Mouse Caught in a Cage

10.29.2003 - I caught this mouse in a cage today. The customer had a problem with scratching noises in the attic, running and scampering noises at night, in the walls and ceiling. I was called out to investigate. When my inspection of the attic yielded a mouse infestation, the customer seemed crestfallen. "I don't want to kill the mice!" she said, "can't you just use some sort of mouse repellent?" I told her the truth, that there's no such thing as an effective mouse repellant. Many are sold online, and most of them consist of some sort of flakes or powder, most likely composed of mothballs or doused with animal urine. While these products don't smell very good, they also don't work. I've already worked in an attic that contained 50 pounds of mothballs (ten 5-pound boxes), and it reeked up there, but the scent did nothing to drive the rodents out, and it only gave the homeowner headaches.

Because there's no such thing as an effective repellant, I did what I always do - I solve the problem for real, and permanently at that, by finding and repairing all the open spots on the outside of the house that rats and mice can use to gain access to the attic. Once that's done, the majority of the problem is solved.

It's then usually a matter of setting snap traps in the attic, which are by far the most effective (and most humane, in my opinion) means of catching the rats or mice. But for this particular customer, I set six cage traps in the attic. It's harder to set cage traps, because I'm more limited in the nooks and crannies I can set them, the tension on the trip pans must be just right, and cages are less effective. In addition, a mouse in a cage can't be left alone for days on end, starving, dehydrating, or getting heat stroke in an attic. Whereas snap traps can go unchecked for a few days, cage traps must be checked every day, at an extra cost to the customer. She agreed, and I checked every day, and sure enough, I caught the mice in the traps, as shown in the above close-up photo. After a few more days and no more fresh catches, the job was complete, and her mouse problem solved for good. She could have applied all the mouse repellants in the world to her house and attic, and it wouldn't have done a lick of good.

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Scratching noises behind the wall, the pitter-patter of little feet running, hearing tiny squeals when the house is quiet, the slam of a small metal door and frantic shuffling—you've just caught a mouse in a cage. Now what?

What Does a Mouse Caught in a Cage Mean?
As they say, there's never just one. If you catch a single mouse, you can bet there are many more lurking behind the walls. A mouse caught in a cage doesn't necessarily mean you have a full-grown infestation, but it does mean these little rodents are wandering around your home and most likely mating.

Unfortunately, a single mouse caught in a cage doesn't solve your problem. You'll have to find a way to get rid of it and the others. Also, don't bother with mouse repellents as they rarely have lasting effects. Ways to Get Rid of a Mouse Caught in a Cage

Place More Cages
Rarely does anyone stumble upon a mouse caught in a cage, meaning you must have placed the cage. Releasing the mouse won't work, as it'll come right back into your home. You'll have to kill it in one way or another. Placing cages at the entrances the mice in your home use might deter them to the point that they leave, but it's not likely. And cages can get expensive, not to mention having to get rid of the caught mice.

Place Traps and Poison
Once a mouse in caught in a cage, it's a good sign there are more mice around. Now's the time to start placing traps and poison around, hoping it reaches their nest. Be careful with poison, though, as it's toxic to humans and pets.

Call a Professional
Professionals do the painful work for you. If you have a mouse caught in a cage, call a local exterminator, pest control, or wildlife removal service. They will give you tips on what to do or come and take care of the problem, themselves. A professional will get to the heart of the problem, which is the quickest and less painstaking method. Taking care of one caught mouse is only a symptom of a much larger problem, so call on a pro to get the real issue taken care of quickly.