How Long Does it Take for a Mouse to Die in a Snap Trap?


Snap traps are designed to kill mice instantly. This method of rodent control is very humane as it guarantees mice a swift and painless death.

how long takes mouse to die in snap trap

How Long Does it Take for a Mouse to Die in a Snap Trap?

When a mouse does not die instantly after being caught by a snap trap, the setup was probably faulty. Such mice are either caught on the hip or limb. They may last up to a day or more before giving up.


Death is usually a result of exhaustion, dehydration, and starvation. In cases where mice escape by tearing a limb, they should die within 24 hours or more.

What To Do If a Mouse is Still Alive in a Snap Trap?

While it may take days for a mouse to die on a snap trap, you can speed up the process and save it from agony by:

1. Asphyxiation By CO2

Asphyxiation by CO2 is by far the most humane way to kill a stuck mouse looking forward to death. The procedure requires a CO2 chamber, a euthanasia chamber, and a hose to connect both chambers.


  • To get started, you need supplies such as protective gloves, a sealable plastic container, a sealable plastic bag, baking soda, and vinegar.  
  • Prepare the CO2 chamber by mixing baking soda and vinegar to create a 30%-40% concentration.
  • Release the trapped mouse and place him or her in the other container (euthanasia chamber) and connect both with a hose. 

The mouse will be unable to breathe after exposure to CO2 and eventually die a painless death. 

2. A Powerful Blow To The Head

If a snap trap fails to kill a mouse instantly, a powerful blow to the head should get the job done. This can be done while the mouse is still stuck but it is safer and tidier to place him or her in a plastic bag first.

  • You need your gloves, a plastic bag, and a hammer to execute this procedure. 
  • Put on your gloves and release the stuck mouse into a sealable plastic bag. 
  • Fold the bag until it brings out the mouse’s shape. Locate the head and strike it powerfully with a hammer. 
  • Dispose of the mouse and every material used properly.

Note: This method is only advisable for the broken-hearted.

3. Cervical Dislocation

The steps involved in cervical dislocation are very similar to that of death via a powerful blow to the head. The only difference is that you will be doing the killing with your hands instead of a hammer.

  • Ensure you have your gloves on and a sealable plastic bag within. 
  • Place the stuck mouse in the sealable plastic bag and twist it until you have the mouse in your hand. 
  • Place your hand just behind the head (close to the neck region) and pull it in the opposite direction of the body to decapitate it. 
  • Dispose of all material used properly in thrash and wash your hands with soap and water.

4. Release Into the Wild

This is rarely the case because snap traps are designed to seriously injure once they fail to kill. However, if a mouse is extremely active after release (outside your home), you may opt to release him or her into the wild instead of a death sentence.

Snap Traps Mistakes To Avoid

Snap traps are eco-friendly and humane. However, there is room for errors when setting them up. 

These errors may result in not killing mice instantly, leaving you to decide on the most humane solution. Most common errors include:

1. Ruining the Bait

You can easily ruin a bait by handling it with your bare hands. This (your scent) contaminates the natural smell of the bait which mice can easily detect and avoid. To prevent this, use gloves when placing baits in the designated areas. Otherwise, your snap trap would seem ineffective.

2. Wrong Food Choice

While mice love cheese, they can be chopped off snap traps without getting caught. Foods like peanut butter and chocolates have a better record in luring and ensuring the capture of mice. Use them as bait instead.  

3. Too Much Bait

Excess bait usually results in the presence of bait outside the bait area. When mice have access to the bait without getting to the bait area, they might just trigger the trap without getting caught. All you need is pea-sized peanut butter in the bait section.

4. Expecting Instant Results

Mice are great at detecting new items within your home. One way to outsmart them is by allowing them to eat the bait (on snap traps) for free for the first few days. They will get used to this and have no idea when you switch the game. Using more than one trap and placing them in the right locations will also aid in quick results.

References

  1. https://thanoshome.com/are-humane-mouse-traps-really-humane/
  2. https://www.cdc.gov/rodents/prevent_infestations/trap_up.html
  3. https://www.fwpest.com/blog/glue-traps-vs-snap-traps
  4. https://www.victorpest.com/articles/mouse-trap-mistakes
  5. https://trapme.io/8-advantages-of-using-snap-traps-for-mouse-control/