Top 5 Mouse Traps, and Choosing the Best One

Inga Cryton

Are you looking for an effective way of eliminating mice and the best mouse traps to use? After much research, some products stand out more than others. And the winner is Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap.

[best_choice asin=”B000LPA2KC” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk” name=”Pest-Stop Sure-Set” subname=”Easy to Set and Empty Plastic Mouse Trap” text=”What I recommend is using a trap that snaps shut when the mouse takes the bait. It’s my personal favourite, and it’s what I use in my own home.”]Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap[/best_choice]

Here I suggest the best products with different brands for your consideration. If you require additional information, just look at the links provided next to each product’s title.

Our Recommended Top 5 Mouse Traps Comparison Table

PREVIEWPRODUCT
Best Choice
Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap review
Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap
  • Snap Trap
  • Quick and Humane

Check Price
People's Choice
The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Traps review
The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Traps
  • Snap Trap
  • For use Indoor and Outdoor

Check Price
Best Budget
Selfset Metal Mouse Trap review
Selfset Metal Mouse Trap
  • Snap Trap
  • Traditional, British-made

Check Price
Best Multicatch
Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap review
Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap
  • Covered Trap
  • Hold up to 10 mice at one time

Check Price
Best Electronic
Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse Killer review
Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse Killer
  • Electronic Trap
  • Kills 50 mice per set of batteries (4 AA)
  • Safe around children and pets

Check Price

In this article, I am going to be reviewing some of the best mouse traps available in the UK.

This review only covers the most popular traps that are currently on sale. There are many types of traps available to the consumer, and I have only reviewed what is most popular.

I hope you find this article helpful when deciding which option will work best for your situation, whether it’s a home or business environment that needs dealing with. There are many factors involved in choosing just one single trap from all those currently on sale to consumers right now, so please read through my review carefully as there may be one model more suitable than another depending on the size of mouse infestation problem you face at home or office building where mice reside/have been spotted inside premises.

5 Best Mouse Traps Reviewed

Here is a run-down of our 5 top mouse traps picks for the following 5 categories:

  1. Disposable/reusable. Want the choice of a simple throw-away versus a use-again model? Of course. Who doesn’t?
  2. Safety and ease of use. Simplicity and safety should always be number one priorities!
  3. Affordable. When you have to de-mouse a whole house, the price tag really does start to matter.
  4. No-touch, no-view. After all, who wants to see a dead mouse or get one’s fingers all over it?
  5. Electrocution. An innovative, humane, and very effective way to rid yourself of rodents.

That’s a basic introduction, but here are the details of which mousetrap wins in each category and how to use it:

 

1. Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap – Best Mouse Traps for Home (Editor’s Choice)

[amazon_item asin=”B000LPA2KC” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk”]PEST-STOP Sure-Set Mouse Trap[/amazon_item]

After having dealt with mice for so long, it has become clear to me that there are a few things you should know before picking out your mouse trap:

The first thing is that all traps work – but not all traps work well. For example, some traps rely on food to attract hungry mice, while others use bait like cheese or peanut butter to lure them in and then snap shut when they try to eat the bait. The issue with these types of traps is that if you’re using them indoors (which most people do because they don’t want dead rodents lying around their house) then sooner or later you’re going to end up with a trap full of maggots. Yuk!

What I recommend is using a trap that snaps shut when the mouse takes the bait – like this one from Pest-Stop: The Sure-Set Mouse Trap.

It’s made of plastic, so it’s easy to clean, and it’s also very easy to set and empty. The best part, though, is that the mouse cannot take the bait without triggering the trap. This means there is no chance of it getting away or of you having to touch a dead mouse. And because it works so quickly and humanely, there is no mess or fuss involved. So if you’re looking for an effective and efficient way to deal with mice, try this one.

The next thing you need to know is that there are two kinds of mouse traps: lethal and live catch. Lethal traps, like the Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap above, kill mice using a powerful snap mechanism – usually killing them instantly.  On the other hand, live catch traps either use bait or an attractant they can smell to lure them inside where they then get stuck until someone comes along and empties it for them (or not if nobody notices). The benefit of these types of traps means that you don’t have dead mice everywhere which could be smelly as well as dangerous as some people may want to run away from such a creature just by looking at it! Another plus is that you can release the mouse far away from your home, so it doesn’t come back.

