"Bill Keefer" wrote in message
...
I hate to kill them - but I have to.
Do they die quickly when the big rat traps spring?

I'm not talking the little mouse traps - but the larger classic Victor
rat traps.

Anywhere from instantaneously to finding it alive, and you having to
dispatch it. But, one rat or one mouse can cause an incredible amount of
damage unchecked. Plus, in our area, there is hantavirus, which means you
might as well toss everything it has come in contact with. I use a tin cat
by Victor for mice. It catches them live. Kind souls will drive them away
from their houses, and turn them loose. I just toss the tin cat in a 5
gallon bucket of water, and come back in a while. For the 2-3 pound rock
squirrels that devastate our fruit trees, I use a .22 rifle, or shotgun.

http://www.victorpest.com/store/mouse-control/m310

I also like a 5 gal. bucket of water with a soda can strung on a wire across
the top. Slather the can with peanut butter. The mouse goes out on the
wire, steps on the can, and falls into the water. Very safe, and works
great. Just check often, as they get skanky smelling real fast.

Steve