How to Safely Get Mice & Rats Off of Glue Traps

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Learn how to dispose of a mouse in a sticky trap
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Sticky traps, or glue traps, are an inhumane way to catch mice, rats, and other rodents. If you find a live mouse stuck in a sticky trap, it’s best to remove it as soon as possible so it doesn’t suffer. For this article, we interviewed pest control specialist Chris Parker to teach you all the steps to safely remove a live mouse from a sticky trap. Plus, learn how to humanely kill a mouse when necessary, how to keep rodents out of your house, and answers to other common questions about glue traps.

How to Get Mice Off of Glue Traps

  1. Put on a pair of gloves and place the trapped mouse inside a container so it can’t escape.
  2. Lay a towel over the mouse’s head and gently hold it in place.
  3. Dip a cotton ball or cloth into vegetable oil and dab it on the areas the mouse is stuck.
  4. Wash any remaining glue and oil off the mouse with a warm, damp cloth.
  5. When the mouse is free, release it at least 2 miles away from your home.
Section 1 of 4:

Removing a Live Mouse from a Sticky Trap

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  1. Rodents can carry dangerous diseases and transmit them to humans. To protect yourself from bites, scratches, and contamination, Parker recommends “wearing very thick gloves [because rodents] have very strong teeth.” Some appropriate gloves for this job include work gloves, gardening gloves designed for roses, or heavy-duty leather gloves.
  2. Pick up the trap with the mouse and gently transfer it to a clear plastic container or box. The container should have surface dimensions a little greater than the sticky trap and should be at least 4 inches (10.2 cm) deep. This will help prevent the mouse from escaping once it’s loose so you can release it into the wild.
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  3. Use an old rag or towel that you don’t mind throwing out afterward. Gently lay the towel over the mouse’s head to keep it calm. [1] Place one hand over the mouse near the shoulders and delicately hold the mouse in place while you work.
    • Remember to keep your gloves on for the entire process to reduce your chances of being bitten.
  4. Dip a cotton swab or cloth into a little bit of vegetable oil (or other cooking oil, like olive oil) and gently dab it on any area the mouse makes contact with the glue. Use as little oil as possible and avoid getting the oil directly on the mouse. [2]
    • You can use cooking spray or baby oil as a last resort, but these don’t work as well. Liquid vegetable oil is ideal.
    • Parker says if you don’t want to handle the mouse directly, “Grab it with one of those three-foot grabber poles. I don't like any of my technicians getting near the mouthparts of any animal, so if you absolutely need to pull that guy off of the sticky trap, try using a tool like a spatula to pry it off.”
  5. Continue massaging the area around the mouse until the glue dissolves; this may take several minutes. Eventually, the glue will loosen enough for the mouse to release itself from the trap. As soon as the mouse is free, remove the trap from the container. Put the trap in a sealed plastic bag and transfer it to a garbage can to prevent other animals from getting stuck. [3]
    • If the mouse dies before you can free it, spray it and the immediate area with a disinfectant, then place the mouse and any mouse-soiled materials (feces, nesting material, food etc.) in a sealed plastic bag. Put that bag inside another sealed bag, then throw it in the trash. Remember to wash your hands afterwards and throw away your gloves.
  6. Soak an old rag or cloth with warm water and wring out the excess. Firmly but gently hold the mouse and use the cloth to remove any oil or glue that may be on the mouse’s paws, head, tail, or body. [4]
    • Oil will prevent the mouse from regulating its body temperature, so it’s important to remove as much as possible.
  7. Whenever possible, the mouse should be released to a specialist for care. If that isn’t possible, ask the specialist how you can treat the mouse for oil, care for the mouse until you can release it, and how you should return the mouse to the wild. [5]
    • In general, allow the mouse to rest for an hour before attempting to release it. Give it fresh water and drape a large towel over the container so it has a dark, quiet place to recover.
  8. This will prevent the mouse from finding its way back inside your house or onto your property. Make sure to choose an uninhabited area (like a park, field, or forest) so it doesn’t become a pest to someone else. Simply place the container on the ground and turn it on its side so the mouse can run free. [6]
    • In winter, consider leaving the mouse in your shed or garage until the weather is more suitable.
    • Avoid jostling the container as much as possible during transportation, as this could cause stress and panic for the mouse.
    • Disinfect any supplies you used to release the mouse and thoroughly wash your hands when you’re done handling it.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Humanely Kill a Trapped Mouse

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  1. If there is no way to safely remove the live mouse from the glue trap, it’s best to end its suffering as quickly as possible. The general consensus is that the only way to humanely kill a mouse in this situation is one quick, heavy blow to the head. You must be firm and unwavering in your decision to kill the mouse, as a faulty blow may cause it to suffer more. [7]
    • While some people have drowned mice, rats, and other rodents stuck to sticky traps, scientists and pest control specialists agree that this is not a humane way to kill them.
    • Parker says, “There is a document put out by the American Veterinary Association about ethical euthanasia. The issue with that comes down to practicality. They recommend shooting the animal in the head or suffocating them in a carbon monoxide chamber, which is not practical, right? But the third thing is basically breaking their neck with a shovel. Hit them in the neck as quickly as you can—the quicker the better.”
    • To dispose of the mouse, spray it and the surrounding area with disinfectant, then place the mouse in a sealed plastic bag. Place that bag inside another sealed bag, then throw it in the trash. Don’t push out any extra air in the bag, as this may spread any germs and bacteria the mouse was carrying.
    • Remember to wash your hands thoroughly and throw away your gloves when you’re done.
Section 3 of 4:

Keeping Mice Out of Your House

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  1. Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. Walk around your house and make note of any cracks, holes, vents, openings, or other access points . Seal these with metal or cement to keep mice and other rodents from entering. [8]
    EXPERT TIP

    Chris Parker

    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control
    Chris Parker is the Founder of Parker Eco Pest Control, a sustainable pest control service in Seattle, Washington. Since 2016, Chris has been specializing in Integrated Pest Management and doesn’t use any chemicals for pest removal. He offers removal services for ants, rodents, fleas, spiders, wasps, and more. Chris is a certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator in Washington State and received his bachelor’s from the University of Washington.
    Chris Parker
    Founder, Parker Eco Pest Control

    The best way to prevent mice is to seal entry points. This way, if you release a mouse and it tries to get back in your house, that entrance is no longer available. Then, set up non-lethal traps. You won't have to worry about releasing the mouse right outside the home because they won't be able to get back in.

