What are Humane Ways to Kill Mice for Reptiles?

Many reptile owners prefer to feed their pets mice and rats that have been killed ahead of time. Some snakes will refuse to feed on rodents that have been frozen, but adding live prey to a snake's cage can be dangerous for the snake. Many reptiles have been bitten or even killed by live rodents. The solution is to buy live rodents and kill the rodent yourself ahead of time so it can't harm your pet.

  1. The Plastic Bag Method

    • This method has the advantage of being quick and easy, but it is not for the squeamish. Place the live mouse or rat in a plastic shopping bag. Grab the bag by the handles and give the top a few twists so the mouse doesn't fall out. Twirl the bag around once or twice to build up momentum, and then hit the bag as hard as you can against a hard surface such as a wall or counter top. If you don't strike hard enough, the rodent will still be alive, so don't hold back.

    The Neck Break Method

    • The neck break method is another one that is fast and cheap, but not for the squeamish. Put on a pair of heavy leather gloves, because this one requires handing the rodent. There are two ways to do this one. The first one involves pressing a wooden dowel down on the rodent's neck, flattening it against the surface. Grab the tail and give a sharp yank to snap the neck. The second way is to grasp the mouse or rat by the tail, then swing it against the edge of a counter top. Try to aim it so that only the head of the rodent hits the counter.

    The CO2 Method

    • You can purchase a CO2 tank if you are going to be killing large quantities of mice, or you can use dry ice. Dry ice can be purchased at party stores and some grocery stores, since it is normally used to make fog effects. Place the rodent in an open container such as a bucket, then place the dry ice in the bucket. If you are using a CO2 tank, place the outlet hose in the bucket, but not so far down that the rodent can use it to climb out. CO2 is heavier than air, and will fill the bottom of the bucket, suffocating the rodent. Do not place dry ice in a sealed container, because it can cause an explosion.

    The Freezer Method

    • This method is only suitable for small rodents, such as pinky mice. This method is best for pinkies because the plastic bag and neck snap do not work on them, and they are resistant to CO2 suffocation. Do not use the freezer method on rodents bigger than pinkies because it will take a long time for them to die, and they will suffer from frostbite before expiring. Place the pinkies into a bag or plastic container and place it in the freezer.