One of the most likely reasons your bait is disappearing is that other pests are taking the bait. Depending on the trap you're using, the trap may not be able to capture the pest stealing your bait.
Mice take little delicate licks that can even get peanut butter directly from the latch. Some people use cooked rice smashed into the latch. You'll catch more mice with this, because mice nibble grain food, instead of licking. Don't use one trap by itself.
For instance, if you're using peanut butter, it's recommended that you replace it after the third day because it will become dried out after that. As a result, the frequency with which you need to change the bait in your mousetrap will be determined by the type of bait you employ.
How often should you change bait in a mouse trap? You should change the bait on a conventional mouse trap every time you find a dead mouse. The dead rodents struck by snap traps usually get the chance to nibble on the food supply. It's also a good idea to change the bait after 2 days if it fails to attract mice.
Three quick tips: Make sure traps are against and parallel to walls and in darker locations where mice will run into them; make sure the bait is something they actually like – they don't really like cheese, despite what cartoons tell you, and rather prefer things like bacon, jelly beans, and peanut butter (we told you ...
Sweet or fatty foods are favorites of these rodents, so peanut butter, soft cheese, or wet cat food often work well. In general, a small amount of a sticky bait is most likely to make a mouse trigger the trap.
Mice are natural seed eaters, but inside homes they're very attracted to high-calorie sweets and fatty foods. Tiny bits of peanut butter or soft cheese have always worked well. Stick a pinch or two of marshmallows, gum drops or beef jerky to the trigger and the trap will spring when mice take a bite.
Insects: It is very common for insects such as slugs, crickets, ants, and cockroaches to feed on bait meant for rodents. These tiny insects can get in and out of living traps and other non-sticky traps without triggering the trap.
When setting the trap, place a small amount of bait (chunky peanut butter or mutton fat works best) on the bait pan of the snap trap. Place the trap on the floor against the wall. Put the baited end of the trap next to the wall so it forms a “T” with the wall.
The smell of peanut butter is something mice can hardly resist. This is why many people consider using bait traps made with peanut butter. However, bait isn't enough to get rid of mice.
Check the Cable or Batteries. For a wired mouse, check the cable and ensure that it doesn't have any signs of damage. If you're using a wireless mouse, then you need to take a different approach. If the mouse pointer disappears, try using new batteries and see if this resolves the issue.
Experts recommend that homeowners put out up to three snap or glue traps for every rodent present. That means if you have 10 mice scurrying around your attic, you'll need to use up to 30 snap or glue traps for them to be truly effective.
Mice learn to avoid traps
Only travelling in familiar places, with one side of their bodies against a wall. And avoiding open spaces. This behaviour helps them stay alive by avoiding traps. Mice have a great sense of smell which also allows them to avoid traps.
Spotting one elusive mouse typically means there are at least five or six hiding out in your walls, basement, or attic. This is particularly true if you see a mouse at night or in a low-traffic area of your home. For more proof of a full infestation, look for these indicators: Scratching noises in the evening.
Repel rodents and insects
Rats, mice and other insect don't like the smell of peppermint, lemon, and cinnamon. Make tea with these rodent irritants and place the used teabags in places like the back of your pantry, under the kitchen sink or behind the refrigerator to repel these unwanted pests.
When using peanut butter as food bait, avoid spreading too much peanut butter on the trap. Just put about a pea-sized amount of the peanut butter on the trap to attract mice. Chocolate is another high-calorie food that mice love. It also has a strong smell that attracts mice out of hiding.
You can use any type of peanut butter to bait a mouse trap. Mice are not that picky. That means you can choose crunchy or smooth peanut butter to bait your traps.
Both rats and mice are good climbers and can climb vertical walls and "shimmy" up between walls and drain pipes. Rats are also excellent swimmers and have been known to enter premises through the water traps of the toilet bowl when infestations occur in the main sewerage system.
Mice are attracted to the smell of leftover food, cheese, peanut butter, fruits, grains and seeds. It is essentially anything that has high quotient of carbohydrate. Mice are attracted to oily greasy smells and will latch on to insulations and wiring as they are appealing snacks for them.
They generally look for foods that are high in energy and good fats, think peanut or almond butter, or even chocolate. No matter which trap you choose, it's important you use a food source that's different from what's available in the house and is super high in energy for the mouse.
There are two main things that can attract mice and rats to your house – food and shelter. If you don't tidy up properly and there's food waste on the floor or surfaces, rodents are going to love it! Rats and mice also need shelter, particularly during winter to avoid the worst of the cold.
Mice do not possess the intelligence to avoid traps on their first encounters. However, mice are adaptive and learn to steer clear of mouse traps after falling for them once.