What is the name of a mouse trap? - briefly
A device designed to capture or kill rodents is generally referred to as a mouse trap, with the snap‑type trap being the most common variant. Other forms include glue boards, live‑catch cages, and electronic traps.
What is the name of a mouse trap? - in detail
The device designed to capture rodents, specifically mice, is commonly called a mouse trap. In professional pest‑control terminology it is classified as a rodent capture device or rodent trap. The term encompasses several mechanical configurations, each optimized for different control strategies.
Mechanical variants include:
- Snap trap – a spring‑loaded bar that delivers a rapid, lethal strike when the mouse triggers a pressure plate.
- Live‑catch trap – a cage with a one‑way entry door; the animal enters seeking bait and cannot escape without manual release.
- Glue trap – a flat surface coated with adhesive; the mouse becomes immobilized upon contact.
- Electric trap – a chamber delivering a high‑voltage shock that kills the mouse instantly.
- Multi‑catch trap – a larger enclosure capable of holding several rodents before it requires emptying.
Materials typically involve hardened steel for snap mechanisms, durable plastics for live‑catch cages, and synthetic adhesives for glue boards. Bait selections range from grain and peanut butter to commercial attractants containing pheromones.
Design standards, such as those outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 22610), define performance criteria: trigger sensitivity, closure speed, and humane considerations. Compliance ensures the device meets safety requirements for both users and non‑target species.
In summary, the accepted nomenclature for the apparatus that secures mice is “mouse trap,” a term that aggregates several engineered forms—snap, live‑catch, glue, electric, and multi‑catch—each specified by material composition, activation mechanism, and regulatory standards.