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3 Tips For Using Snap Traps To Catch Mice

Have a mice infestation and ready to set out some snap traps? If so, it will help to know these trips to give you the best chance of catching those pests.

Location

You should place the snap traps in hard-to-reach locations for a couple of reasons. First of all, mice are going to be traveling out in open areas. They are going to try to stay hidden, which means going on top of cabinets, behind refrigerators, and other hard-to-reach areas. As such, placing the traps in those areas means they are going to be out of reach from pets and children. You'll know that they will be safe and can have very little concern about someone finding the snap trap that is not supposed to.

Position 

There are a couple of ways that you can position a snap trap against a wall so that it has the best chance of catching a mouse. A popular way is to put the open end of the snap trap towards the wall, with the hope that the mouse will walk close to the wall and stumble upon the trap. They might then smell the bait and try to eat it, hopefully activating the trap. 

The other option is to use two snap traps that are positioned opposite of each other, so the opening faces each direction. The mouse will hopefully walk along the wall and stumble right into the trap when it is used this way. By placing two snap traps in opposite directions, you'll catch the mouse no matter which direction it comes from. 

Bait

While you may have been used to seeing pieces of cheese to catch mice in snap traps, it is not a great way to bait a mouse into using the trap and getting caught. Mice are actually much more attracted to eating things like peanut butter on a snap trap. All you need is a small amount of the mechanism that activates the snap trap. A mouse's attempt to try and eat the last bit of peanut butter will likely cause the trap to go off.

You can also use non-food items as well. For example, items like cotton balls are often used to make their nest, and that can be a clean and effective way to bait a snap trap without using food. 

Reach out to a pest control company if you are dealing with a mice infestation and want to get rid of them for good.