The downside of course is that some people may find the whole ‘catching’ process a bit distressing, especially if the mouse is struggling or fighting to get free. So if you’re squeamish about such things, then I suggest using a lethal trap instead.

  • Easy to clean and set.

  • No chance of the mouse getting away, or you’re having to touch a dead mouse.

  • You’ll never have a gross, smelly mess again.

How to Use

As for where to place them, try and think like a mouse! Mice like to travel along walls and edges, so try and put your traps in those areas. You can also try putting them near where you’ve seen the mice or near their droppings, as they’ll leave behind clues as to where they’re hiding.

Lastly, one thing to consider when buying a mouse trap is how many traps you need and where you’re going to put them. If you only have one or two mice then a single trap will do the trick – but if there are more then you’ll need multiple traps as well as bait stations (more on those later).

So, now that you know all this, which trap should you buy?

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, quick, and humane trap, then I’d recommend the Pest-Stop Sure-Set Mouse Trap.

It’s my personal favourite, and it’s what I use in my own home. But if you’re after something with a bit more of a ‘kill’ factor, then go for the classic Selfset Metal Snap Trap.

Either way, make sure you prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario – catching mice. It can get a bit gross, but it’s all part of being a homeowner!

Pros
  • It’s easy to use.
  • There is no chance of the mouse getting away or of you having to touch a dead mouse.
  • It’s made of plastic, which makes it easily cleaned and one less thing for you to worry about.
  • The snap mechanism is powerful enough that you’ll never have a live rodent in your house again – unless, perhaps, they escape but even then they would be killed on impact with something hard.
  •  In terms of being humane – this traps gets top marks as well as being environmentally friendly too!
Cons
  • Costs money.
  • Need to be placed in an area where the mice are travelling along the edges of walls.
  • Could run out of bait.
 

2. The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Traps – Best Mouse Traps for Kitchen (People’s Choice)

[amazon_item asin=”B005838M7W” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk”]The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Traps[/amazon_item]

Let’s say you don’t want to keep buying new traps just to throw them away or spend a real lot on the trap you buy. But safety and ease of use are top concerns to you.

In that case, The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Trap is an excellent choice. It fits perfectly in tight spaces.

These are the best mouse traps in the UK. I know this because I have used them myself, and they work like a dream, every time. They are an effective, humane way to control mice in your home without using poison or other harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to humans and pets alike. The Big Cheese offer two powerful pre-baited traps that are ready to use right out of the package with no assembly required – just one touch is needed to set these bad boys up.

Captured mice can easily be disposed of by clicking on them for easy disposal – perfect if you’re squeamish about handling dead rodents!

These ultra power mouse traps also come with a durable design suitable for outdoor use so you never have to worry about pesky mice again.

Plus, the traps are easy to clean for re-use – perfect if you’re looking for a long-term mouse solution. Trust me when I say that these are the best mouse traps on the market today and will get the job done every time. Give them a try!

  • Catch mice effectively.

  • Easy to dispose of the captured mouse.

  • Feel like you’re doing your part in protecting the environment.  No need for toxic chemicals!

How to Use

The best way to use Ultra Power Mouse Traps is as follows:

  1. Open the trap and put it flat on the surface where you want to place it.
  2. Pick up one of the pieces of cheese and place it in the T-shaped opening at the top of the trap.
  3. Position two pieces of cheese parallel to each other so that they are not touching but can be seen from inside the trap.
  4. Close and lock the trap door and lay over a newspaper or trash bag outside to catch mouse droppings and send for safe disposal.

If you’re looking for a humane, easy-to-use home for your mice problem – then The Big Cheese Ultra Power Mouse Traps should be your first choice. They’re the best mouse traps on the market and will get rid of those pesky mice for good!

Pros
  • Easy clean traps.
  • Professional quality products you can trust.
  • Trap clicks open for easy disposal.
  • Use indoors or outdoors.
Cons
  • The trap is only good for catching one mouse at a time.
 

3. Selfset Metal Mouse Trap – Best Budget Mouse Trap

[amazon_item asin=”B00BAVOWWA” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk”]Selfset Metal Mouse Trap[/amazon_item]

For those looking for a very cheap but still effective (old school style) mousetrap, Selfset is our pick for the best in this category.

