As the temperatures drop, this also marks the start of ‘peak rodent season’. The time when mice are in search of warmth, shelter and food — preferably within our homes.
Not only can this lead to an unwanted infestation, but rodents are known to carry and spread a host of diseases, as well as potentially damage your property and structure. That’s why it’s important to first remove the things that attract rats and mice to your home, and put preventative measures in place.
But, while it’s all well and good knowing what you need to buy to prevent mice in my home, what happens once you actually catch a mouse? In fact, this is probably everybody’s dilemma (and my worst nightmare). I ask pest control experts what the best methods are to safely dispose of a mouse — dead or alive. Here’s what they recommend you should do.
Take safety precautions
Before you do anything, always put on protective gloves before handling a mouse trap or mice. “In safely disposing of a dead mouse from a trap, I always recommend that you wear disposable gloves to avoid direct contact with the rodent as they could be carrying bacteria or parasites.” advises Tony King, pest control expert, owner of The Pied Piper.
“My top recommendation is to act quickly, both when disposing of a deceased mouse or releasing a live one, as holding them in the trap for too long can attract other pests or create unpleasant odors.” Also, keep pets and children well away from the trap while you work.
How can I safely dispose of a dead mouse in traditional traps?
Traditional mouse traps are used in most homes to catch mice, and there are two types. Snap traps that work by using a quick-trigger mechanism that closes shut over a mouse’s head, and self-resetting traps, which are similar to the snap trap, but are considered more sanitary to handle.
“Using gloves and tongs (or a shovel), pick the mouse up gently and place it into the first plastic bag (if you used a glue trap, try to avoid pulling the animal off by hand),” recommends Jason Napolski, owner of A-Tex Pest Management.
“Put the trap and mouse into a bag together. Twist and seal that inner bag, then place it into the second bag and seal that one too (double-bagging reduces odor and leakage).
"Put the double-bagged carcass into an outdoor trash container that animals can’t get into or follow your local guidance if your municipality has special rules for animal carcasses. If you’re unsure about local requirements, many areas accept double-bagged small carcasses in regular trash, but some towns ask you to call animal control.”
In addition, ensure all surfaces where the mouse was caught are properly sanitized. “Disinfect the area where the trapped rodent was caught with bleach/water,” adds Cohn. “Once the mouse has been disposed of, make sure to sanitize any soiled objects, including nesting materials you might find, feces, or food it may have come in contact with.”
How can I safely dispose of a live mouse if I use humane traps?
If you’re dealing with a live mouse caught in a humane trap, you’ll need to take extra precautions. “The most secure way to dispose of a live mouse is to release it at least a mile from your house in a wooded or grassy area where it has access to shelter,” advises King.
“The best places to release a live mouse are away from residential neighborhoods, farmland, or other homes where it could become someone else’s problem. Parks, wooded trails, and fields are ideal because they offer food and cover from predators. Just make sure you’re allowed to release animals in that location, as some municipalities have specific regulations about wildlife relocation.”
Again, using gloves, you can release the rodent into the area. “Place the trap on the ground where you want the mouse to go, open the door or lid away from you, step back several feet, and give the animal space to leave on its own,” advises Cohn. “Avoid tipping or shaking the trap, which can injure the mouse. If it doesn’t exit right away, leave the trap in place for 10–15 minutes and distance yourself from it. Never force a mouse out with your hands.”
“After the release, clean the trap with soap and hot water, then disinfect with a diluted bleach solution. Let the trap dry completely before reuse. Wash your hands thoroughly when finished and launder clothes that handle the trap.”
In addition, don’t release the animal onto someone else’s property. However, if you’re unsure about which areas are suitable, your local animal control or wildlife rehab center can advise or even take the rodent for you.
How do you know if you have mice?
If you’re uncertain of pest activity, these are the 7 telltale signs you have mice in your home. However, what if you haven’t yet seen a mouse or any warning signs of droppings?
“Homeowners might hear skittering when mice are on the move or faint gnawing noises coming from cluttered, dark, and hidden spaces, particularly during the night when they’re more likely to be active,” states Baldwin.
"If you’re still hearing this after trying to get rid of mice, then you may still have a problem. Another common sign your methods haven’t worked could be finding droppings or seeing tracks in certain areas of the home, such as cupboards, along walls, attics or draws, or the smell of urine each time you enter the space. You may come across possessions, boxes, furniture, walls or insulation that have visual signs that it’s been chewed or destroyed too.
"Lastly, mice often create nests from shredded paper, pieces of fabric or old plant material by piling them together. If you notice small piles like this around your home, and see that there are tracks or droppings close by, then it’s a sign that you still have a mouse infestation.”
If in doubt, always seek professional advice from a reputable pest control company.
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