How to Catch a Mouse: 4 Effective Methods to Try

Liputan6.com, Jakarta How to catch a mouse in your home? This is a common question many people ask when they discover unwanted visitors. Mice are small animals that can enter your home through tiny holes. They look for food, water, and warm places to live. When mice move into your house, they can create many problems.

Mice can damage your belongings by chewing on furniture, wires, and clothing. They leave droppings around your home that can spread diseases. Mice also multiply very fast. One mouse can become many mice in just a few weeks. This makes the problem worse if you do not act quickly.

If you have a problem with mice and rats at home, don't worry. Here, we will learn how to catch a mouse in four different way. From the classic snap trap to a simple homemade trap, these methods will help you to remove those rodents from your home. We will also talk about signs that there are rodents in your house and tips to prevent the problem. We gathered the information from various sources, Monday (10/11/2025).

A snap trap is one of the most common ways to catch a mouse. This traditional trap uses a metal bar that snaps down quickly when the mouse touches the bait. Snap traps work fast and kill mice instantly. They are simple to use and cost very little money. Many people choose snap traps when learning how to catch a mouse because they are effective.

What You'll Need:

- Snap traps (buy several)

- Bait (peanut butter, chocolate, or bacon)

- Gloves for safety

- Small spoon or stick to apply bait

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose Your Bait: Put a small amount of peanut butter on the trap. Use only a pea-sized amount. Too much bait lets the mouse eat without triggering the trap.

2. Bait the Trap Before Setting It: Don't forget to put the bait first before setting the trap. This keeps you safe from accidentally snapping the trap on your fingers.

3. Find the Right Location: Look for places where you have seen mouse droppings or gnaw marks. Mice like to stay near walls and in dark corners.

4. Set the Trap Against the Wall: Push the trap all the way to the wall. The baited part should touch the wall. The snap bar should face away from the wall. Mice run along walls, so this position catches them better.

5. Place Multiple Traps: Put traps every two to three feet along the wall. This increases your chances of catching the mouse.

6. Check Traps Every Day: Look at your traps each morning. If you catch a mouse, wear gloves to remove it. Throw away disposable traps or clean reusable ones with soap and water.

7. Reset the Traps: Keep setting traps until you do not catch any mice for one full week.

Glue traps use a sticky surface to catch mice. When a mouse walks on the trap, it gets stuck and cannot escape. These traps are flat boards covered with strong adhesive. While glue traps are inexpensive, they are not the most humane option. Understanding how to catch a mouse with glue traps helps you make an informed choice.

What You'll Need:

- Glue traps

- Gloves

- Plastic bag for disposal

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Remove the Protective Cover: Take off the paper or plastic that covers the sticky surface.

2. Place Traps in Active Areas: Put glue traps where you have seen mouse activity. Good spots include along walls, under furniture, and near food storage areas.

3. Set Multiple Traps in a Row: For better results, place several glue traps five to eight feet apart along the bottom of walls.

4. Check Traps Twice Per Day: Look at your traps in the morning and evening. Mice usually move around at night.

5. Keep Traps Away From Children and Pets: The sticky surface can harm pets or get stuck on skin and clothing.

6. Dispose of Caught Mice: When you catch a mouse, wear gloves. Place the entire trap in a plastic bag and throw it away in an outdoor trash bin.

Live catch traps capture mice without killing them. These traps are also called catch-and-release traps or humane traps. They work by luring the mouse into a small chamber where it gets trapped inside. This method is good for people who want to know how to catch a mouse without harming it.

What You'll Need:

- Live catch trap (wind-up or low-profile style)

- Bait (peanut butter or marshmallows work well)

- Transportation container

- Access to a release location

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Select Your Trap Type: Wind-up traps use a spring platform that flips mice into a chamber. Low-profile traps use a door that drops mice into a holding area.

2. Add Bait to the Trap: Put a small amount of peanut butter or a marshmallow inside the trap. Make sure the bait does not block the trapping mechanism.

3. Position the Trap Near Walls: Place the trap opening side closest to the wall where mice travel.

4. Check the Trap Once Per Day: Look at your trap every morning. If you do not catch anything in a few days, try moving the trap to a different location.

5. Release the Mouse Far From Your Home: Take the trapped mouse at least one mile away from your house. Find a wooded area or place with natural shelter.

6. Open the Trap and Let the Mouse Go: Simply open the lid or door and allow the mouse to run free. You can leave some food nearby to help the mouse survive.

7. Clean the Trap Before Reusing: Wash the trap with soap and water. This removes scents and makes it ready for the next use.