The Selfset Metal Mouse Trap, specifically, is easier to set without accidentally setting it off than many of its competitors. Yet, it’s sensitive enough that mice have a hard time stealing the bait.

This trap has many benefits that make it a great choice for trapping mice. It’s durable, reusable, made with galvanised metal which lasts longer than other materials; plus easy to set- just use your thumb! This mouse killer trap is perfect for indoor or outdoor use in sheds, outbuildings, garages or barns as well as on farms or commercial premises. The self-setting trap has a hairbreadth sensitivity which means as soon as the mouse steps on it, it will trigger and catch/kill the rodent.

The traditional British made metal mouse killer is ideal for those who prefer buying locally produced goods like this reusable kill trap.

Pros
  • Durable and reusable – once you’ve caught a mouse, it’s ready to be used again.
  • Traditional British made metal mouse killer trap has been around for over 70 years!
  • Made of galvanised metal which lasts longer than other materials
Cons
  • The hair breadth sensitivity doesn’t always work for this trap, meaning it will sometimes not catch the mouse.
  • Occasionally found to be missing springs.
  • Difficult to reset trap.
 

4. Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap – Best Disposable or Reusable Humane Mouse Trap to Use Around Pets

[amazon_item asin=”B000YPTFRK” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk”]Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap[/amazon_item]

This trap can be reused or disposed of as you see fit: both the design and the price tag allow for this versatility. The Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap can catch and hold up to 10 mice at a time – perhaps, outperforming flesh-and-bone cats?

The mice smell something tasty and go in, get caught behind the cleverly designed trap door, and stay waiting for you to get around to freeing them (somewhere sufficiently far from home.)

This trap doesn’t even have to be set, just placed. Thus, it’s about as easy to use as you can get. It has two trap doors, one on each side of the box.

The Multicatch Mouse Trap is a humane and effective way to deal with your mice problem. It’s easy to use because it doesn’t require bait or poisons. The trap design means you can catch up to 10 mice at one time without harming them, as the trap has multiple entry points for an increased catch rate. The clear plastic lid allows you to see inside the trap, which is useful if you’re monitoring the situation from afar and need reassurance that all is going well. There are extra ventilation points built into the design of this mouse trap to reduce stress on captured animals – a high-quality feature not found in many other traps available today!

Pros
  • Humane, no bait or poisons required.  No harm to captured mice.
  • Easy to use and low maintenance – just set it up and forget about it!
  • Clear plastic lid for convenient monitoring – view inside the trap from a distance.
Cons
  • The Multicatch Mouse Trap is not designed to catch rats or squirrels, meaning it’s best suited for dealing with mice problems.
 

5. Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse Killer – Best Electronic Mouse Traps

[amazon_item asin=”B000FII3YM” tag=”pestkill-21″ locale=”co.uk”]Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse Killer[/amazon_item]

If you’re looking for an [link_webnavoz]electric mouse trap[/link_webnavoz] and you don’t want to build it yourself, you really can’t do better than Pest-Stop.

It runs on 4 AA batteries, not on an outlet and plug, so you can place it anywhere that mice might be likely to find it. It uses a “smart circuit” to detect when a mouse ventures inside the “black box of death.”

It comes with an auto-safety switch to protect kids and pets, who already can’t get inside to activate the trap anyway. And its interior design prevents mice from getting out during the 5-seconds max they have to live after the initial shock.

If we were asking what’s the most fun mousetrap to use, I’d say it was found in an old game by the name of Mouse Trap.

But as to the best overall mouse trap for catching mice, my personal favourite is the Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse Killer, for the following very good reasons:

  • Mechanical failure or missing the mouse or the right part of the mouse are never an issue. Zap and dead. That’s it.
  • They are small enough you can place them anywhere.

  • The batteries last long since it only takes a little power per zap. So the trap can kill a lot of mice before you even have to change its batteries.
  • There’s no mess, and the mouse is inside so you don’t see it till you dump it out and then put the trap back in position.

It is a humane way of killing mice that is also safe around children and pets because it uses electricity instead of poison or traps. This product has four AA batteries, which can kill up to 50 mice before needing new ones! It features an indicator light that will let you know when your mouse trap requires more power, but you may never need more power with this product since it works so quickly and efficiently!

