I can't catch a mouse in the apartment—what should I do? - briefly
Set up snap or baited live traps along walls and in hidden corners, then block all possible entry holes with steel wool or caulk. Maintain cleanliness and store food securely to discourage further activity.
I can't catch a mouse in the apartment—what should I do? - in detail
A resident who cannot secure a rodent inside a flat should first verify the presence of the animal. Look for droppings, gnaw marks, greasy trails along walls, and audible scurrying at night. Confirming activity prevents unnecessary measures.
Next, eliminate pathways that allow entry. Inspect the building envelope for gaps around pipes, vents, doors, and windows. Use steel wool, caulk, or expanding foam to close openings larger than a quarter inch. Keep food stored in sealed containers and promptly clean crumbs or spills, because accessible nutrition sustains the pest.
Choose an appropriate capture device.
- Snap traps: inexpensive, quick‑kill; position perpendicular to walls, baited with peanut butter or chocolate.
- Live‑catch traps: allow release outside; require frequent checking to avoid suffering.
- Electronic traps: deliver a lethal shock; useful where snap traps are prohibited.
Place traps where signs are strongest, typically along walls, behind appliances, and near suspected nesting sites. Use a single bait per trap to avoid competition. Set multiple traps simultaneously to increase success rates.
Handle captured rodents with disposable gloves. Dispose of dead mice in sealed plastic bags, then place them in an outdoor trash receptacle. Clean the trap surface with disinfectant before reuse. Sanitize areas where droppings were found using a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water, allowing a five‑minute contact time.
If activity persists after two weeks of thorough sealing, baiting, and trapping, or if multiple mice are observed, enlist a licensed pest‑control professional. Persistent infestations may indicate structural issues that require expert remediation.