Using Traps
How Humane Mouse Traps Work
To make the most of your catch-and-release efforts and get rid of a mouse without hurting or killing it, follow these steps.
Step 1: Bait and set the trap.*
Bait and set the trap according to the package instructions. While cheese might seem like the obvious choice for bait, the truth is, it’s only for cartoon mice. Try one of these options instead:
- Bacon
- Caramel chew
- Chocolate
- Cotton ball (preferred by females for bedding)
- Dried fruit
- Gummy candy
- Peanut butter
- Tomcat® Attractant Gel
* For the Tomcat® Live Catch Mouse Trap only. The Tomcat® Multi-Catch Mouse Trap does not require baiting or setting.
Step 2: Place the trap.
Deciding where to place a humane mouse trap is a lot like picking a piece of real estate: It’s all about location, location, location. Here’s where to put no-kill mouse traps so mice have a better chance of finding them:
- In the same vicinity as mouse droppings
- Near a warm spot, such as a kitchen appliances or hot water heater
- Against any wall where you’ve seen mice traveling, with the entry holes in line with the walls
When setting more than one live-catch trap at a time, place them no more than 6 feet apart to ensure coverage of active runs. Don’t be afraid to move traps to other locations if you’re not catching anything.
Step 3: Check the trap.
To help ensure that the mouse isn’t without food or water for extended periods of time, check the trap at least twice a day.
Step 4: Transport and release the mouse.
To keep a mouse from migrating back to your home or property, take the trap with the live mouse in it to an outdoor location far from where you live, such as a meadow, wooded area, or other remote location away from other houses. Open the no-kill trap door and free the mouse. Once you get back home, look around your home for entry points and seal them to keep additional mice from entering. Finally, pat yourself on the back for a job well done.