You can make a simple trap at home using everyday items. This homemade trap is humane and costs almost nothing. The trap uses a cardboard tube balanced on a table edge with a bucket underneath. When the mouse enters the tube for bait, its weight makes the tube fall into the bucket. This DIY method shows how to catch a mouse without buying commercial traps.

What You'll Need:

- Empty cardboard tube (paper towel or toilet paper roll)

- Tall bucket or trash can (at least two feet high)

- Bait (peanut butter works best)

- Table or counter

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Get a Cardboard Tube: Use an empty tube from paper towels or toilet paper. The tube must be large enough for a mouse to fit inside.

2. Flatten One Side of the Tube: Press down on one side along the entire length. This creates a flat bottom so the tube can rest on a surface.

3. Add Bait to One End: Put a small dollop of peanut butter inside one end of the tube. You can also use a small piece of bacon or chocolate.

4. Find a Table or Counter: Choose a raised surface with open floor space underneath. The table should be a few feet off the ground.

5. Balance the Tube on the Edge: Place the tube flat-side-down on the table. Put the baited end hanging over the edge. Push the tube until half of it hangs off the table.

6. Use Light Tape if Needed: If the tube does not stay in place, use a small piece of tape. Make sure the tape is loose enough that the tube will still fall when the mouse climbs inside.

7. Place a Bucket Underneath: Put your bucket or trash can directly under the baited end of the tube. Make sure the bucket is at least two feet tall so the mouse cannot jump out.

8. Check Your Trap Daily: Look at the trap each morning. If the tube has fallen and a mouse is in the bucket, you have succeeded.

9. Release the Captured Mouse: Take the bucket outside and transport the mouse at least one mile away. Release it in a safe area with shelter.

Knowing the warning signs helps you act fast before the problem grows. Mice are active at night, so you might not see them during the day. However, they leave clear evidence of their presence. Recognizing these signs helps you understand when learning how to catch a mouse becomes necessary.

- Droppings: Small, dark pellets about 3 to 6 millimeters long appear near food areas, in drawers, under sinks, and along walls. Fresh droppings are dark and moist. Old droppings turn gray and crumble when touched.

- Gnaw Marks: Fresh chew marks appear light in color and turn darker as they age. Look for these marks on food packages, furniture, and walls.

- Strange Pet Behavior: Cats and dogs may paw at areas they previously ignored. They can smell and hear mice even when you cannot see them.

- Footprints And Tracks: Mice leave small prints with four toes on the front feet and five toes on the back feet. You can sprinkle baby powder or flour in suspected areas to see tracks more clearly.

- Nests: Mice build nests from shredded paper, fabric, or dried plants. Nests are usually hidden but close to food and water sources.

- Scratching Sounds: You might hear scurrying, scratching, or squeaking noises at night. These sounds often come from walls, ceilings, or cabinets.

- Urine Odor: A strong ammonia smell means you have many mice. This smell is similar to a dirty diaper and indicates an active infestation.

- Urine Stains: Mice urinate frequently and create visible stains. Use a black light to see urine marks that are not visible in regular light.

After you learn how to catch a mouse, the next step is keeping them out permanently. These simple actions make your home less attractive to mice.

- Seal All Entry Points: Check your home for gaps and holes. Mice can fit through openings as small as 1/4 inch (the width of a pencil). Fill small holes with steel wool and caulk. Use metal sheeting or cement for larger gaps.

- Store Food Properly: Keep all food in thick plastic, metal, or glass containers with tight lids. This includes pet food and bird seed.

- Clean Up Immediately: Wash dishes right after eating. Clean spills and crumbs as soon as they happen. Do not leave pet food bowls out overnight.

- Use Proper Garbage Containers: Keep indoor trash in thick plastic or metal cans with tight lids. Take garbage out regularly.

- Eliminate Outdoor Attractions: Move bird feeders at least 100 feet from your house. Keep woodpiles raised off the ground and far from your home. Store compost bins away from the house.

- Maintain Your Yard: Cut grass and trim bushes near your home. Remove brush and weeds. Keep the area around your foundation clear of leaves and debris.

- Fix Moisture Problems: Repair leaky pipes and faucets. Mice need water to survive, so eliminating water sources helps keep them away.

- Inspect Regularly: Check your home every few months for new gaps, holes, or signs of mice. Early detection prevents large infestations.

- Consider Getting a Pet: Cats are natural mouse hunters and their presence alone can deter mice from entering your home. Even the scent of a cat can make mice stay away. Dogs can also help detect and chase away rodents.