Can You Reuse Mouse Traps? Essential Tips

by Derrick | Last Updated: August 20, 2021

Mice are small rodents that are found around the world and usually live in every type of terrain. They love making their homes in attics, basements, wall voids, and under cabinets, which can be unsanitary since they tend to carry bacteria and deadly diseases. However, how can we handle these animals? Are mouse traps effective, and can we reuse them?

Homeowners typically prefer reusable traps since they are cost-effective in the long run. Still, to use them, it is necessary to clean the device since mice will smell the odor of the previous victim and be cautious of it. This is why some people advise not to reuse them.

This article will briefly review some advantages and disadvantages of reusing snap traps, how to clean them appropriately, how often you throw them away, the types of mouse traps that can not be reused, and some common mistakes people tend to make when catching mice.

Can You Reuse Mouse Traps?

The reason why many homeowners may think of reusing mouse traps is that, aside from taking care of the environment, it is also cost-effective in the long run. However, how many times can we reuse the same snap traps until it is no longer functional?

Based on a study conducted by National Pest Management in 2014, 29% of American households have experienced rodents and infestation issues at least one time. It also found that around half of those pests typically occurred around fall and winter.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of reusing mouse traps:

Advantages

Cost-effective and eco-friendly: if you reuse mouse traps, you can save some money by doing this instead of having to purchase a new one every time. Many reusable mouse traps allow you to use them many times and clean them easily. You are also contributing to reducing waste and helping the environment.
Reliability: it is easy to keep them clean and reuse them which makes them highly reliable.

Retains the scent: Because used mouse traps tend to retain the scent of the rodents, the odor becomes familiar to them, making them more likely to approach the trap.

Disadvantages

Wear and tear: regardless of many mouse traps claiming to be reliable, eventually, it will start to show signs of wear and tear, which may lower its effectiveness.

Constant cleanup: as you may know, reusing traps that have already captured mice can require a lot of cleanup due to the blood and bacteria, which may lather. This is why reusing snap traps without cleaning is exceptionally unhygienic and dangerous.
Disease and dirt accumulated: depending on how severe the bleeding can be depending on the type of mouse trap, bacteria and germs can grow if you leave the dead body deteriorating in the trap.

This is why sometimes investing in expensive traps is no longer affordable in the long run. However, reusing mouse straps can be possible depending on the type you choose.

Types of Mousetraps

There is a wide variety of mouse traps that are available and that are reusable, but it is best to select one that causes minor bleeding. Aside from that, something to take into consideration is how easy it is to clean since it will determine if you can reuse them.

Here is a brief list of the best types of mouse traps that are reusable and great for homes:

1.Snap Traps: one of the most traditional ways of capturing mice and effective since it instantly kills the mouse with the bar coming down at its neck. It is also considered a more humane and faster way of catching rodents since they don’t experience harm nor panic.

It is recommended to buy plastic snap traps instead of wooden ones since they are easier to clean and reuse. However, it is necessary to be cautious with them, especially in a home with pets and children, since it can cause injuries and be triggered by the slightest movement.

2. Live traps: it is often used as a way to capture animals or mice by imprisonment in a box, and it is more humane. In addition to this, they are reusable and easy to clean since it is made up of metal and it also allows the mouse to move until it is released.

Something to take into consideration when selecting these types of traps is that you must drive far away to let them go into the wild since they can quickly come back to their nest.

3. Electronic traps: this is a convenient substitute to traditional snap traps since it immediately kills the mouse utilizing high-voltage shock. It possesses advanced and intelligent circuit technology, making it easier to detect the rodent and quickly eliminate them. The best thing is that they are reusable and easy to clean by removing the batteries, wiping the metal place, and drying.

A drawback is the prices, which typically tend to be expensive. Also, it is necessary to avoid high-moisture areas since this device utilizes electricity which means they should be dry to prevent short-circuit.

Reusable mouse traps brands

Now that we have reviewed the various types of mouse traps that can be reused, the following list will present the most well-known reusable mouse traps brands to choose from.

Authenzo Humane Mouse Trap captures mice without causing harm or pain; it is a safer choice if the home has children and pets. Most importantly, it is reusable since you can release them outside, clean them, and place the bait in the food compartment to attract more rodents.
Tomcat Reusable Mouse Traps: this is a safer, non-poisonous way to capture mice. Besides, it is proven to be effective and better around kids and pets compared to wood traps. It is reusable and easy to clean.
Catcha 2 Piece Human Mouse Trap: it is a live catch and release trap that has two units. Aside from this, it is very cost-effective since it is a great reusable alternative to catching mice without killing them.

Intruder 30442 The Better Mousetrap usually comes in a pack of six and has an effortless design, making it highly effective, easy to clean, and reusable. It has a stainless steel build, making it durable as well.

How to Clean Mousetraps

Now that we have reviewed the various types of mouse traps and the benefits of reusing them, we will see how to properly clean them to keep them hygienic and ready to use appropriately without reducing their effectiveness.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean reusable mouse traps:

Wear protective gear first and gather every necessary cleaning equipment, such as disinfectant, trash bags, face masks, and sponge.
Spray the area with disinfectant and pick up the mouse’s carcass from the trap with the gloves on. Then, dispose of the dead rodent inside a trash bag.
Remove excess saliva, bodily fluids, blood, and bait from the mouse tap by rinsing it with water and cleaning with soap. Scrub it thoroughly with the sponge, and then let the mousetrap dry.

Finally, disinfect the trap and the area with an enzyme cleaner. Let it sit for fifteen minutes until the chemical has broken down any material in the area.

Common mistakes with mouse traps

It is prevalent for people to commit mistakes when placing or using mouse traps, reducing its effectiveness. Here are some of the most common ones and how to avoid them:

Ruining the bait: mice are clever, and they can tell your scent on the traps you have touched, so it is best to keep your hands away from it and use gloves to prepare the food.
Using the wrong food to attract them: Mice are attracted to peanut butter and hazelnuts, which have a more pungent smell that draws them to the trap.
Not using enough mouse traps: because mice tend to reproduce quickly, you will need more mouse traps to stop their invasion.

Conclusion

To summarize everything stated in this article, you can reuse mouse traps as long as you clean them properly to prevent bacteria from spreading and diminishing their effectiveness. This is why it is vital to disinfect the device by soaking it with an enzyme cleaner or three tablespoons of bleach to make it reusable.