Live Mouse Traps: Catch Mice with Multi-Catch Live Trap; Tin Cat Mouse Master

Mice can be captured with different types of live traps, each trap having its own characteristics that make them desirable for different customers in various settings.

Pest control operators involved in mouse control for warehouses, restaurants and commercial food handling operations have been using the Multi-Catch Mouse Trap and Mouse Master live traps for many years. Both of these traps are capable of capturing and holding several live mice without having to reset or empty the devices.

The Mouse Master is what is called a "wind up" mouse trap, meaning that it has a winding wheel attached to a spring. As a mouse enters the trap it triggers the mechanism to move the mouse into a compartment where the mouse cannot escape. As many as 10 or 12 mice can be captured before the trap needs to be emptied. At that time the Mouse Master is re-set by winding the wheel and the trap is placed back into the proper place where more mice can be caught. Care should be taken when setting this trap! If wound too tightly, the trap will not operate as designed. A Mouse Master in this condition will not smoothly transfer the mouse to the holding department of the trap. Instead, the first mouse that enters the device will be jammed between the wheel and the box which usually kills the mouse and inhibits the mouse master from capturing more mice.
The Mouse Master is a trap that is generally considered to be a humane live trap but if not set correctly that is no longer the case. If you over-wind the trap mechanism, you will kill mice instead of capturing them in the live trap.
Each Mouse Master is constructed with a clear window that lets you know if the trap needs to be emptied and re-set. Captured rodents that are not released in a timely manner will often die from lack of food and water or other nearby conditions.
Place the Mouse Master against any wall where mice are known to travel or forage. When putting out the traps, make sure that the entrance holes are not facing a wall.

The Multi-Catch Mouse Trap is also capable of capturing and holding multiple mice but without the problems often encountered with the Mouse Master. Safeguard Multi-Catch Mouse Trap and Victor Tin Cat are examples of multi-catch live mouse traps. A Multi-Catch (or Tin Cat) is not as tall as the Mouse Master, making it a low-profile trap.
The Multi-Catch Mouse Trap is constructed in a manner that allows mice to enter the trap from both ends. When a mouse enters this trap it does so by crawling through an opening which has a mechanism or door that has a "see-saw" action, making it a one way door - the mice walk in but cannot walk out. One of the advantages of a multiple catch live trap is the curiosity of mice. Once a couple of mice are captured, they will communicate with sounds that attract other mice. Many professionals (upon finding a trap filled with mice) will take out all but one of the captured rodents. By leaving one mouse in the trap more mice will be attracted to the device. Those involved in rodent control know that mice are curious but rats are not. This knowledge can be used to your advantage in any rodent removal operation.
This trap has a clear lid that allows for inspection, letting you know when the trap needs to be emptied. If left in the same location for more than a week and no mice have been caught, the trap should either be relocated or made more attractive by leaving food of some sort in the trap. A half piece of chocolate candy bar, a few sunflower seeds, a small amount of dried dog food or other food can help entice mice the device.
A miniature version of the Tin Cat is called the Mini-Cat. This little trap will capture and hold a couple of mice at a time and is much smaller than other live traps. The Mini-Cat has had some success but has not been as successful or as popular as the Tin Cat or Safeguard Multi Catch mouse trap. Most of our customers that purchase the Tin Cat or Mouse Master are dealing with large numbers of mice in large buildings and (usually) on a continuous basis.