I was doing my usual weekly food shop last night, getting the essentials – milk, bread, tea, fruit, veg – you name it. Any Lidl shopper will know it isn’t just food the supermarket sells and browsing through the middle aisle can be a fun treasure trove to explore thanks to the store’s affordable homeware, gardening fashion and beauty items.
Pushing my trolley, I took my time looking at what the store had on offer. There were some cosy-looking pyjamas, some pretty red and gold candles that were presumably left over from Christmas, and an abundance of other household products and kitchen appliances.
I reached the section of the aisle that is dedicated to pets. I could have grabbed a cat scratcher, some disposable dog poo bags or invested in some snap mouse traps.
And there weren’t the simple live capture mouse traps I’ve seen before, but the more old-fashioned snap traps, with the wooden block and metal prongs. I had to do a double take at the shelf.
I would expect to see them in a hardware store, not necessarily in a major British supermarket. It irritated me. I reached out to Lidl, requesting a comment in response. A spokesperson told me: “We’re pleased to offer our customers a large variety of products through our Middle of Lidl offering, available for a limited time.
“This particular product is commonly available year-round across many other UK retailers, including supermarkets. As highlighted by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, it is generally considered to be one of the most humane methods of rodent control.” I also contacted the British Retail Consortium. A spokesperson said: “This not an area we comment on I’m afraid. Apologies.”
Sure, it was cheap, priced at £1.99 as per the ‘Pet Accessories’ label adorned above it on the shelf. For a quick and cheap fix, if you’re facing a critter problem at home, it could be a no-brainer. They get the job done quickly, and for people who regularly encounter mouse problems at home, they may be an essential ‘handy’ device.
However, I personally would not be okay with killing a living creature in my own home in such a way. I’d rather give it a chance to live first by using a live capture and release method – like you would a spider with a glass and some card.
I understand how the ‘instant kill’ aspect can be the best thing to do if you’re adamant about making sure you kill the creature. But, doing so would be upsetting for someone like me as I’d see it as a last resort.
There is an abundance of humane live traps available if you look online. A quick Google search using the words ‘humane live mouse traps’ brings up all sorts of items you can buy cheaply at Amazon, Toolstation, B&Q and more. Even Temu is selling humane traps.
However, if you take out the word ‘humane’, several other retailers – including other UK supermarkets – stock similar springboard snap traps. On Tesco’s website, there is a pack of two PestShield Metal Mouse Traps on sale for £8.99. There’s an Advanced Mouse Trap on Sainsbury’s website for £4.50.
The Range sells a Wooden Mouse Trap on its website for 99p. An eight pack of Wooden Mouse Traps are also on sale at B&Q for £5.99, which look very similar to Lidl’s ones. I’ve approached Tesco, Sainsbury’s, B&Q and The Range for comment too, but they did not immediately reply.
It seems the traditional snap traps are there if you search for them, especially online. But for someone who was just doing their weekly grocery shop in person, spotting the traps in the middle aisle section of Lidl took me by surprise, when either side of me were colourful toys and snuggly pyjamas.
Snap traps vs live capture traps:
Despite my own opinion, according to the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, these types of snap traps are regarded as one of the most humane options. A statement on its website reads: “The most humane approaches for rats and mice are snap traps (sometimes called break-back traps) and live capture in a humane trap followed by rapid humane killing of the animal.
“Some snap traps are much more efficient than others. Poor quality traps are much more likely to injure animals rather than killing them instantly.” Meanwhile, methods like glue boards, poisons and electrocution traps are inhumane and inflict suffering on animals.
For instance, animals caught in glue traps often suffer severe injuries as they struggle to escape. In their desperation, they may tear off their own skin and fur or even chew off their limbs. This frantic effort to break free can lead to horrific wounds, including broken bones.
A PETA spokesperson said: “Lethal methods never work to keep rodents away in the long run and will actually backfire. This is because when animals are killed or otherwise removed, the resultant spike in the food supply causes accelerated breeding among survivors and newcomers—and this means increased populations.”
For many, humane mouse traps – like this one from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) – are viewed as a superior option. Some would say this method is regarded as a more ethical way to manage pests, as it captures mice without causing any harm, enabling you to set them free alive.
A statement on PETA’s website reads: “Mice and rats are complex, unique beings with the capacity to experience a wide range of emotions. Highly intelligent, they’re natural students who excel at learning and understanding concepts. Mice and rats are fastidiously clean animals who groom themselves several times a day and are less likely than dogs or cats to transmit parasites and viruses.
“Much like humans, mice and rats are very social animals. They become attached to one another, love their families, and enjoy playing, wrestling, and sleeping curled up together. Mice and rats deserve our compassion and respect, so it’s essential that we use humane methods to solve perceived problems with them.”
Key points about live humane mouse traps:
- These traps are reusable and made to capture mice without harming them or causing much stress.
- After being caught, the mouse can be easily moved and released at a distance from your home.
- Unlike glue traps or poisons, humane traps focus on reducing the animal’s pain and suffering during the capture process.
It’s essential to remember that if you choose to use a humane mouse trap, you should check it regularly to prevent the mice from dehydration, being confined for too long and place it somewhere that isn’t too cold. When you do release them, make sure to choose appropriate locations; otherwise, they might come back or have a hard time surviving in somewhere completely new.
The RSPCA adds: “Once such animals are in a trap the person setting the trap would have responsibility for their welfare. The risk of a mouse dying in a trap intended to catch them alive may be reduced if the trap has a large holding compartment and the traps are inspected frequently.
“One example of the welfare issues resulting from the use of small sized live-catch traps would be when the breath of the rodent causes moisture condensation inside the trap. This wets the animal’s fur, making them very cold and leading to potential hypothermia.”
Further advice from PETA reads: “Captured mice and rats can be kept calm by placing a towel over the trap. Release them within 100 yards of where they were trapped. (Rodents can also be humanely euthanized by a veterinarian or at a local animal shelter.)
“Releasing a mouse or rat into a strange area will almost surely result in the animal’s death because relocated animals don’t know where to find adequate food, water, or shelter and often become weak and succumb to predation or foreign parasites or disease against which they lack natural immunity.”
Tips to rat and mice-proof your home:
It can be hard to spot signs of mice before an infestation really takes hold. Signs can include:
- Small, dark droppings that are around the size of grains of rice
- Chewed holes in bags and boxes – especially in food and pet food
- Greasy smear marks against walls, floors, and skirting boards
- Gnaw marks
- Nests filled with shredded paper or wood shavings – these are often found behind fridges, under cabinets, or in other dark, secluded places
- A strong smell of ammonia from the mice’s urine
According to pest control company Lodi UK, one way to prevent mice or rats is to block any possible entry points, as mice can fit through tiny holes—as small as 6mm. Also, store any food away in the fridge and cupboard, avoid leaving anything that’s not sealed out.
Keep your home as tidy and clean as possible. Leaving crumbs or dropped pet food could give the creatures easy food sources. Keeping hedges and lawn manicured can stop rats and mice from hiding in them. Essential oils like peppermint and clove can deter them.
