How can you catch a mouse at home using a trap? - briefly
Set a snap or humane cage trap against a wall near signs of activity, bait it with a small amount of peanut butter or cheese, and check it frequently. Dispose of any captured mouse promptly following local health guidelines.
How can you catch a mouse at home using a trap? - in detail
Catching a house mouse with a trap requires preparation, correct trap placement, and proper handling of the captured rodent. Follow these steps for reliable results.
Choose a trap that matches the situation. Common options include:
- Snap traps: metal bars that deliver a quick kill when the mouse pulls a trigger.
- Glue boards: sticky surfaces that immobilize the animal.
- Live‑catch cages: enclosed chambers that allow release elsewhere.
- Electronic traps: batteries power a high‑voltage shock that kills instantly.
Select bait that attracts mice. Effective choices are peanut butter, small pieces of cheese, or bits of cooked bacon. Apply a pea‑sized amount to the trigger mechanism; excess bait may allow the mouse to feed without activating the trap.
Place traps along established mouse pathways. Typical locations are:
- Near walls, where rodents travel close to vertical surfaces.
- Behind appliances, cabinets, or furniture.
- In dark corners, under sinks, and inside closets.
- Adjacent to known droppings or gnaw marks.
Set each trap according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure the trigger is sensitive enough to respond to a light touch but not so loose that it false‑fires.
Maintain a clean environment to increase trap efficiency. Seal food containers, clean crumbs, and repair entry points such as gaps around pipes or vents. Reducing alternative food sources forces mice to investigate the baited traps.
Check traps daily. If a mouse is caught, wear disposable gloves, dispose of the carcass in a sealed bag, and discard the bag in an outdoor trash container. For live‑catch cages, release the animal at least 200 meters from the residence, preferably in a wooded area, and release it promptly to minimize stress.
After a capture, reset the trap with fresh bait and reposition it if no activity is observed for several days. Rotate trap locations periodically to cover new foraging routes.
Finally, monitor the situation for at least two weeks. Absence of new droppings, gnaw marks, or sightings indicates that the infestation has been eliminated. If activity persists, increase the number of traps or consider professional pest‑control assistance.