Let’s be honest. The Tom-and-Jerry show has made us believe that catching a mouse can be a chore. If you are tired of these uninvited guests in your house, setting up a mouse trap can help.
Catching these mice is just one mouse trap away. We will explore these steps in detail below.
Key takeaways
- Earwigs release a bad-smelling liquid but are harmless to humans.
- They have two antennae, six limbs, and strong pincers.
- Earwigs like damp environments and feed on plants and decaying wood.
- There are over 2,000 species, including the European, ring-legged, and striped earwigs.
- They can be found in various places, including crawl spaces, restrooms, and wet cellars.
How to set a mouse trap?
Setting a mouse trap has never been easier. To set a mouse trap, you must fix the bait, set the trap open, place it where mice activity is high, and simply wait for the mouse to be trapped.
1. Bait the trap
Apart from choosing the best mouse trap bait, the portion size also matters when it comes to the bait. A peanut size works well enough. You need just enough to trigger the mouse’s curiosity.
Ensure that the bait sticks well to the trigger in a wooden mouse trap and does not simply lay on top of it. Put the bait in such a way that it covers the trigger well and make sure that it is stuck well so that it stays in place even when the mouse touches it.
Place the bait into the baitwell directly if you use snap traps and press-and-set traps.
2. Allow the mice to get familiar with the trap
Mice tend to avoid foreign objects, especially a trap. So for a day, just place the unset trap with the bait in an area with high mice activity. Space the traps out by a foot or two if using more than one trap. Observe and see if the mice take the bait.
3. Bait and set the trap
Take fresh bait and set it in the trigger of the wooden trap or the bait well in case of the press-and-set and snap traps. For setting the wooden trap, pull the spring back and use the latch to secure it well.
If you are using the press-and-set trap, squeeze the trap to set it in the open position. Keep pushing the spring-loaded tab for the snap trap until you hear the clicking sound.
Now place the set mouse trap in the same place where you previously kept the unset trap.
4. Inspect the trap the next day
Mice tend to feed during the night, so leave the trap and come back the next morning to check it. If there is no mouse, give it a day or two more. If there is still no mouse after three days, rebait the trap and move it to a new location.
If the trap has a mouse, go to the next and final step, which is the disposal and disinfection.
5. Disposal and disinfection
Carefully handle any rodents as they may carry harmful diseases. Always use gloves while setting the trap and during disposal.
For a wooden mouse trap, lift the spring bar to release the mouse. Press to open in case of a press-and-set trap, and for a snap trap, simply squeeze the trap.
Toss the mouse in a plastic bag and seal it well before disposing of it. Ensure that the gloves are carefully disposed of or disinfected, and use ample soap and water to wash your hands thoroughly.
The different types of mouse traps
A wide range of mouse pest control traps are available in the market, and they are all quite effective at what they are made for.
Here are the three most common mouse traps that work wonders at helping you achieve a mice-free house.
1. Wooden traps
There’s no way you wouldn’t recognize a wooden mouse trap. It’s one of the most common types of mouse trap, thanks to its simple and basic design. It is popular among many and is so easy to use. What’s more, is that it is so affordable and yet so effective in trapping mice quickly.
Wooden mouse traps have a U-shaped spring-loaded bar and a small board with a wire latch attached to it.
How to set it?
Put the bait on the trap, then simply pull back the spring and hold it securely by using the wire latch.
Advantages of wooden traps
One of the best things about the wooden mouse trap is it’s inexpensive. So you don’t have to think twice and just throw it in the trash can along with the mouse. Even if you want to reuse it, you can simply pull back the spring and toss the mouse into the trash.
Make sure you use rubber gloves while disposing of the rodent and clean the trap thoroughly.
2. Press-and-set traps
Mouse traps could not get any simpler than this. The press-and-set type of mouse trap is as easy to use as its name suggests.
How to set it?
After catching the mouse, use the grab tap in the mouse trap to dispose of it. Bait the trap first, then press the set bar until you hear the clicking sound to confirm it’s set in place. Place the trap where the mice are most active for the best results.
If you want to increase the chances of catching mice, place 2-3 traps in places where mice are active, like near refrigerators, pantries, and dryers.
Advantages of press-and-set traps
These types of traps are very simple to use. All it takes is a press to set it and reopen and release the mouse.
3. Snap traps
Snap traps are also easy to set and feature a spring-loaded mechanism typically made of molded plastic.
How to set it?
Here’s a pro tip you might want to know. Place a bait and place it where the mice are active. Keep the trap in the open position by squeezing the snap trap. Mice tend to hug the walls and take the corner routes, so place the trap to have its teeth face the wall.
Advantages of snap traps
If you’re using snap traps, you won’t ever have to touch the mouse as it’s so easy to release it. They’re also much safer around pets and kids than the typical wooden mouse traps.
Apart from these, you can also make your own homemade. They’re quite simple to make and work just as well.
A little prep before setting up a mouse trap
So now that you’ve got yourself a mouse trap and you’re ready to get rid of these nasty rodents, let’s get a few things ready before you get on with setting the trap.
Bait
You can’t catch a mouse unless you have a nice bait, something sweet and fatty, to attract them. Although peanut butter is the best bait for mouse traps, you can also try some other nut butter, chocolate candy, marshmallows, or bacon.
Gloves
Wearing gloves has its benefits while setting the trap and disposing of the mouse. Mice tend to avoid scents from predators like people and pets. Wearing gloves will prevent your scent from getting into the trap. You can use any type of gloves, although many prefer disposable gloves.
Supplies for cleaning
It is important to disinfect the area and the trap. Also, plastic bags will make the disposing process much safer and easier.
A final note
Trapping a mouse has never been easy, thanks to the easy-to-use and effective mouse traps available.
- Wooden mouse traps are very affordable as well as effective.
- Go for press-and-set traps for an easier setup.
- Snap traps also make the whole process easy without having to touch the mouse at all.
It may take a while to trap the mice, but over time as you understand the mouse’s behavior and with some added techniques, you’ll be able to rid your house of all the mice.
If you need professional mice control, simply request an appointment at Arrest A Pest, and your crib will be mice-free in no time!
