The trapping of animals is one of the labors that was performed in the Tabernacle, as the children of Israel were required to catch an animal called a tahash in order to make the curtains for the Tabernacle from its skin, and to catch snails to use their blood to produce the light-blue dye that was required for the threads of the curtains.

Trapping animals in any way is prohibited on Shabbat, except for animals that are already in one’s possession and will not run away. Therefore, if a bird flies into one’s house on Shabbat, he may not close the door or the window to prevent it from escaping. If one has a bird cage in his home, he should consult a rabbi about when it may be permitted to open and close the door of the bird cage on Shabbat.

It is permitted to set a mousetrap on Friday, as the actual act of trapping occurs on Shabbat without human involvement. Furthermore, one may release an animal from a trap, as the prohibition applies solely to trapping.

One may use a spray on Shabbat to get rid of flies or mosquitoes on two conditions: (1) One must spray into the air, not directly onto the bugs themselves; and (2) the room must have an open window or door, as this demonstrates that one does not want to kill the insects but merely to chase them away.

It is permitted to trap a snake, scorpion, or other harmful creature in order to prevent it from attacking a person or causing damage.