Finally, the best part about this product is how easy it is to clean. There is no blood or mess left behind, so you can easily dispose of the mouse without any hassle.

Pros
  • Humane way of killing mice.
  • Safe around children and pets.
  • No more worrying about the mess left behind by a mouse trap!
Cons
  • Expensive.
  • It may take too long for the mouse to die.

What is the Best Mouse Trap in [current_date format=”Y”]? – Your Expert Buyer’s Guide

When it comes to mouse traps, you’ll find that the store is full of all manner of contraptions claiming to be the best. And there are also a seemingly endless number of DIY mouse traps you can read about online.

Many of these traps, of course, work quite well. And some work better than others. And certain traps work better in one situation as opposed to another or with one mouse as opposed to his more intrepid, cheese-stealing brother.

Additionally, even when both traps work, some people prefer a live-catch or more humane trap, while others are intent on killing mice instead of going the catch and release route.

Read on to find guidance in working your way through this “mouse maze” of options so you can find the trap that works best for you!

I Need Good Mouse Traps That Work

Nothing can be more frustrating to a rodent-beleaguered human than to keep setting mouse traps only to catch no mice. Waiting for days and weeks on end with no results is certainly depressing.

And just catching a mouse tail or whisker now and then both “tortures” the mice and accomplishes nothing.

It’s worth investing more in mouse traps that actually work!

Everyone wants to save money, but if you need to pay a little bit more to get a mousetrap that works, that’s a worthwhile expenditure!

Best to Use

The old-fashioned snap traps can still work, but they have a higher failure rate than many of the more modern innovations. The best mouse trap for you to use is the one that catches the most mice the fastest with the least amount of effort on your part.

[link_webnavoz]Using glue traps for mice can be quite effective[/link_webnavoz], but they are basically a one-time-use instrument of death. And they are probably the most painfully cruel of all trap options.

The best humane trap to use will have the following three characteristics:

  • It will kill mice quickly and painlessly, whether by electric shock or sudden mechanical pressure at just the “right” location. Or, it will catch mice and not kill them at all.

  • If it kills, it won’t splatter blood, guts, and germs all over; if it holds mice, it will allow them plenty of air to breathe and some poison-less bait to nibble on while awaiting transport.

  • It will make disposal of the body or release of the live mouse simple and easy, without requiring you to actually touch the mouse.

To find out the best humane mouse trap, [link_webnavoz]go here[/link_webnavoz].

For Home

In the home, especially one with kids and pets, you not only need a mousetrap that works but a safe one.

Pest-Stop Electronic Mouse KillerMouse bait stations are one of the best mouse trap types for the home because the bait, while poison, is deep inside the trap where only mice can get to it. And a key can be used to lock the trap shut or unlock it to remove any dead mice.

But electric-shock black box mouse traps are also safe. You might think that an electric trap wouldn’t be very safe, but this one runs off a small battery that delivers just enough power to zap mice dead on the spot. And all of this zapping is restricted to a small area fully enclosed inside the little black box (Pest-Stop is a good brand for this type of trap.)

What Kind of Snap-trap Injuries are Possible?
Old fashioned snap traps still certainly have their place, but if one goes off on you while you set it or on your child or pet who plays with it (or on your toe if you hit it barefoot in the dark), an injury will occur. Heavy bruising is almost certain. Bleeding and bone dislocation or fracture are possible. Other trap types are generally safer, especially if traps are to be set in areas people/pets will frequent.

Live-catch traps can also be good for home use. And there are numerous varieties of these to choose from. But the old-fashioned snap-trap and sticky glue traps are actually among the least safe to use in homes with kids and pets.

For Small Mice

The size of your trap needs to match the size of your rodent. That’s why rat traps are so much bigger and heavier duty than mouse traps. And that’s why traps for mice vary in size too.

Most traps target “medium-sized mice.” Any smaller trap will do better with smaller mice, but here is one prime resource for mini-mice: Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap.

Pest-Stop Multicatch Mouse Trap

We have seen that there are a great variety of mouse trap types and brands on the market today and that not everyone will prefer the same trap.

There are different traps for different people (and mice). But you do well to explore the full panorama of options before you pay up for your mousetrap of choice. Why waste money on the wrong trap because you didn’t do your homework?

