Location, location, location. The key to mouse control is setting up the traps in the right location, but where exactly is the right location then? In this blog post, we will give you some advice on where to place mouse traps in order to increase the chances of catching the mice.
Where to place the mouse traps?
Start by monitoring mice in areas where they are likely to thrive. Locate areas that are warm, sheltered, and undisturbed as well as having a food source nearby. The average home range of house mice is only 3 to 9 meters from the nest. Rather than evenly spacing out mouse traps around the edges of a room or building, concentrate mouse traps in areas where you suspect mouse activity.
Read the following 4 tips concerning where mouse traps should be set up:
1) Put more traps in areas of high activity and fewer traps in other areas.
2) Put traps along the route between the mouse nest and its food source.
3) Put traps where there are large numbers of droppings since that is where the mice are spending most of their time.
4) Place traps along skirting boards or edges of walls or other objects where there are obvious signs of mouse activity.
Other good trapping sites are behind objects, and in dark corners, particularly where runways narrow, as it pushes mice into a small space. Traps can also be set overhead along pipes, beams, rafters, etc., especially where you see rub marks. However, remember that you should never place traps above food processing areas.
Always use a large number of traps and overestimate the infestation. A large number of snap traps set for a short period of time will be much more effective than a small number that is set for a long time.
Optimize the chances of catching mice
Mice are curious in contrast to rats, and therefore the choice of strategy should match the curiosity of mice. Rats are neophobic, they fear and avoid new objects, but with mice, you can improve your trapping results by moving boxes, pallets, shelves, or other objects in their territories. Get the mice to investigate new runways that lead to your traps.
After a week of trapping success, unset your traps for a few days. When you restart the trapping, move the traps several feet to new locations in order to take advantage of the mouse’s instinct to investigate new things.
You can place mouse traps perpendicular to the wall or objects with the trigger next to the wall, as there are fewer escapes in this position. In order to be sure to attract mice, it may sometimes help to use baiting. Mousetraps can be baited with food bait or nest material. Try using different baits as some mice may be foraging for different foods, or food not available in the area. Non-toxic baits are available that are guaranteed free of peanut butter or other materials commonly associated with food allergies.
We hope you enjoyed reading this blog post whether you felt like brushing up a few techniques concerning how to catch mice or got a few pieces of advice perhaps as a new PCO to the industry.
Sources:
- PCT – Online. (2020, march). https://www.pctonline.com/article/think-like-a-rodent/
- Pest Management UK. (2020, August). Investing in intelligent traps.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks