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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
- Put on a pair of gloves and place the trapped mouse inside a container so it can’t escape.
- Lay a towel over the mouse’s head and gently hold it in place.
- Dip a cotton ball or cloth into vegetable oil and dab it on the areas the mouse is stuck.
- Wash any remaining glue and oil off the mouse with a warm, damp cloth.
- When the mouse is free, release it at least 2 miles away from your home.
Steps
Section 1 of 4:
Removing a Live Mouse from a Sticky Trap
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Protect yourself with gloves. 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.
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Place the trapped mouse inside a container. 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.Advertisement
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Cover the mouse with a towel and hold it in place. 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] X Research source Place one hand over the mouse near the shoulders and delicately hold the mouse in place while you work.
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Dab vegetable oil onto the areas the mouse is stuck. 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] X Research source
- 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.”
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Free the mouse and dispose of the trap. 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 it in a sealed plastic bag and transfer it to a garbage can to prevent other animals from getting stuck. [3] X Research source
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Wash any remaining oil or glue from the mouse. 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] X Research source
- Oil will prevent the mouse from regulating its body temperature, so it’s important to remove as much as possible.
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Call a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian. 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] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source
- 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.
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Release the mouse at least 2 miles away from your home. 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] X Research source
- 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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Community Q&A
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QuestionCan I use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil?Community AnswerYes, it will still work and should get the animal unstuck.
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QuestionWhat if I get a tiny baby mouse stuck in the trap? Do I need to use something different?Community AnswerNo, you wouldn't have to. Most mouse traps are designed to trap all kinds and sizes of rats and mice.
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QuestionIs the glue harmful to humans if in direct contact with skin?Community AnswerNot 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.Thanks
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.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.peta.org.au/action-centre/6-steps-to-saving-animals-stuck-on-glue-traps/
- ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
- ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
- ↑ https://www.ahnow.org/resources/How_to_Help_Animals_Stuck_on_Glue_Traps.pdf
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
- ↑ https://mouseranch.com/FYI/wildRelease.shtml
- ↑ https://www.ufaw.org.uk/rodent-control/humane-rodent-control-detailed-advice
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/wildlife/seal-up.html
- ↑ https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/10-easy-tips-to-prevent-mice-and-rodents-inside-the-home/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html
- ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
- ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/glue-boards
- ↑ https://www.peta.org/features/join-campaign-glue-traps/
- ↑ https://staysafe.org/pest-control/glue-traps-for-mice/
About This Article
Article Summary
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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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Reader Success Stories
- "I have a nasty little mouse infestation, and while it's annoying, it's not terribly awful. If I can keep from killing the mice, I would gladly do so. When my dad brought home a glue trap, I was terrified at the idea of finding a little mouse stuck in it, because knowing my dad, he wouldn't kill it, but he'd throw it away and the mouse would starve! So tonight I just desperately went to find a quick solution and found this article, and thank goodness I did! Now I'm way less apprehensive of the traps!" ..." more
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"I have a nasty little mouse infestation, and while it's annoying, it's not terribly awful. If I can keep from killing the mice, I would gladly do so. When my dad brought home a glue trap, I was terrified at the idea of finding a little mouse stuck in it, because knowing my dad, he wouldn't kill it, but he'd throw it away and the mouse would starve! So tonight I just desperately went to find a quick solution and found this article, and thank goodness I did! Now I'm way less apprehensive of the traps!"
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"This story helped me, because I have a rat infestation. I was trapping them, but they got smart and would no longer go in the traps. I did not want to kill them, and if I could release them from glue traps that is what I would do. I will try this with one rat. If it works, I will continue, If not I will never use a glue trap again. "
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"I searched for the topic as I was struggling to release a mouse from glue trap. I used some alcohol at first but it was not that much effective, as the glue on the body of the mouse was getting stuck again. Then I found this and applied coconut oil."
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"We accidentally trapped a beautiful lizard. We thought all was lost until we read this article. Put olive oil on and around lizard, used a Q-tip to gently loosen the fragile toes while he wiggled his body, which helped to loosen him until freedom!"
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"This worked great! I can't stand seeing animals struggle. Once Mr. Cheese was caught, I put the trap vertical over a tub and poured some oil on him, gravity helped him slip off right off. No contact, no drama."
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