Humane mouse trap that actually works

[fhills]

Can anyone recommend one?

I bought one of these, though paid substantially more

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p60863?table=no

But the mouse resolutely ignores/mocks it.

Clearly a clever mouse, possibly since it seems to spend most of its time amongst my books

[rafletcher]

That type worked well for us. Maybe you need different bait?

[fhills]

I used peanut butter.

Have the impression that the issue is my clever mouse to be honest as it seems to eat anything.

But what do you recommend?

[rafletcher]

I've used peanuts, and sunflower hearts.

[ian]

I just grab them. One benefit (possibly the only benefit) of useless cats is that I've learned the reflexes to grab a mouse as it darts by. If I do have to say so, it's quite an impressive skill. I've no idea why our dinner guests are so sparse these days. They can be quite bitey, so best to hold them by the tail.

ETA: it's the mice that bite. Never grab dinner guests by the tail though, who knows how they'll react.

[T42]

I awlays thought the standard spine-whacker was pretty humane. Sure it kills them, but it's quick.

[Ben T]

If it's in the garage where there's no carpet to worry about I just use a mallet (or if in the kitchen, a steak tenderizer).
I have recently lost the garage mallet however so have been finding the largest 'professional standard' park tools pedal spanner to be just as good.

[Wowbagger]

I awlays thought the standard spine-whacker was pretty humane. Sure it kills them, but it's quick.

It depends where it gets them. We caught one by the leg once and it didn't half squeal.

[T42]

Ah now, that is nasty I'll admit. Never had that happen. Had them take the bait without the trap going off, though. More power to them; if they're that clever they deserve it.

[djmc]

My mouse traps are not humane they are feline (I have two). They seem to be very efficient. I was taught the art by one of my previous cats. One corners them and goes for where they are going rather than where they are.

[andyoxon]

That type worked well for us. Maybe you need different bait?

+1.  Worked very well many years ago - used chocolate buttons.

[Nick H.]

At university we would put some bread in an empty milk bottle and tilt it against the wall in a corner. Mouse climbs in but can't get out. Then you can either release it in your neighbour's garden or fill the bottle with water and leave the room.

[citoyen]

At university we would put some bread in an empty milk bottle and tilt it against the wall in a corner. Mouse climbs in but can't get out. Then you can either release it in your neighbour's garden or fill the bottle with water and leave the room.

That post turned unexpectedly dark at the end! Just as well I wasn't taking a mouthful of coffee when I read it, as I had been moments earlier.

Fwiw, I don't think there's anything humane about letting them live. Old-skool snap traps are the best option, although as noted they sometimes don't do the job - I was woken one night by strange noises coming from behind the kitchen cupboards, which turned out to be a mouse trying to drag its broken body back into its hole with trap attached. On another occasion, I found a dismembered leg in a trap, the owner of which had made like James Franco in 127 Hours. I don't find that kind of thing amusing or entertaining but I don't lose any sleep over it either - it's only a mouse, FFS. And it's no worse than releasing them into the wild, which is not a kindness, it's misguided sentimentality. They will only starve, freeze or get eaten.

[Cudzoziemiec]

I was thinking along similar lines. The very act of catching a wild creature is not humane, unless you can shoot them with a stun dart when they're not expecting anything. Might be difficult to do that with a mouse.

[Ben T]

Would it be humane to gas them with RAID? If it's acceptable for a fly, why not a mouse?

[mrcharly-YHT]

Would it be humane to gas them with RAID? If it's acceptable for a fly, why not a mouse?

Relative types of nervous systems, ability to feel pain etc.

No, it would not be humane.

[Samuel D]

But the mouse resolutely ignores/mocks it.

Wait longer. They work, but mice avoid all new furniture for a long time.

[Biggsy]

I caught one mouse in one of these:

http://amzn.eu/deKbmKX

Not a raving success but proves it *can* work.

[Ian H]

The trick is mostly in the positioning of the trap.  It needs to be along the mouse's regular trail and preferably where it would require a large detour to avoid.  So in a narrow gap, perhaps behind the fridge or similar.

[Samuel D]

Along the edge of a wall where droppings have been spotted works well too.

[Asterix, the former Gaul.]

French mousetraps are best IM considerable Experience.

They are a crude conconction of wire mesh & tin stapled to a bit of wood. Mice are fooled into thinking 'that can't possibly work.. I'll have that cheese'. Next thing they hear is a loud clack and it's chokey for the little tea leaf.

[Cunobelin]

Can anyone recommend one?

I bought one of these, though paid substantially more

https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p60863?table=no

But the mouse resolutely ignores/mocks it.

Clearly a clever mouse, possibly since it seems to spend most of its time amongst my books

So it has read the instruction manual then - no wonder it can get round it.

The answer is simple

Next time design and print a colourful brochure extolling the virtues of the device and the fact that entering it is a "once in a lifetime opportunity" and "not to be missed

The Mouse will read your blurb, and immediately investigate the inside of the trap......sorted