food. From sneaking through your pantry to burrowing through your walls, these pests can cause much damage.
But what’s the best option to eliminate them once they infest your home? Mouse glue traps are a popular choice when these tiny rodents invade but are they the right method for you?
Check out our blog, where we’ll tell you everything you need to know about sticky mouse traps and if they’re worth your time!
What are Glue Traps?
As their name suggests, glue traps are small devices covered with a powerful, sticky adhesive. Try placing your finger on one of these traps, and you’ll have difficulty getting it unstuck!
Glue traps typically have a plastic base with a thick layer of clear glue coating the top. Because of the type of adhesive used, tiny pests like insects and rodents become trapped whenever they run over the surface.
While a popular option for rats and mice, glue traps are also often used for indoor insects like spiders and roaches. Because they tend to forage when people aren’t around, sticky traps catch the pests you don’t see.
Like many other pest control products, you can purchase these options at gardening centers, supermarkets, and hardware stores. You can even find these products for sale on online retailers.
Pros of Mouse Glue Traps
Unless you’re dealing with large mice or rats, the sticky glue substance should keep the pest in one location until you’re ready to dispose of it.
Unlike mouse poison, glue traps won’t eliminate the animal outright. Many glue traps don’t come with pesticide or bait and only secure the mouse to the plastic or cardboard product. When using poisons, you risk the mouse scurrying off and dying in an inaccessible place.
These mouse traps also have the benefit of your choice of location. When you place a sticky trap down, it will probably be right where you left it, regardless of the mouse attached. Typically, these options render the mouse completely immobile so they won’t drag the trap around.
Plus, they are non-toxic, so you won’t have to worry about your children or pets accidentally consuming mouse or rat poison.
They are relatively easy to use too. All you have to do is unpackage the trap and place it wherever you’ve spotted mice.
Cons of Mouse Glue Traps
While helpful, these products do have their downsides. While getting rid of your rodent infestation is at the top of your mind, you should consider the potential disadvantages of the traps.
Safety Concerns
Because of the incredibly sticky adhesive, anything that comes in contact with it will be stuck. If your furry friends accidentally interact with the trap, you may have to cut it out of their hair if other removal options don’t work.
Ripping the trap off your skin could pull hair out or cause abrasions, so always take care when removing these traps and placing them around your home.
Because these pests may be stuck on glue traps for some time, they will urinate and defecate on the product and possibly the surrounding area. Mice can spread disease with their waste, and you may fall ill handling the trap afterward.
Handling Caught Rodents
The main con of mouse glue traps is their impact on the mice in your home. Once ensnared in the gluey substance, the mice don’t die immediately. Instead, they’re stuck to the trap until you remove them, or they die.
On the one hand, you’ll be stuck with a live mouse and then have to decide what to do with it! We don’t recommend disposing of the live mouse in your trash. Not only will it remain alive, but the trap could potentially ensnare other wild animals once thrown away.
Mice aren’t quiet creatures, either. Leaving the mouse stuck to the trap will make them squeak and squeal until they’re released. If mice already keep you awake at night, this option may not help you regain those missed hours of sleep.
Instead of throwing the trap away with the mouse, you can always dissolve the glue with cooking or baby oil. It doesn’t matter which product you choose, as any oily liquid will break down the glue’s properties and free the mouse.
Keep in mind that the mouse may reenter your home and wreak havoc once again once let loose. Many states prohibit releasing animals like mice away from your property, so you’ll be stuck with the pest.
Alternatively, you could manually eliminate the mouse, but this option isn’t always for the faint of heart. If a hands-on elimination isn’t your style, you can add poison to the trap, but there’s no guarantee that the pest will have time to eat before being trapped.
Mouse glue traps are considered inhumane by some due to the stress the animal experiences before it dies. When deciding on the right pest control option, consider these benefits and drawbacks and assess your current situation.
Are There Other Alternatives?
If mouse glue traps aren’t for you, there are other options you can try to get rid of mice or even prevent them from invading your home. Loaded spring traps instantly eliminate rodents, and many modern products can limit your exposure to the pest.
Here are some other methods:
- Never leave open food out
- Patch holes where mice enter
- Secure your food in tamper-proof containers
- Clean up crumbs and food in your kitchen and other areas
- Seal up any damages, cracks, or crevices outside your home
- Soak cotton balls in peppermint essential oil or create an essential oil spray
If you’re still struggling with rodents after tiring everything or just want a fool-proof solution, proof. Pest Control can help!
Never worry about a mouse or rat infestation with proof. on your side! We take the guesswork out of pest control by assigning trained technicians to inspect and treat your home with our proven pest control methods.
Click here to complete our online form and schedule your next pest control appointment!