How to Trap Mice and Keep Them From Returning

Mousetraps are an effective way to get rid of the disease-carrying rodents.

Trapping a mouse is a humane way to kill it. If you use dangerous poisons, the mouse may ingest it and then disappear inside a wall to die. This results in a foul odor emanating throughout your home for two or three weeks. Mice reproduce rapidly, therefore it is imperative that you take actions to control the infestation right away once you spot them or evidence they are present, such as mouse droppings or damage. Once you trap all the mice, it is important to ensure that they do not return to your home by using proper sanitation measures and making minor repairs.

Things You'll Need

• Mousetraps
• Oats, cheese, peanut butter or chocolate
• Weather stripping
• Caulking

Instructions

Setting a Mousetrap

1. Remove the tiny staple that holds the locking bar in position.

2. Point the locking bar in the opposite direction from where the staple held it tight.

3. Place the mouse bait, such as cheese, oats, peanut butter or chocolate, on the curled metal section near the bait pedal. Use a minimal amount of bait. If you place a large piece of cheese in the trap, the mice may steal a nibble and slip away quickly without being caught.

4. Pull the metal spring forward and hold it down with your thumb. Place the locking bar over it and push the end under the piece of metal that is V-shaped. Once the mouse takes the bait, the metal spring flips forward, trapping and killing it.

5. Set the mouse trap anywhere you have spotted mouse droppings or damage from the mice. Place the traps perpendicular along the walls of the room. Use two or three traps in the room or more if it is a large area.

6. Dispose of the dead mouse by wearing plastic gloves. If you are squeamish about releasing the carcass and cleaning the trap, dispose of the trap as well. They are relatively inexpensive.

Preventing the Return of the Rodents

1. Clean your house and particularly your kitchen on a regular basis. Mice feed on scraps, crumbs and other food debris. Keep unrefrigerated foods in sealed containers. Sweep and mop the floors weekly to prevent crumbs and sticky spills from attracting the rodents.

2. Store seeds away from your home or garage. Mice are particularly fond of this food source. Keep any seeds in air-tight plastic containers in storage areas away from the exterior or interior of your home.

3. Seal all openings around the exterior and interior of your home with weatherstripping or caulking. Pay close attention to gaps in doors, cracks in the foundation and where pipes enter your home.

Tips & Warnings

• Mice can enter the building via openings 1/4 inch or larger in size. They often travel parallel to walls so that they can escape into the walls through small openings if sighted.

References

• Victor: FAQ's
• University of Kentucky; Control of Mice; Michael F. Potter; January 1994