  2. Mice and other rodents often hide or make homes in woodpiles, shrubbery, and other items that are stored near your house. Keep shrubs and long grass trimmed and cut back branches that hang over your roof. Store firewood, barbecues, patio furniture, and other items at least 20 feet away from your house to keep mice and rats out . [9]
  3. Mice will eat all sorts of things, including scraps, garbage, crumbs, pet food, seeds, fruit, and more. To naturally deter mice , do your best to keep your house clean and keep food put away. Here are some steps you can take: [10]
    • Store food in airtight glass containers
    • Clean floors, counters, and pantries regularly
    • Store pet food and trash in rodent-proof containers
    • Clean up fallen birdseed
    • Pick fresh fruits and vegetables immediately
    • Address leaks, moisture problems, and other fresh water sources
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Section 4 of 4:

Glue Trap FAQs

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  1. Glue traps do not kill animals, but animals can die if they remain stuck for too long. When an animal becomes stuck to the trap, it may struggle to free itself and become more embedded in the glue. If the animal is not released, it may die of exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, or suffocation. [11]
  2. Yes, while glue traps are typically used to trap rodents, other non-target animals can also become stuck. There have been reports of wild birds, bats, hedgehogs, fox cubs, and even house cats becoming trapped. [12]
    • If you choose to use sticky traps, this is why it’s important to dispose of them properly in a sealed bag.
  3. The traps themselves are not a risk to humans. However, the rodents they trap often carry diseases that can be transmitted through their urine and feces. When they become trapped, these rodents may urinate or defecate out of stress and fear, and anyone handling the traps could potentially be exposed to these diseases. The animals may also bite the person handling the trap, which could also transmit diseases. [13]
  4. Glue traps are not illegal everywhere, but they are banned in many places, including Ireland, New Zealand, and Iceland. Even in countries where the traps aren’t officially banned, many stores (like Dollar General, Target, and CVS in the United States) have stopped selling them. [14]
  5. If you don’t want to kill the mouse, consider using a catch and release trap rather than a glue trap. These traps secure the mouse in a container so that you can dispose of them away from your house without injuring them. If you don’t mind killing the mouse, a snap trap will kill them quickly so they don’t suffer. [15]
    • Parker says that the most humane way to kill rodents is “a subjective question, but a lot of people are under the impression the quicker the kill, the more humane the kill. So, a traditional snap trap that will hit the neck right away is our preferred method. That's the fastest way.”
    • Parker also adds that “There are plenty of non-kill traps out there. A lot you can just find on Amazon, and there's a great YouTube channel on different ways to set up a trap that will catch them in a bucket so they can't get back out.”
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will still work and should get the animal unstuck.
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  • Question
    What if I get a tiny baby mouse stuck in the trap? Do I need to use something different?
    Community Answer
    No, you wouldn't have to. Most mouse traps are designed to trap all kinds and sizes of rats and mice.
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  • Question
    Is the glue harmful to humans if in direct contact with skin?
    Community Answer
    Not unless you're exposed for a while, wash it off when you can and you should be fine.
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      Tips

      • Try using a humane trap to catch mice in the future. These traps don't kill the mouse or use glue, which can stress them out. Plus, it's usually easier to release mice from humane traps.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Make sure you remove all the glue from the mouse before putting them in their habitat. Otherwise, the bark chip or paper towels will stick to them which can stress them out.
      • Release the mouse as far away from your house as possible. If you release them near your house, they might come back inside.
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      Warnings

      • Never pull an animal off a glue trap without properly loosening the glue first. The glue can actually pull off hair and skin, and cause severe injury.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.peta.org.au/action-centre/6-steps-to-saving-animals-stuck-on-glue-traps/
      2. ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
      3. ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
      4. ↑ https://www.ahnow.org/resources/How_to_Help_Animals_Stuck_on_Glue_Traps.pdf
      5. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
      6. ↑ https://mouseranch.com/FYI/wildRelease.shtml
      7. ↑ https://www.ufaw.org.uk/rodent-control/humane-rodent-control-detailed-advice
      8. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/wildlife/seal-up.html
      9. ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/10-easy-tips-to-prevent-mice-and-rodents-inside-the-home/
      1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html
      2. ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
      3. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
      4. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
      5. ↑ https://www.peta.org/features/join-campaign-glue-traps/
      6. ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove a live mouse from a sticky trap, start by picking up the trap and placing it in a container so the mouse doesn't get away when you free it. Then, gently lay an old towel or rag over the mouse so it stays calm. When you're ready, pour some vegetable oil on the trap where the mouse is stuck and use a swab or cloth to massage it into the glue. Keep massaging the oil into the glue until the glue loosens and the mouse is able to free itself. Once the mouse is free, wipe off any oil on it using the cloth. To learn how to release the mouse into the wild once you free it, scroll down!

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