The 7 Best Mouse Traps of 2024

One of the perils of setting traditional snap-style mouse traps is that you could get your finger or toe trapped instead. While you still have to be careful with these traps from Feeke—it warns you in bright yellow right on the trap itself—it is easier to set up than others. To engage, just add bait to the refillable cup and make sure the trap clamp is open. The pack comes with six ready-to-bait traps that are durable enough for both indoor and outdoor use. Unlike other traps that mice might eventually become inured to, these quickly ensure that the mice won’t return. They’re reusable, too—just rinse with water to clean between uses.

Although these are easy enough to place without getting your fingers in the way, know that the pedal is very sensitive—it’s triggered by just 0.025 pounds of weight—so you will want to keep your fingers behind the clamp rather than in front of it. While this does mean you’ll be able to capture and kill even the tiniest of mice, you’ll want to set these where children and pets won’t have access to them.

Type: Snap | Dimensions: 3.9 by 1.93 by 2 inches | Number of Traps Included: 6

“[Mouse] traps can truly be a ‘you get what you pay’ for deal,” Leinneweber says. The exception to that rule, he says, are these wooden snap traps from Victor. They come pre-baited (the scented pedal even looks like a piece of cheese) and can be reused or disposed of as needed. There are no chemicals or poisons involved, so it’s safe to use in households with children and or pets so long as it’s out of the way of any accidental snaps. They come four in a package (you can also buy them in bulk where available) and are very reasonably priced.

These old-fashioned traps might be what first comes to mind when you think of a mouse trap, even though the mouse trap has certainly evolved and gotten more technical over time. But don’t confuse simplicity with ineffectiveness. “There is a reason they have been around for 100 years,” Leinneweber says. “My only advice with this style of trap is to keep your fingers out of the way.”

Type: Snap | Dimensions: 1 by 4.20 by 6.25 inches | Number of Traps Included: 12

There are two types of humane traps: those that allow you to release the mice back into the wild and those that kill instantly to prevent the animal from suffering. This electronic one from OWLTRA  is in the latter category. It is designed to trap multiple mice, delivering a high-voltage shock that quickly takes care of your issue. The Quick-Zap system is 100% guaranteed to do just that without the need for poison or chemicals as bait, so you can set these up anywhere inside your home without worry. The infrared sensors are even able to detect rodents, so you can rest assured that curious little fingers and paws won’t get zapped in the process.

All you have to do is load up a tiny bit of bait at the back of the trap—the manufacturer recommends peanut butter—and set it. Once a mouse wanders in, the magnetic latch closes so you won’t have to see what happens next. Shortly after, you can easily pull off the lid to dispose of the contents, then clean it up and set it out again. This electric trap needs four AA batteries to run and has plenty of power to trap and kill up to 60 rodents before replacing.

Type: Electric | Dimensions: 0.31 by 0.12 by 0.12 inches | Number of Traps Included: 1

If you have a mice problem rather than a mouse problem, then you need a trap that is ready for action. This flip-and-slide bucket line from RinneTraps is meant to be attached to a 5-gallon bucket, which you must purchase separately. It can capture multiple rodents and keep them there until you release them in a remote location. 

Here’s how it works: Curious mice climb the ramp, scamper over the weighted plank, and whoosh—the plank flips forward and captures the mouse. Once it does, It resets itself, ready for the next one to arrive. Now, it’s safe to say that if you need a 5-gallon bucket to capture the mice inside your home, it’s time to call a pro. That said, this might be better for outdoor areas and places like garages and barns where mice will frolic despite your best precautions. 

Type: Catch and release | Dimensions: 12 by 12 by 3 inches | Number of Traps Included: 1

If you want an end to your mouse problem without the carnage, this catch and release cage from Blinc is for you. This is a 100% humane option, although it does mean that you will have to keep an eye on it to release the trapped creature back into the wild as soon as possible. 

We’ll stop short of calling this mouse trap attractive, but the translucent blue design is rather nice. Even better, it’s designed for easy bait application, so you can get this in place and ready for mice in no time at all. The trap is made from lightweight yet durable ABS plastic, so it can withstand multiple uses. It can even capture multiple mice at a time—just be sure to release them far from your home so they don’t come back.

Type: Catch and release | Dimensions: 5 by 3 by 3 inches | Number of Traps Included: 1

An effective mouse trap is a good thing. Seeing the effects of that trap, however, is not a good thing. That’s why this electric trap from Victor—a more technologically advanced version of their classic device—is on our list. It makes quick work of capture and extermination, but it also keeps all of it out of sight. It’s an easy one to hide behind your kitchen trash can.

These opaque traps aren’t the most unobtrusive, but the advantage is that you won’t see a dead rodent in plain view. As such, this is a great option for kitchens or other high-traffic areas. A blinking light, which could be a bit more visible, alerts you when it’s time to empty the trap. While it is among the pricier ones on our list, this trap does come in a pack of two for added value.

Type: Electronic | Dimensions: 0.25 by 0.13 by 0.07 inches | Number of Traps Included: 2

To ward off larger mouse infestations, sometimes the better strategy is to put traps outdoors instead of indoors. If this is your situation, you’ll need a rugged, weather-resistant one like this from Tomcat. Just load it with one of the bait cartridges—it comes with 15 refills—and set it outside in an area where mice might wander. The mice will come in, nibble at the bait, exit, and die a few days later. Each bait cartridge has enough to last up to three rodents, and you can keep an eye on when it needs to be refilled with a glance at the window.

Type: Bait station | Dimensions: 9.69 by 3.38 by 6.25 inches | Number of Traps Included: 1 with 15 baits