I don't like to touch mice or rats... Never have been very keen on them. I use tongs, take the mouse or rat by the tail and drop it in the tub... Make sure the coil is good, and forget about it. With my female, who is being converted to p/k and f/t, I dangle it for a min or two and if she doesn't strike, I just leave it in there and cover up her tank. She'll normally take it in privacy.