Mechanical traps method

Mechanical traps are physical devices designed to capture or eliminate pests without using chemical substances. They range from snap traps for rodents to live/multicatch traps, glue boards, and UV light traps for flying insects. Because of their non-toxic nature and their ability to provide evidence, they are a central tool of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), especially in sensitive environments where minimizing chemical use is a priority.

How it works

Each type of trap addresses a different situation and is placed according to the pest's behavior:

• Snap traps: capture and eliminate rodents immediately; ideal for fast action at points of confirmed activity.
• Live or multicatch traps: capture rodents without harming them and can hold several individuals; useful where a cleaner, out-of-sight approach is preferred.
• Glue boards or sticky traps: retain small rodents and crawling insects and also serve as a monitoring tool.
• Light or UV traps for flying insects: attract flies and other insects to an adhesive surface or grid, without releasing chemicals into the environment.

Devices are placed strategically along transit routes, entry points, nesting areas, and against walls, where rodents tend to travel. Correct placement and periodic maintenance are as important as the trap itself: our technicians inspect, clean, and reset each station to ensure continuous effectiveness.

When it's used

Mechanical traps are the preferred option when low toxicity and traceability are the priority:

• Food plants, restaurants, and food-handling areas, where the use of toxic baits is restricted.
• Hospitals, schools, and healthcare environments, where people's safety is the priority.
• Homes with children or pets, where exposure to chemicals should be avoided.
• As a monitoring tool in any program, to detect pest activity early and measure results.

Advantages and considerations

Their main advantage is that they produce no chemical residues, making them safe for environments with people, pets, or food. They also provide physical evidence of each capture, enabling precise monitoring of pest activity, trend analysis, and informed decision-making within IPM.

Among the honest considerations, traps require periodic inspection and maintenance: an unattended trap loses effectiveness and, in the case of capture traps, raises a matter of timely handling. Their reach is localized, so in large infestations they work best combined with sanitation, exclusion (sealing of entry points), and, when necessary, other control methods. Proper placement is decisive in achieving results.

Safety and regulations

Although mechanical traps use no chemicals, their installation and handling are carried out by trained and certified personnel, following pest control best practices. The service falls within standard NOM-256-SSA1-2012 and operates under a current health license from COFEPRIS; when the program combines traps with chemical applications or baits, these are performed with personal protective equipment (PPE) and in accordance with the corresponding safety measures.

Why Fucesa

With more than 40 years of experience, at Fucesa we integrate mechanical traps within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. We start with an inspection to identify species and transit routes, select the right type of trap for each area, and establish a monitoring and maintenance schedule that documents every capture. This turns traps into a source of information to anticipate problems, with professional service from our headquarters in Toluca and our operation in Querétaro.