How Do I Dispose of a Dead Mouse?

How Do I Dispose of a Dead Mouse?

Success with a mouse or rat trap will also mean that you’re then responsible for a rather unpleasant task — It’s up to you to dispose of the rodent that’s been caught.

To begin, it’s important to understand that you shouldn’t handle a mouse or rat directly – dead or alive. In fact, don’t even handle its nesting material or feces if you find them. Why? Rats and mice can transmit a number of diseases to humans – hantavirus, hemorrhagic fever, rat-bite fever, bubonic plague, salmonella and more. With that in mind, keep yourself safe and follow these guidelines.

Electronic Mouse Traps with Disposable Refill Chambers

Of course, if you want to completely avoid the problem of disposing of a dead mouse, you can try the Victor® Electronic Mouse Trap with Disposable Refill Chambers, which offers a no-touch, no-see cleanup experience.

How Do I Dispose of a Dead Mouse?

Victor® mouse trap should never be touched directly. Instead, follow these directions:

  1. Put on a pair of rubber gloves.
  2. Spray the dead mouse and the immediate area with a disinfectant or bleach-and-water mixture.
  3. Place the mouse in a plastic bag. You may save the trap for future use or throw it out as well.
  4. Place any mouse-soiled objects in the bag including feces, nesting material, or food.
  5. Seal the bag. Do not push out the extra air from the bag, doing so may spread germs, bacteria, or viruses that the mouse is carrying.
  6. Place the sealed bag in another bag and seal it, too.
  7. Throw the bag in the trash.
  8. Wash gloved hands with soap and water or spray disinfectant on them.
  9. Remove gloves and throw them into the trash.
  10. Wash your hands after removing the gloves.
How to dispose of a dead mouse caught in a a mouse trap

Releasing a Live Mouse from a Humane Mouse Trap

Victor® also offers several live mouse traps for those who wish to control their rodent problems humanely. To release a live mouse, follow these instructions:

  1. Put on rubber gloves.
  2. Visually inspect the trap for signs of mice inside. You may also be able to hear them inside.
  3. Place the trap in a box or bucket and transport it at least 2 miles from your home.
  4. With a barrier, such as a log or other object, put between your feet and the trap, make sure you wear rubber gloves and turn the trap over so it opens downward and allows the mice inside to fall out. The barrier should keep the mice inside from running toward you upon release. Don’t worry, the mice won’t be injured by such a short fall.
  5. Clean your trap of any feces or debris.
  6. Reset the trap if needed.
  7. Wash your hands with a disinfectant while wearing the gloves, remove them, and throw them away.
  8. Wash your bare hands with disinfectant or warm, soapy water.

Where Can You Release Live Mice?

If you use a live mouse trap, you should plan ahead for the best places to release them. Look for an uninhabited area at least 2 miles from your home so they don’t find a way back.

Don’t release them where they can become someone else’s problem, though. With that in mind, avoid releasing them near homes, farms, businesses, parks, or abandoned buildings. Instead, look for areas with lots of vegetation and cover.

The Hygienic Mouse Trap

If you don’t want to risk any contact with a disease-carrying mouse, the Victor® Kill Vault Mouse Trap completely seals the mouse inside. When the trap indicates it has been activated, dispose of the whole unit.

This trap is designed to be totally sanitary, preventing you from ever touching – or even seeing – a dead mouse.

Your Solutions to Getting Rid of Mice

Do you have any questions about disposing of dead mice? Got any ideas about humanely releasing a live mouse? Leave your thoughts with us the next time your visit Victor® on Facebook!

For more articles on rodent control and exclusive updates on products, subscribe to the Victor eNewsletter.

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