i think everyone has their only humane way of killing rats and mice. my humane way is using a c02 chamber my buddy made for me when i have alot to kill. if its just one or two.. i slap it on the wall a few times. my buddy does this..you can buy dry ice from some stores for $1 a pound, and get a tub put the rats in it.Crush the dry ice up and put it in a cup and pour some hot water in the cup. Put the cup in the tub and put lid over it. but it lets off c02 its just a cheaper way of not having to buy c02 cartridge.