Using TOMCAT Traps
GLUE, SNAP & LIVE TRAPS

Whether you're using glue traps, snap traps or live traps, proper placement of these traps is critical.   Below are some proven techniques for ridding your premises of rats and mice using a variety of TOMCAT traps.  

Using Glue Traps
How to Place Glue Traps:
Remove the protective paper and place the glue traps where you’ve seen rodents or signs of them (droppings, gnawing, nesting materials).

Position traps along active rodent runways, such as along walls, under large kitchens appliances, in the false bottoms of cupboards, and other areas where rodents travel. Be sure to fit the glue trap flush against a wall where rodents will run over and stick to it. Avoid  placing traps in corners indoors. 
 
After use, dispose of the trap and captured rodent or insects in the trash.

Keep glue traps away from children and pets. If you need to remove glue, see FAQ.

TIP:  For maximum effectiveness, keep traps free of dust, debris and moisture. Water and dirt will compromise the glue’s holding power.

Using Live Traps
Live-catch traps work well when placed along walls or out-of-sight areas where mice like to travel. Place the entry holes in line with the wall.  Curious mice traveling along walls will step inside to investigate.  Once inside, the trapping mechanism prevents them from escaping.

Experiment with the location of traps.  If you’re not catching mice, move them to another location where you’ve seen signs of mice.  Mice usually travel only 10 to 30 feet from their nest to their food source. Place traps along these active runways.

Use an attractant, such as TOMCAT Mouse Attractant GEL, to draw mice into the trap.

TIP: Mice are more active around dusk and dawn.  Check the traps at least twice a day.

Using Snap Traps
How to Set Wooden Traps:
Wooden traps are age-old – quick and effective in capturing rodents but, as with any bait or trap, proper placement is important.  

• Set the trap close to where you want to place it, such as in a cupboard.
• Apply a dollop of TOMCAT Mouse Attractant GEL to the cup on the yellow trigger to increase captures.
• Carefully pull the spring-loaded U-shaped metal bar back to the opposite end and hold the bar firmly with one hand.
• With the other hand, place the metal pin over the U-shaped bar.  Lift the yellow trigger slightly and insert the curved end of the pin into the raised end slot of the trigger. 
• Carefully position the trap without releasing it.  Place the narrow, baited end of the trap flush against a wall. Once a rodent steps on the yellow trigger, the pin releases and the U-shaped bar snaps back, killing it. Note:  Some mice are clever and may try to jump over a trap.  In that case, place two traps close to each others.
• To dispose of a captured rodent, wear disposable gloves. Pull back the U-shaped bar to release the carcass into  the trash.  You can then reset and use the trap again.  If you’re squeamish about dealing with a dead rodent, you can put the trap, rodent and all, in the trash. 

View setting trap

How to Set Snap Traps:
TOMCAT Snap Traps use the most advanced technology on the market to capture rodents without poison.  These plastic, spring-loaded snap traps are easy to set and there are no pinched fingers!  

• Using one hand, open the trap by pinching, like opening a clothespin.   Hold the trap open and apply a small amount of TOMCAT Mouse Attractant to the small cup on the tongue of the mouse snap trap.  A removable cup on the rat snap traps lets you apply attractant before setting the trap.
• Place the opened trap in the rodent’s runway.  The “teeth” of the trap should be facing the wall.  Rodents coming from either direction step on the yellow trigger which releases the trap.
• To dispose of the rodent, pinch the trap open and drop the dead rodent in the trash.  Your fingers never touch the rat or mouse.

Placing Snap Traps:
Identify active rodent pathways.  Rodents like to travel along walls between their nest and food/water source.  Look for signs of rodents – either droppings, gnaw marks, shredded paper which mice like for nesting – and  place traps along these routes.  Besides along walls, you may need to place traps in dark, secluded spots and behind objects where rodents nest.

Mice don’t travel very far from their nest to their source of food; - usually between 10 and 30 feet from their nest to their food source. Rats will travel between 25 and 100 feet from their nest or burrow to their food source. Your best bet for catching them is to intercept them as they travel back and forth.

Place mouse snap traps perpendicular to walls or other objects. Mice move along walls and will attempt to run through the trap. This instinctual characteristic is what makes snap traps so effective. Clever mice may try to jump over traps.  In that case, place two traps together. 

Place rat snap traps perpendicular to walls or other objects. Because rats are neophobic (afraid of new objects in their environment) they may initially be reluctant to run through the trap. Baiting the trap may help entice them into the trap.

To capture roof rats, attach snap traps to pipes, poles, rafters and other hard-to-reach places where they travel. Don’t forget about attics in parts of the country where roof rats are prevalent.


Snap Traps in Bait Stations:
When children and pets are present, you can also place snap traps in larger, tamper-resistant bait stations and position them along rodent runways.


TIP:  How many traps should you use?  That depends on the number of rodents.  If you suspect more than one or two, place several traps where you’ve seen signs.  You can set an many as a dozen if you suspect you have a significant problem.