The best mouse traps we hope you never need

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It happened — you spotted a mouse. If you’re anything like me, your first instinct (after screaming) may be to pack your luggage and find a new place to live. Of course, that’s not realistic. A better option is finding a way to evict your new rodent roommate.

You can certainly call a pest control company to handle the job, or you can grab the best mouse traps you can find and do it yourself (or attempt it yourself while you wait for pest control). Whatever path you choose, I collected some tips from exterminators so that you have options. I’m also sharing what they say to look for in a mouse or rodent trap, as well as tips on how to tell if you have an infestation in the first place.

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The best mouse traps and rodent killers of 2026

Best snap trap

Victor Mouse Traps, 12-pack

Both experts I spoke with recommend snap traps as the most user-friendly option on the market. These wooden traps have an indoor pedal that you put bait on — like a small piece of cheese or a schmear of peanut butter. When the mouse goes to eat the bait, it immediately triggers the bar to snap closed for quick rodent elimination, according to the brand.

Best glue trap

Catchmaster Max-Catch Mouse & Insect Glue Trap

This pack comes with 36 glue traps. They are scented to attract rodents. When the mouse crawls inside the box, it gets stuck to the strong glue on the bottom, and then you can dispose of the trap and vermin. When used inside, the traps can last up to a year, according to the brand.

Best electric trap

Owltra OW-2 Indoor Electric Mouse Trap

Electric traps work by drawing the mouse into a tunnel (you place bait inside to attract them) and then zapping them with electricity. Each trap requires two AA batteries . The traps have a magnetic lid that you can easily pull off to dump the mouse in the trash. The electricity automatically deactivates when the lid is off to keep you safe.

Best live catch-and-release trap

Motel Mouse No Kill Traps

Prefer to release your mouse once you catch it? Place bait on one side of this trap and open the trap door. When a mouse enters, the door shuts and traps the mouse. The tube-like trap has ventilation holes to keep the mouse comfortable until you’re able to release it back into the wild.

Best repellent

Grandpa Gus's Extra-Strength Mouse Repellent Pouches

While this repellent won’t catch mice once you already have them, it can keep them away and prevent you from developing a rodent problem. These sachets are filled with cinnamon and peppermint — two scents that naturally repel rodents, according to the brand. You can place them throughout your house and garage to keep mice away.

Best reusable trap

Vrxvr Quickset Mousetraps

These plastic snap traps are easy to clean and are intended to be reused, potentially saving you money. They have powerful springs and a large mouth to catch rodents of all sizes, according to the brand. If you do catch a mouse, the trap is designed so that you can just squeeze the end of the trap to drop the mouse in the trash. In other words, you don’t have to come in contact with the mouse.

How I picked the best mouse traps and rodent killers

When shopping for mouse traps and rodent killers, according to experts, there are multiple factors you should keep in mind. Here is what they suggest:

What causes a mouse problem?

According to experts, every house has what rodents look for — food and shelter. Of course, not every house has a mouse problem. “The real difference-maker is how easy it is for a mouse to get into a home,” says Carpenter. “If there is easy access — like gaps around doors, pipes or vents — you are literally inviting them in and telling them to make themselves comfortable.”

These gaps don’t even have to be big for them to get inside, either. “Rodents utilize dime-sized openings in foundation walls and vents and garage doors as their pathways,” says Juan Rezk, chief marketing officer at Certus Pest in Tampa, Florida. “Easy food availability, like an improperly sealed pantry or an open bag of birdseed in the garage, also serves as a welcoming entrance for rodents.”

How do you know if you have a mouse or rodent issue?

“If you have a cat, it may notice mice before you do by staring at the same wall or sniffing around one corner,” says Carpenter. If you don’t have a cat, Carpenter says looking for droppings can help determine if mice are around. “They look like small black pellets, similar in size to grains of rice.”

Another common sign you have a rodent issue: “At night, you’ll often hear wall scratching sounds,” says Rezk, who adds that even if you only see one mouse, it usually indicates there are many more somewhere. “Mice are creatures that live in social groups, and they reproduce rapidly.”

Once you identify that you have a mouse problem, the first thing you should do is lock away all food sources, clean and block any entry points in your home. “Use steel wool or caulk to seal entry points around your home,” says Rezk. If you can’t locate where the rodents are getting in or the problem feels bigger than something a few traps will solve, professional assistance may be necessary.

Meet our pest control experts

At NBC Selected, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Why trust NBC Selected?

I’m a commerce editor at NBC Selected and a journalist who regularly covers topics like home and lifestyle. I’ve also reported on other home topics like bed bugs and vacuum storage bags . For this story, I interviewed two pest control experts and gathered mouse trap options that align with their guidance.

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