Set snap traps baited with peanut butter

What to Do

Place snap traps perpendicular to walls where you see droppings or gnaw marks. Bait the trigger plate with a small dab of peanut butter — use enough that mice must work at it, not just lick it off. Set at least 6-12 traps for a typical home. Check and rebait daily.

Why It Works

Snap traps are the most effective rodent trap type according to university extension services. They kill quickly, allow you to confirm catches, and avoid the secondary poisoning risk of rodenticides. Mice are curious and will investigate new objects, so traps usually produce catches within 1-3 days if properly placed.

Tips

• Place traps along walls — rodents travel along edges, not through open spaces
• For rats, leave traps unset for several days first (rats are suspicious of new objects)
• Use multiple trap placements rather than a single location
• Trapping alone is temporary — combine with exclusion (sealing entry points) for a permanent solution
• Cost: about $1 each for classic Victor snap traps