The best mouse traps that actually work (and are humane)

Despite being nocturnal and therefore making them hard to spot during the day, mice tend to leave little clues for us. "You may find droppings, detect odours, find marks on walls (known as smearing) and gnaw marks in food", says Wayne. He continues to say, "you may possibly hear them scratching around in the walls and in the loft too". If you've seen or heard any of these signs, it's likely you have a mouse or two.

According to the Woodland Trust, there are many different types of mice in the UK that can find their way into your home including house mice, field mice, harvest mice and yellow-necked mice.

They've gotten smarter over time and have actually become very good at living with humans, so traditional methods like sprays or home remedies may no longer work, but it's always worth giving these a try, too. Read more on peta.org about living with mice.

When heading indoors, the biggest pull for mice will be food sources. Keep your kitchen and living areas clean of crumbs, keep food in airtight containers and ensure your rubbish bin is also sealed to reduce smells. Find out more about keeping your home clean and fresh here. Avoid leaving any garden debris such as paper or cardboard in piles near your home, as mice are also attracted to these. If you have bird feeders, mice may also be tempted to head your way, so try to keep them far from the house.

Then, look for any and all potential entry sites for a mouse. Mice can fit into VERY small holes, so use caulk or steel wool for larger holes to stop them. If in doubt or you're struggling to contain the problem, Wayne says it's time to speak to a professional for some advice. "Having an expert to look over the issue can help to identify entry points and give you advice on trying to stop the mice from coming back."

Wayne explains that in the majority of cases, mice can be stopped and contained quite easily but there may be some circumstances where it's not quite so straightforward. "If you living in a semi-detached house, you need to consider your neighbours as the mice may be in your house but could be gaining access via your neighbour's side." In these cases, a professional pest control expert will be able to advise on the best course of action.

A live catch rodent trap is usually a chamber or cage which is fitted with trigger-activated doors. Once the mouse has started tucking into a tasty treat, the door will shut without harming the mouse and will keep it safe for you to be able to release it. These humane mouse and rat traps are reusable, of course, and can be used time and time again to safely catch the mice.

Wondering what to put on a mouse trap? Despite eating seeds in their natural habitat, mice are attracted to high-calorie sweets and fatty foods, such as peanut butter, cheese, bread, chocolate and honey make the best bait for mouse traps. Marshmallows and beef jerky are also good options. While these foods typically would attract a mouse to a trap, Wayne says it's not always as simple as that. "Mice are all similar in characteristics and the biology is the same, however, not one cap fits all and while one food source or scent may attract one mouse to a trap, it might not have the same appeal to another. Sometimes, it's a case of trial and error to find something that lures them in."

If you've identified a special route that your mouse likes to take, put the rodent trap in its path. If you're not sure where he's travelling, place it near the mouse droppings as it's likely he'll return here. The good thing about most of these mouse traps is that they're small and compact so can easily be tucked away in the corner of any room without looking too unattractive. Wayne explains that as mice have very poor eyesight, it's worth sticking traps around the edges of a room as mice often use their whiskers on either side of their cheeks to navigate around obstacles. That's why it's worth sticking them next to skirting boards to stop them in their tracks.

Whichever humane mouse trap you choose should come with a set of instructions to tell you how to set it up correctly. Ensure you read through any guidelines and check for any online tutorial videos before attempting to set it up.

“Check it regularly and make sure it has food and water inside”, says Wayne. He goes on to explain that he has “visited properties on many occasions where people have used the humane trap but have forgotten to check them. There has been little food and no water and it becomes debatable as to whether this becomes animal cruelty.”

It's important to take your mouse as far away from your home as possible, otherwise, they will simply make their way back in. General advice suggests that three miles is an acceptable distance to deter it from heading straight back. The traps mentioned are no-touch traps, so there's no need to handle the mouse when you release it.

"It is possible that they may leave on their own in the summer months," says Wayne." However, if you'd found a nice cosy home with plenty of food, would you leave? We don't think so. It would be very rare in the winter for mice to leave on their own, according to Wayne, as they are on the search for shelter as well as food in the colder months of the year.

Mice have an incredible sense of smell, so while they may not know to avoid a mouse trap, they will know if a human has been near it - so they'll avoid the area. Wearing gloves when setting up a trap can help to keep your scent away from it.

Mice are nocturnal, preferring to stay hidden during the day and search for food in the evenings and overnight. That's why you often hear scratching when you're trying to get to sleep. While they prefer to come out in the evenings, it's not unheard of for them to come out during the day according to Wayne.

There is a huge range of mouse traps that aim to kill, and as such are not humane, and there are lots of reasons why not to use them. These traps include:

-Traps using poison and bait
-Mouse glue traps
-Snap traps
-Electric traps
-Sticky traps

There are plenty of reasons why a humane mouse trap is preferable and recommended, and not just because they're better for the mouse. We know that humane mouse traps keep the mouse safe and out of harm, and you can get rid of them out of your house without killing or hurting the mouse; inhumane traps will injure, hurt and harm the mouse, causing them pain and suffering - nothing an animal lover wants. Snap traps are one of the most popular types of mouse trap, but they do kill the mouse - normally instantly - and we prefer a trap that doesn't result in mouse death.

Other reasons for choosing a humane mouse trap include the possibility of a mouse getting injured by a trap, then disappearing behind your walls or under your floorboards, and dying in an inaccessible area - meaning that decomposing mouse body is going to smell. Sticky traps are troublesome because again they trap the mouse and leave them stuck - potentially for days if you don't check it regularly, resulting in a slow death. They can only be used once, shouldn't be used outside, and should definitely not be used around children.

Children - a reason in themselves to choose a humane mouse trap. Not only does a humane option teach children about looking after animals in the right way, but they're also much safer. Curious children will be fascinated and you don't really want them fiddling around with mouse traps, or the half-dead mouse stuck in one. There are also disposable mouse traps, which aren't recyclable or eco-friendly, so we don't recommend these either.