Remove a live mouse from a glue trap

Content

To step
Part 1 of 3: Remove the mouse in one piece
Part 2 of 3: Releasing the mouse into the wild
Part 3 of 3: Keeping mice out of your home
Warnings

Glue traps are a type of rodent trap that some people use to catch mice, rats, and other critters. The trap consists of a blade covered with very sticky glue, and these types of traps can pose a danger to pets, children, wild animals and any animals that come into contact with them. Animals trapped in a glue trap will die a long, painful death from exhaustion, starvation, dehydration, injury, or exposure if not rescued. Fortunately, if you find a mouse or other animal in a glue trap, you can easily free the animal. The trick is to use vegetable oil to loosen the glue.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Remove the mouse in one piece

Protect yourself with gloves. Rodents carry dangerous diseases and can transmit them to humans. To protect yourself from bites, scratches and contamination, it is important to wear a pair of thick gloves.
- Suitable gloves for this task are work gloves, rose gardening gloves, or high-quality leather gloves.
Place the mouse in a holder. Lift the trap with the mouse and carefully place it in a clear plastic container or box. The container must have an area slightly greater than that of the trap and must be at least 10 cm deep.
Cover the mouse with a towel. Use an old rag or towel that you can throw away later. Gently place the towel over the mouse's head to keep it calm. Place one hand over the mouse, near the shoulders, and gently hold the mouse in place as you work.
Pour vegetable oil on the trap. Concentrate the oil on the points where the mouse is stuck. Use as little oil as possible and avoid pouring the oil directly on the mouse. Use a cotton swab or cloth to rub the oil into the glue.
- You can also use cooking spray or baby oil as a last option, but liquid vegetable oil is ideal for this task.
Free the mouse. Keep rubbing the oil on the areas around the mouse for several minutes. Eventually the glue will come off and the mouse can free itself from the trap. Once the mouse is free, remove the trap from the holder.
- Dispose of the trap in a plastic bag and seal the bag before throwing it in the trash.
Wipe off excess oil. Soak an old rag or cloth in warm water and wring it out. Use the cloth to wipe off any excess oil on the legs, head, or body of the mouse.
- Oil prevents the mouse from regulating its body temperature, so it is important to remove as much as possible.
Give the mouse time to rest. Place a small bowl of fresh water in the holder near the mouse. Cover the holder with a large towel to make the inside of the holder dark, warm and quiet. Give the mouse at least an hour to rest and relax.
Call a wildlife shelter or a vet. If possible, the mouse should be transferred to a specialist for care. If that's not possible to give the mouse to a shelter or vet, ask the specialist what you can do regarding:
- Treat the mouse with oil
- Grooming the mouse
- Release the mouse into the wild

Part 2 of 3: Releasing the mouse into the wild

Choose a location nearby. If you can't hand over the mouse to an animal specialist, you can search for a location in the wild to release the mouse. If you catch a wild mouse near your house, always release it within 90 meters of where you found it.
- Releasing the mouse nearby ensures that it is in familiar territory and can find food, water, and shelter.
- Ideal locations for release are nearby parks, forests, fields or other green areas.
- In winter, consider placing the mouse in the shed or garage until the weather outside is more suitable.
Move the mouse to the location you have chosen. Leave the towel over the retainer and carefully walk or drive to the chosen release location. Avoid shaking the container as much as possible as this will cause stress and panic.
Release the mouse. Place the holder on the ground near some bushes, logs, tall grass or other shelter so that the mouse can quickly find a safe place. Remove the towel, gently turn the holder on its side and step backwards. When the mouse feels safe, it will leave the container and seek shelter.
Disinfect the used objects. Discard the towels and wipes you used to treat the mouse or wash them separately in the washing machine along with the gloves. Use a hot cycle and add bleach to sanitize it all. Use a disinfectant spray to sanitize or dispose of the container.
Wash your hands. Turn on the tap and wash your hands under running water. Use soap and rub your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to also rub under your nails, the backs of your hands, and between your fingers. Rinse your hands under the water and dry them with a clean towel.

Part 3 of 3: Keeping mice out of your home

Seal access points to your home. Mice can crawl through openings as small as a dime. Go through your house and note all cracks, holes, vents and other entry points. Seal these with metal or cement to prevent mice and other rodents from entering.
- It's also a good idea to put screens around chimneys, attach weatherstripping to doors and windows, and repair holes in window screens.
Eliminate shelter and hiding places. Mice and other rodents often hide or make their burrows, piles of wood, scrubs and other things that are stored near your home. Keep shrubs and long grass under control, trim branches overhanging the roof, and store firewood, barbecues, patio furniture, and other items at least 20 feet from your house.
Remove food and water sources. Mice eat anything, including leftovers, trash, crumbs, pet food, seeds, fruit, and more. There are many steps you can take to ensure that mice do not find a food source in or around your home:
- Store food in airtight glass containers
- Clean floors, counters and pantries regularly
- Store pet food and trash in rodent-resistant containers
- Clean up fallen birdseed
- Pick fresh fruits and vegetables right away
- Repair leaks, resolve moisture stains, and block other sources of fresh water