The Most Humane Way to Kill Rats, Mice, and Squirrels: Goodnature Automatic Traps
I’ll be honest: I’ve probably been one of the biggest skeptics of these automatic traps. When they first came out, I thought, “Wow, is this really the silver bullet everyone claims?” I tried one on the rats in my yard after moving into my house in Santa Cruz. Back then, I wasn’t as skilled a pest professional, and I actually put out bait in the garage—a decision I quickly regretted.
Traditional traps like snap traps, cage traps, and especially glue boards often cause slow, painful deaths. Some rodents linger for hours in pain. Others are caught improperly, suffering with crushed limbs or spinal injuries. And glue boards? They’re some of the most inhumane devices ever sold to consumers—animals stuck for hours or even days, starving, scared, and slowly dying.
Seeing firsthand what happens when rats die in the garage was both disgusting and, I’ll admit, a little fascinating. The flies and maggots took over, and the smell was unbearable. I’ve even seen customers with flies obsessed on their kitchen walls because a rat died inside the drywall—something you can smell but can’t reach. That’s when I realized why using bait inside is such a bad idea.
But there’s another way. A much better way.
What Is Goodnature?
Goodnature is a company out of New Zealand that’s changing how we think about rodent and wildlife control. Their automatic traps are engineered to be quick, clean, and repeatable, with a strong focus on humane dispatch.
When I first set up the Goodnature A24 automatic trap in my crawl space, I was hopeful but also curious. The trap comes with an attractant that smells like Nutella—chocolate hazelnut paste. But the rat was scared of the trap. It changed its behavior and wouldn’t go near it. Later, at the West Coast Rodent Academy, I learned about neophobia—rats’ natural instinct to avoid new things. That innate skepticism is probably what keeps them alive so long!
Goodnature Products
- A CO₂-powered piston fires instantly
- The animal is knocked unconscious and killed on the spot
- There’s no blood, no suffering, and no need for cleanup
Why Goodnature Traps Are the Most Humane Option
The A24 Rat & Mouse Trap and the A18 Squirrel Trap are designed to make the death as instant and painless as possible. Unlike snap traps (which can misfire) or glue boards (which prolong suffering), Goodnature traps end life before the animal even knows what happened.
It took about a week for the rat to get used to the trap’s smell. I tried different baits—apple slices finally did the trick. The rat got curious, approached the trap more each day, and by the third or fourth night, it went for the apple. The trap worked instantly. I don’t think the rat felt any pain. But I’ll admit, after filming this rat for weeks, I was a little sad to lose my “little buddy.” Still, I learned something important: sometimes, you just have one rat, and once it’s gone, the problem is solved.
Other Benefits of Goodnature Traps
- Automatic Reset: Each CO₂ cartridge resets up to 24 times
- Non-toxic: Safe for use around pets, wildlife, and kids
- Scavenger-friendly: Dead rodents are safe for owls, foxes, or hawks to eat
- Long-lasting: Weatherproof design with minimal maintenance
One thing I learned: using these traps isn’t always “set it and forget it.” Sometimes you have to experiment with different attractants. It’s not hard, but it does mean checking the trap and switching out baits—like apple or peanut—until you find what works for your particular rodent.
Goodnature Product Lineup
| Product | Target Pests | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| A24 | Rats & Mice | Automatic reset, up to 24 kills, small profile |
| A18 | Squirrels | Larger impact force, same reset technology |
| Lure Basket | All rodents | Attracts pests to the trap with long-lasting paste |
| Digital Counter | N/A | Tracks trap usage and effectiveness |
Yes, They’re Expensive — But They’re Worth It
These aren’t your $3 hardware store snap traps. They’re designed for people who want to solve a rodent problem humanely, with as little blood, cruelty, or toxicity as possible.
As someone who’s tried just about everything, I can say Goodnature traps are a game changer—especially if you care about doing things humanely and want to avoid the mess and stink of traditional methods.
If that’s you, then this is your trap.
Final Thoughts from The Pest Dude
At The Pest Dude, we believe in treating every creature with decency—even pests. Goodnature traps give you a real way to do that.
Setting up cameras and watching the rats’ behavior taught me a lot—not just about pest control, but about animal intelligence and survival. If you’re struggling with rats, mice, or squirrels, don’t be afraid to try new things and learn as you go. Sometimes, the most humane solution is also the most effective.
If you’re interested in trying one, check out our roundup of the best humane traps or see our upcoming video where we demonstrate the A24 in the field.
