Reusing a mouse/rat trap

[y_p_w]

I won't get too graphic, but I've been helping out with parents and a rodent problem they have in their house. My dad insisted that they needed a rat trap because they were pretty big. Nothing was caught for a while until today. I saw a rodent going around in the lower floor and figured a good place to set a rat trap.

Did catch one, although it looked like a mouse and not a rat - a fairly big one of maybe 3 inches long from head to the base of the tail. Kind of surprised that it was caught by a rat trap since I've heard they sometimes miss mice because they're too small. It seems reusable though. It's a standard Victor wooden rat trap with a plastic trigger plate. Not sure if it was looking for the bait (stale sourdough bread) or if just tried going through a narrow passage where I placed the trap.

The only problem with cleaning and reusing it is that there's a bit of blood on it. Right at the end so it's soaked into the grain of the wood. Is that going to make the trap less effective? I washed it and scrubbed it down, but I can't get rid of the stain.

 

[Donald]

I reused mouse traps all the time. I sometimes would screw the mouse trap to a small piece of wood. If the mouse does not enter the way you expect it can catch but not kill and the mouse would drag the trap away. Sometimes you find it and sometimes not.

I bought some $25 video cameras to watch the traps. See what was lurking around. Once a rat and several times flying squirrels. But mostly mice.

 

[Variant_S]

Could this have been a wood rat?

I reuse traps all the time as well. I learned from my dad to tie a string to the trap and to anchor the string to something in case the mouse/rat runs behind something after being trapped.

 

[y_p_w]

Could this have been a wood rat?

I reuse traps all the time. I learned from my dad to tie a string to the trap and to anchor the string to something in case the mouse/rat runs behind something after being trapped.

Couldn't they just chew it off? I guess they may not be that resourceful.

I do remember when I was in HS my dad asked me to set up some traps. Caught one by the tail, but it was lifeless when we found it in the morning. Didn't feel too good about. I don't have a problem with a quick exit, but that just didn't feel right.

 

[y_p_w]

I reused mouse traps all the time. I sometimes would screw the mouse trap to a small piece of wood. If the mouse does not enter the way you expect it can catch but not kill and the mouse would drag the trap away. Sometimes you find it and sometimes not.

I bought some $25 video cameras to watch the traps. See what was lurking around. Once a rat and several times flying squirrels. But mostly mice.

My question is whether or not the blood residue is going to be anything that keeps them from approaching the reused trap. I understand that rodents have an excellent sense of smell.

 

[demarpaint]

Make your own out of a 5 gallon bucket, like this: 5 gallon bucket mouse trap. Use a smaller can, or a plastic vitamin bottle. They work great, and you can catch and release, or catch and dispose of. I notched the bucket for the wooden ramp. Put it against the wall. You catch quite a few if they're there. I had mice in my garage, not anymore.

 

[Chris142]

A little blood won't matter as they are not that smart. Btw use peanut butter for bait.

 

[Chris142]

Make your own out of a 5 gallon bucket, like this: 5 gallon bucket mouse trap. Use a smaller can, or a plastic vitamin bottle. They work great, and you can catch and release, or catch and dispose of. I notched the bucket for the wooden ramp. Put it against the wall. You catch quite a few if they're there. I had mice in my garage, not anymore.

I built 2 and they won't go near em

 

[demarpaint]

I built 2 and they won't go near em

Interesting, mine caught three overnight. I also found out how they got in and put an end to that entry way. Did you try a little dab of PB towards the top of the ramp?

 

[vavavroom]

I built 2 and they won't go near em

Clearly, they are dumb.

 

[andyd]

Mum used to boil the used ones. I found it not to be an issue. Thank you for the timely reminder. Time to set traps in the cellar. I do fine with peanut butter. BTW,I used a Victor rat trap to dispatch a red squirrel.

 

[Danno]

I prefer the original Victor traps, no little yellow plate. For the wily mice, a small bit of cheddar cheese, and then a dab of peanut butter on the cheese. Set the cheese into the teeth of the trip catch and you will catch all of them.
I have also started putting bait blocks around the perimeter of the house and in likely hiding spots for mice. Layered defence is the thinking. The Tomcat bait stations do the trick, too small for chipmunks to get into and eat the bait.
Added benefit of catching French speaking mice too! /j

 

[Jdeere562]

Get a cat. you can reuse them.

 

[vavavroom]

Get a cat. you can reuse them.

He has cats. I think they may be defective. Maybe he shouldn't leave the cheese out. I don't have mice. Cuddles eats the occasional gopher, deer, mailman.

 

[Pablo]

Hose 'em off and let sit the sun for a day or three. I've caught plenty of the little buggers.

 

[supton]

Reused for four years now, but am thinking of replacing. Peanut butter that has been baking in the attic for four years? have been dabbing new PB on but not sure if working. Just put a couple brand new traps up there, will see if they attract the buggers.

 

[MrGraybeard]

Cats like to play with mice. Our cat used to find one in the basement occasionally and bring it upstairs into the kitchen to bat around. Sometimes the mouse got away, and then we had to set traps in the kitchen..

 

[y_p_w]

This was the first time this particular trap caught a rodent. I previously set it out with nothing, so I cleaned it once to get off the bait. I did notice that the springs have light rust in some spots. Probably should have dried off the springs before air drying.

 

[74DartSport]

I reuse traps but handle/bait them wearing nitrile gloves.

 

[GON]

Consider protecting your parents. Senior citizens having rodents in their home is a very concerning health risk on numerous levels.

Nothing beats chunky peanut butter in the center of a rat sized glue trap for catching mice, rats, etc. This will end the health risk to your parents and end the breeding of rodents in their home. Go to the store and buy 24 glue mouse traps, and a can of chunky peanut butter. This will quickly solve the problem.

If rodents return at a later time, bait stations placed outside of the home in an array in the next action to take.