Mice pose a serious risk to your family’s safety, and their presence in your home can lead to a host of issues, from property damage and food contamination to the spread of disease. Dealing with a mouse infestation is critical, but it’s just as important to ensure that your methods for getting rid of them are safe for your loved ones—especially if you have children or pets. After all, what’s dangerous for a mouse can be just as harmful to those you care about. Below are some family-friendly strategies for trapping mice without risking harm to your household.
Traditional snap traps are a popular and effective solution, but they must be placed where kids and pets can’t reach them. Consider positioning traps in hard-to-access areas like behind the fridge, under sinks, or behind the stove. Mice are drawn to hidden spaces like basement sill plates and suspended ceilings, which also tend to be out of reach. You can further protect your family by placing traps inside boxes with small holes, keeping curious hands and paws away. For a ready-made option, check out the Trap Rite Tunnel.
Many pest control companies now offer advanced "smart" traps. For example, Anticimex’s SMART Box can capture up to 40 mice or 7 rats without the need for toxic baits. It eliminates mice quickly and humanely while notifying the pest control company when there’s activity, so they can schedule a follow-up visit. This cutting-edge technology allows us to reach out to clients, saying, “We’ve detected mouse activity and need to come by,” rather than waiting for them to notice a problem. Viking Pest Control is proud to be the exclusive provider of Anticimex SMART technology in NJ, PA, DE, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
While glue traps may seem like a good alternative, they’re generally less effective than snap traps and can easily stick to unintended items. If you need to free something from a glue trap, a little vegetable oil will do the trick.
If you have pets, it's best to avoid rodenticide baits without professional help. Fortunately, many mouse traps are specifically designed to be safer for households with children and animals. These often feature one-way doors or hidden mechanisms to prevent accidental contact. Some excellent choices include the Trapper Hidden Kill, EZ Snap Mouse Bait Station, Victor Tin Cat, and Kness Ketch-All. Although these traps may be more expensive, they are durable and built to last.
Keep in mind that traps alone won’t solve the problem. To truly eliminate mice, you need to seal off their entry points. Any gap larger than ¼ inch is a potential access point, so inspect your home carefully. Cracks, holes, and spaces around utility lines are common entryways, as are gaps around doors and at the roofline—mice are excellent climbers. If your home has brick walls with weep holes, use specially designed covers that block mice without restricting airflow. Sealing these entry points is essential for long-term control.
When sealing gaps, choose the right materials. Expanding foam won’t stop mice, as they can easily chew through it. Instead, use products like Stuffit Copper Mesh or Xcluder Fill fabric, which are rust-resistant and ideal for outdoor or damp areas. You can also use appropriate sealants to hold everything in place. Steel wool can work in a pinch but tends to rust over time. For doorways, rodent-proof door sweeps and seals are a good investment—just avoid brush-style sweeps, as they are less effective.
If you're seeking more humane options, traditional snap traps remain a solid choice. They provide a quick, clean kill and are more reliable than glue traps.
Live traps, though they sound humane, often do more harm than good. Mice released into the wild have low survival rates due to a lack of food, shelter, or established territory. And if your home isn’t properly sealed, they’ll simply come back. While it might seem kinder to release a mouse, it often faces greater suffering from exposure and starvation. In many cases, it's more humane to quickly dispatch the mouse rather than leave it to those harsh conditions.
If dealing with mice feels overwhelming or you're unsure of how to safeguard your home and loved ones, Viking Pest Control is here to help. Our team uses advanced, humane methods like Anticimex SMART technology to keep your home free from rodents without relying on harmful chemicals. We’ll conduct a thorough inspection, seal off entry points, and ensure long-term protection. Let us restore your peace of mind—contact Viking Pest Control, and we’ll handle the problem quickly and safely so you don’t have to.