How an Electric Mouse Trap Works

Also known as a Rat Trapper, an electric mouse trap can capture mice, rats and other unwanted rodents that enter your home.  Electric traps are simple to use and ensure death.  No harsh chemicals or violent snaps are needed for these traps; the rodent simply completes a circuit that sends a jolt of electricity through the body strong enough to kill.

Most homeowners purchase single kill traps when setting up an electric mouse trap.  These units are designed to kill one mouse or critter at a time.  Once a mouse is trapped and killed inside, it must be emptied and reset before another mouse can be trapped.  A homeowner will need to put the bait (cheese or chocolate works best) at one end of the trap and close the door.  Leave the other side of the box open and wait for a rodent to enter the box.  Once it touches both sides of the box in efforts to get the bait, a complete circuit will electrocute to death.

Business owners set up commercial electrical mouse traps.  These traps are designed to kill more than one mouse at a time and only need to be emptied every week or month, depending on the number of rodents.  The mouse will enter, just like a single kill trap but commercial traps have a longer tunnel and many holding cells connected to the tunnel.  Bait is placed on one end of the trap.  When a mouse enters the tunnel to get to the bait, he will touch at least one side of the tunnel wall, which will send an electrical shock through his body.  This shock is usually not enough to kill the mouse.  He will stumble, trying to get out of the tunnel and go into one of the holding cells, where he will be trapped.  The mouse remains in this cell until he starves to death.  Although this form of entrapment does not sound very humane, it is one of the most efficient ways to eliminate rodents in a large office building.