How do you properly set a mouse trap for mice at home? - briefly
Place the «snap trap» with the trigger side facing the wall, 1–2 cm from the baseboard where rodents run, and coat the bait area with a pea‑sized amount of peanut butter or soft cheese. Engage the spring, check the trap each morning, dispose of any catch safely, and reset the device for continued use.
How do you properly set a mouse trap for mice at home? - in detail
Choosing the appropriate trap type is the first step. Snap traps, glue boards, and live‑catch cages each serve specific situations. Snap traps provide rapid termination, glue boards capture without killing, and live‑catch cages allow relocation.
Preparation begins with locating activity zones. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, and runways along walls, behind appliances, and near food storage. Place traps perpendicular to the wall, with the trigger side facing the expected travel path. This orientation forces the rodent to encounter the bait while moving along its natural route.
Bait selection influences success. Peanut butter, small pieces of cheese, or bits of dried fruit work well because of strong odor and high palatability. Apply a pea‑sized amount directly onto the trigger mechanism to ensure contact without deterring the animal.
Setting the mechanism requires careful handling. For a snap trap, pull the spring arm back until the latch clicks into the locked position. Verify that the trigger bar moves freely and returns to the set position when released. For a glue board, peel the protective backing and press the adhesive side onto a flat surface; avoid touching the sticky area to maintain effectiveness. For a live‑catch cage, attach the bait to the interior trigger plate and ensure the door remains closed until activation.
Positioning traps at night increases capture probability, as mice are most active during darkness. Use multiple traps spaced 1–2 feet apart in high‑traffic zones. Check traps daily; remove captured rodents promptly to prevent odor buildup, which can deter further activity.
After successful capture, dispose of dead mice according to local regulations or release live captures far from the residence. Clean and disinfect the trap surface with a mild bleach solution to eliminate scent traces that might alarm remaining rodents. Re‑bait and reset traps as needed until no new signs appear.