Mouse Keeps Eating Bait off Trap? Here's What to Do

Mice eating the bait off your trap without getting caught can be frustrating. If this continues for too long, there are a few ideas you could try to control the infestation.

If after making these adjustments, the trend continues, you should call rodent control experts. They may have a few extra ideas on how best to get rid of mice in your home.

Mouse Keeps Eating Bait off Trap: 3 Things to Do

mouse keeps eating bait off trap

1. Change the Bait on Your Mouse Trap

If your choice of bait is cheese, mice can easily snatch a small piece of it without getting caught. Try peanut butter instead. They are sticky and not easy to consume without getting caught.

An alternative tip is to use baits that can be easily connected to the trigger pad. Baits like a mini-pretzel or piece of sardine are great options. As long as the bait stays tied to the trigger, a mouse cannot eat the bait without getting stuck.

2. Use Another Type of Mouse Traps

Like baits, there are different types of mouse traps out there. The best trap for your home will depend on the degree of the infestation and where they are hiding.

While traditional snap traps are what most homeowners are familiar with, if they are not so effective, you should consider the following options:

Pre Baited Mouse Traps

Pre-baited mouse traps are just like traditional snap traps. However, they are a bit of an upgrade because they come with a bait-scented trigger pad. In other words, the bait is the trigger.

This bait area is covered with plastic and mice cannot eat the bait without getting trapped. For those looking to stick with traditional snap traps, this upgrade might be more effective.

Electric Mouse Traps

Electric mouse traps kill mice instantly via electric current. This trap requires bait like peanut butter to bring the mouse out of hiding.

Once the mouse enters the electric trap, its feet come in contact with two (electrically-charged) metal plates. These plates zap the mouse with a few volts to kill him or her.

One way to make it more effective is to place a damp paper towel in front of the trap. This will get the mouse’s feet wet before it steps on the metal plates. Water is a good conductor of electricity, hence, it quickens the death of the mouse.

Based on how quickly this trap kills mice, it is considered one of the most humane options for rodent control.

Cube Traps

Cube traps are designed to capture mice alive. With the bait inside the trap, mice will eventually locate the bait and eat it. However, because of how the trap’s door is designed, it gets closed once a mouse enters.

After capturing the mouse, you have to decide on the most humane way to kill or release him or her into the wild (close to their active site). This is one of the best options for people with mice in their bedrooms.

Bucket Traps

Bucket traps are designed to lure mice into a five-gallon bucket. A bait is placed at the edge of a plank such that once the mouse approaches it, the plank collapses and the mouse falls into the bucket.

The bright side of this method is that it can easily capture more than one mouse. If you wish to capture the mice alive, you can leave the bucket empty. If not, fill it with water to drown the mice.

3. Place Your Bait Correctly

Aside from choosing suitable baits, how you place your baits also matters. Here is how you should place your bait for the following mouse traps:

Pre-baited mouse traps – These traps come with pre-installed pseudo baits, hence, there is no need to add another.
Snap mouse traps – Set the trap and attach the bait to the rectangular metal bar.
Electronic mouse trap – Bait must be placed at the back of the trap – the bait station.
Glue traps – Bait should be placed very close to the trap, not on it.
Cube traps – Place the bait at the back of the trap where there is a hook to hold it. Ensure the bait is not too close to any of the cube’s edges.

Conclusion

The goal of this guide is to let you know there are different traps and baits you can try if your experience with rodent control is not going as planned. Now that you know the few things you can try, how about getting started?