mousetrap

Mousetrap refers to a device designed to kill or capture mice. It is widely used in homes, farms, and commercial facilities as a form of pest control. The term can also refer to a board game from the 1960s.

Traditional mousetraps are mechanical devices using a baited trigger to release a spring-loaded bar that strikes quickly. Variants include snap traps, electronic traps that deliver a quick electric shock, glue traps that immobilize mice, and live traps that capture mice without harming them. Traps come in reusable and single-use designs, and a range of sizes is available to target different rodent populations.

The modern snap trap was developed in the late 19th century and became widespread in the 20th century. Commercial versions were marketed by companies such as Woodstream (Victor brand) in the United States. Traps are commonly sold in hardware stores, agricultural supply shops, and online retailers.

Safety and welfare considerations include placing traps away from children and pets, handling bait with care, and disposing of captured mice promptly where appropriate. Some animal welfare advocates discourage glue traps due to potential prolonged suffering and prefer humane live-trap options or quick-kill configurations.

In popular culture, Mousetrap is also the name of a board game designed by Sid Sackson and first published by Ideal Toy Corp in 1963; the game features a Rube Goldberg–style contraption that players assemble as part of play.