Are Snap Traps Humane?

Are snap traps humane? Yes, snap traps are considered humane to rodents, including rats and mice. However, they can potentially injure non-target animals, such as pets. Many people use traps to deal with rats and mice. Some methods can be cruel and cause a lot of suffering, such as glue traps, which you should never use for rodent control.

Are Snap Traps Humane?

Snap traps are considered humane. Nevertheless, some people will still argue that they are inhumane since it takes the critters’ lives, leaving them with no second chance. Snap traps are generally a quicker way to catch mice or rats. These traps come in various sizes for different rodents.

You have to choose a reliable and well-made trap to completely capture the rodents inside the trap when it’s triggered. Snap traps, when used correctly, provide a fast and humane way to kill mice or rats. After use, you can clean them and use them again.

These tips will make it easier to set traps:

1. Put the bait only where there’s a mark for it, and make sure the trap is food-free everywhere else. This way, it’s less likely to hurt the animal without catching it. You can use peanut butter, dried fruit, or fresh bread as bait. If the traps aren’t working, try changing the bait to see if it attracts the animal.
2. Place the traps next to a wall, not across from it, and make sure they touch the wall. Put them where the rodent usually runs, such as a path. Make sure to set the trap inside a tunnel or funnel made from strong stuff to guide the rodent into it.

You have to regularly check the traps you set at night. If you find trapped rodents, make sure they are not suffering; otherwise, quickly and humanely eliminate them with a strong blow to the head. If the traps do not work, try a different type of snap trap.

Snap Trap Substitutes

Live traps

Some people prefer live traps to catch rats and mice without hurting them. The effectiveness and humaneness of a live trap depend on the design and whether the rodents inside have food, water, and a cozy place to stay to prevent them from getting hungry, thirsty, or too cold. Live traps should be built so that they don’t hurt the animals when they close. You should always make sure they won’t catch the animal’s tail or limbs.

Make sure to check your live traps every morning. If you find captured rodents, you either release them in a good place or asphyxiate them. Don’t leave them to suffer in the live trap. If letting them go won’t work well, it might be a better option to use quick and gentle euthanasia. You can also take the animal in the live trap to the nearest vet clinic for a humane elimination procedure.

Make Your Property Rodent Proof

When you live near forests, parks, or open lands, you might encounter mice in your home. Old buildings with cracks and crevices can also be a welcoming space for rats and mice. However, there are simple and budget-friendly steps you can take to prevent these rodents from entering your home.

1. Store all open food in sturdy containers made of metal, glass, or thick plastic, and make sure the lids fit tightly. Place these containers in your cupboards and pantry.
2. If there’s leftover pet food, either throw it away or store it in a sealed container.
3. Pick up and dispose of all food scraps, trash, and litter both inside and outside your home. Use strong, durable bins for disposal.
4. Use bins made of metal or tough plastic for all your garbage, and ensure the lids fit tightly.
5. On trash collection days, put your trash outside in the morning. Avoid leaving trash bags or bins on the sidewalk overnight.
6. Clear out any weeds, clutter, or debris near your home and yard to eliminate potential hiding spots for rodents.
7. Check that all your windows have screens that are in good condition, with no holes or tears.
8. Keep your outside doors closed, and consider using metal trim to prevent rodents from chewing through and entering your home.
9. Regularly inspect your basement, garage, and other areas for any holes, and seal them up to keep rodents out.
10. Elevate items like firewood or garden equipment on platforms with space underneath, making it difficult for rodents to find hiding spots. Also, get rid of any unnecessary items that could provide shelter for these pests.

Rodenticide as a Substitute

Rodenticides, which include anticoagulants and cholecalciferol, are used to kill rodents. While effective, they result in a slow and painful death for the animals, taking several days and causing significant suffering. These poisons can also pose a danger to other animals, including pets, who might ingest them directly or consume poisoned rodents. In light of these issues and various legal restrictions on the use of rodenticides, many organizations strongly advise against their use by non-professionals.

Do Not Use Glue Traps

Glue traps, which are sticky boards used to catch rodents, cause immense and prolonged suffering to the animals they trap. This level of suffering is entirely unacceptable and inhumane. Glue traps are already banned or heavily restricted in several countries, including New Zealand, India, and Ireland, due to their cruelty. Even the authorities in England, Wales, and Scotland are considering bans or significant restrictions on glue traps.

Glue traps are also a risk to other animals that may accidentally come into contact with them. So, never use glue traps in outdoor settings or in any area where other animals or people may have access to them. Compared to glue traps, snap traps are a more humane option for dealing with rodent problems.

Contact Your Local Pest Control Professional

While snap traps are humane, there are times when they do not kill the captured rodent. When you catch a rodent, you have to be ready to humanely kill it, like by hitting it on the head. Drowning or other painful methods could get you in trouble under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in the UK, for example.

If you are not sure how to deal with a trapped rodent in a snap trap, call a professional pest controller. They are trained and know how to handle the situation properly. Before you choose a pest controller, talk to them about using humane methods, such as avoiding rodenticides or glue traps. If they cannot explain their methods or refuse to try the humane options first, look for another one who will.