How to Humanely Kill a Rodent

Author Info | 18 References

Updated: February 6, 2020

Explore this Article Using Asphyxiation by CO2 Killing it with Blunt Force Trauma to the Head Using Spring Traps Show 2 more... Show less... Article Summary Questions & Answers Related Articles References


Using Asphyxiation by CO2

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    Read up on the method. Asphyxiation by CO2 is the only method approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association which uses common household materials. These guidelines are meant for vets not ordinary people, so think about whether you are qualified to carry this out without causing undue pain and suffering for the rodent.[1]
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    • The plastic container is the euthanasia chamber for the rodent
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    Prepare the CO2 chamber. Put the baking soda into the bottom of the bag, and then place the separate container with the vinegar into the bag, without spilling it. When you combine the baking soda and vinegar later, the reaction produces the gas carbon dioxide (CO2), which the rodent can't breathe.
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    • Carbon dioxide exposure that uses a gradual fill method like this is less likely to cause pain.[4]

Killing it with Blunt Force Trauma to the Head


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    • The humaneness of this technique depends on force and accuracy.[6]

Using Spring Traps

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    • The rodent should have a clear path to the trap.
    • The bait should be changed regularly.
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Firing a Projectile


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    • Even a clean shot will be bloody and distressing.
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    Observe all firearm safety measures. When mishandled, guns can be deadly. This is true for air guns too. An air rifle or pistol should never be aimed at another person.[14] If you are unsure how to safely operate a gun, use another method to humanely kill the rodent.

Thinking about your Options before Proceeding

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    Protect yourself. Rodents, however small, are wild animals. They may bite if threatened. Additionally, they can transmit a variety of diseases[15]. Wear tough gloves and long sleeves if you must touch them, but you should try to avoid this as much as is possible by using a sealable bag to contain the rodent.
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Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Question
    Would cutting off its head be considered humane?
    Community Answer
    If you could cut the head off quickly without alerting the rodent first, then it could be considered humane, but it's certainly not the best option.
  • Question
    Would it be humane if I just left it out in the sun or drown it with hot water?
    Community Answer
    Leaving it in the sun causes heatstroke, which is very slow and painful. Hot water drowning is even more painful than drowning in lukewarm water, which is already considered inhumane. In short, neither choice is humane.
  • Question
    What do I do if the rat bites me?
    Community Answer
    Get it checked out ASAP. Rats carry deadly pathogens and diseases than can make you very sick.
  • Question
    I have owned a pet rabbit for many years, and she is now quite old, and suffering from a serious disease. I can't tell if she's in pain. I can see open cuts that lead to muscle. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Take her to a vet. Even if the vet tells you the best answer is euthanizing the rabbit, they can do so quickly and humanely. It sounds like your rabbit is really suffering.
  • Question
    My daughter cried last time I killed a rat and insisted on burying it in the garden, and now I need to kill another one. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    If at all possible, I would just avoid letting your daughter know about the rat. If she does, then I would just have a talk with her about why you're killing the rat so she can understand it better.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of a mouse that is only a few days old whose mother left it?
    Community Answer
    It would be best to simply kill it because it requires its mother's milk at such a young age.
  • Question
    Would drowning a mouse or freezing a mouse be more humane?
    Community Answer
    Neither. Both are insanely painful and inhumane. Find another method.
  • Question
    The CO2 instructions are unclear. Step 3 includes container with vinegar inside the bag, while step 6 shows a bottle pouring vinegar from outside the bag. Not sure how to proceed. Is it both?
    Anndee Moon
    Community Answer
    I grabbed a small plastic bottle and poured vinegar in it, and then placed it gently into the baggy of baking soda. Once the tube was in place and as airtight as possible, I poured the bottle out from inside the bag.
  • Question
    Would it be humane to shoot my guinea pig?
    Community Answer
    No, that would not be humane.
  • Question
    Is it humane to drown a rodent?
    Community Answer
    No, it's not. It's a slow death of panic and suffocation.
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    Article SummaryX

    To humanely kill a rodent by asphyxiation, you’ll need baking soda, white vinegar, a hose, a sealable plastic container, and a plastic bag. Once you’ve trapped the rodent in the plastic container, pour a few cups of baking soda into your plastic bag. Then, place a jug of white vinegar into the bag without mixing it with the baking soda. Cut a hole in the lid of the plastic container and attach the hose to it. Place the other end in the plastic bag and seal it with a rubber band. After you’ve connected the hose to the bag, slowly pour the vinegar onto the baking soda, which will make carbon dioxide and suffocate the rodent. If you don’t have access to these materials, the best way to instantly kill a rodent is to hit it hard in the head. For more tips, including how to kill a rodent with a spring trap, read on.

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    Article Info


    Categories: Rodent Control

    In other languages:

    Español: matar sin crueldad a un roedor, Italiano: Uccidere Umanamente un Roditore, Русский: гуманно убить грызуна, Français: tuer un rongeur avec dignité, Deutsch: Ein Nagetier auf humane Weise töten, Bahasa Indonesia: Membunuh Hewan Pengerat Secara Manusiawi, العربية: قتل القوارض بشكل رحيم

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