Frequently Asked Questions

Do mice learn to avoid traps?

Mice are surprisingly smart. Their sense of smell is thought to be three times more sensitive than that of humans, and they especially dislike the smell of urine. If mice get a whiff that we have been around a trap, they will likely avoid it in the future before even stepping foot on it.

Additionally, studies are noting that mice avoid traps where dead mice left inside have rotted over time, so if you want their traps to work for you in the long run as well as the short term, try not to leave corpses around them for too long!

Where to place mouse traps?

The placement of mouse traps is a major factor in the success of any extermination. If you are interested in trapping mice, then there will be two main areas that they frequent when foraging.

One place to consider using a trap is near the area where their food sources are located and used- pet food bowls, cupboards with cereal grains or nuts, garage shelves with pet foods or lawn seed bags, etc.

Another good spot would be where their nesting activity happens, so look for an empty box or houseplants next to walls and under objects on furniture, as well as small particles of bark and sticks near houses (food and shelter).

  • In residential buildings, traps need to be placed close together if the population is low; about 2-10 feet apart in the area that has the highest mouse activity and food sources. Along edges is helpful because mice tend to travel along with them when they're moving from one environment to another.
  • In commercial buildings, it's a good idea to place traps in areas with high mouse activity and food sources. For example, traps should be set next to the walls where rubbish cans are stored or near the kitchen area. It can also be advantageous to do some control checks outside those areas (such as setting a trap by an entrance door) because often doors will provide plenty of entry for entering mice but not their exit.
How to catch a mouse that avoids traps?

The answer can be very broad, but here are a few things to consider.

  • Firstly, mice are primarily nocturnal - they prowl at night and nest during the day. This explains why people often trap them with fruit-flavoured traps at night rather than the typical cheese or peanut butter bait: mice associate strong scents with daytime rather than nighttime.
  • Secondly, even those that do enter traps initially seem to have a remarkably fast habituation period for new sets of smells, a single lure is probably sufficient for trapping purposes in most cases.
  • There's also evidence that mouse populations persistently avoid well-used nesting sites (perhaps due to the familiarity) so it may be prudent to change locations on occasion when attempting capture.

So how do these clever creatures avoid traps? It turns out that there are many strategies that mice employ such as rolling with a ball or piece of paper, sniffing for danger upwards and downwards with quivering noses (they can also hear noises from afar), exploring by nibbling at things in their environment (often ending up on top of the trap). They balance themselves on large objects like boxes or chairs, so they can lift their tail and avoid the trap.

Notice that a lot of the things above sound rather familiar? This is because they are all aspects of common human behaviours as well...and also strategies used in avoiding hazards like predators or other dangers. In this way, it is quite interesting how nature has exploited these mechanisms to help mice roam around and survive without getting caught by humans!

Hopefully, you'll think about how easy it would be to make a better mouse trap with some of these tips!

How many mouse traps do I need?

There's no way to answer this question without knowing how many rodents are in the house.

The best thing to do is to place as many traps as you think necessary, but at least three-snap or glue traps per rodent. While we can't give an exact number of traps, putting out at least three-snap or glue traps should be a good first step!

You must carefully monitor these traps and remove any captured animals each day. Place them in a plastic bag and bury them deep into the soil that has been treated with insecticide. Also, make sure to wear rubber gloves while handling these corpses because they may carry diseases such as rabies which can be transmitted this way.

It is not recommended to buy too many traps because it will encourage the rodents to relocate.

Conclusion

When it comes to getting rid of pesky mice, the best mouse traps for UK homeowners are not always easy to find. Luckily, we’ve done all the work for you and compiled a list of five great options that will help take care of your problem quickly and humanely.

The first step is deciding what type of trap you want: lethal or live catch? Once you decide on which one works best for your situation, keep in mind where these traps should be placed – areas where mice like travelling along walls or edges. Don’t forget about bait stations too!

Remember, if there’s more than one rodent at play, then buy multiple traps as well as some extra bait just in case things run out fast. So don’t let those little rodents getaway, choose the best mouse trap for your home and put an end to them once and for all!

About the author

Inga Cryton is a pest control expert based in Wichita, Kansas, with a passion for helping others protect their homes. Through PestKill.org, she shares effective and humane pest management strategies for a variety of critters.

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