There are many different types of traps available on the market, but not all of them work equally well.
Some of the most common mistakes people make when using rodent traps include setting them up in the wrong places, using the wrong type of bait and trying to catch more than one animal at the same trap.
One of the main things you need to remember is that different types of traps are best suited for different types of rodents.
Some traps, like snap traps, are ideal for catching small rodents like rats or mice. Other traps, like rat bait stations or glue boards, are better suited for larger rodents like raccoons or possums.
You should also be sure to place traps in strategic locations, and use bait that will attract the rodents without posing a danger to pets or other animals.
What are the most common mistakes when using rodent traps?
If you find a rodent in your house, you probably have more than one and now you decide to use traps to get rid of these unwanted animals from your home.
However, many people do not use rodent traps correctly and the result is not what they expected.
Here we tell you what are the most common mistakes when using rodent traps:
1. There aren’t enough traps in use.
Many people believe that putting out a few snap or glue traps will solve their rodent problem in the long run.
However, unless you’re dealing with a single rat or mouse limited to a tiny space, that won’t suffice.
Experts recommend that for every rodent present, homeowners place up to three snap or glue traps.
That means that if you have ten mice scurrying throughout your attic, you’ll need up to 30 snap or glue traps to catch them all.
2. Not wearing gloves.
Mice have an extremely acute sense of smell.
When you handle a trap with your bare hands, a small odor of ‘human’ is left behind, which deters mice from approaching it.
Your scent will not be left on the trap if you use a pair of plastic or rubber gloves.
When disposing of any rodents caught in your traps, make sure you wear your gloves to protect yourself from any sickness they may be carrying.
3. Placing the traps at the incorrect location.
Rodents are cautious creatures who prefer to go from one location to another by clinging to walls, fences, shrubs, and other forms of concealment.
If you’re having difficulties catching mice or rats using snap or glue traps, you might rethink where you’re putting them.
Rodents will easily avoid traps if they are placed in the wrong location.
The traps should ideally be positioned 2 to 10 feet apart in the region where the rats are most active.
Place traps along the walls and in corners if the infestation is in your attic.
Traps should be placed in cupboards, behind appliances, and in corners, if they are inhabitable sections of your home.
Place traps along with plants and fence lines, along the walls of your patio, and, if you have a pool, near the filter pump, if your rodents are more active outside.
4. Planning and taking action too late.
According to studies, the first night you set out mouse traps in your home, you catch more mice than any other night.
So, to ensure a rousing success on opening night, start your campaign to get rid of mice or rats by placing mouse traps and rat traps anywhere you observe signs of their activity.
5. Use the same trap regardless of whether it is for mouse or rat.
When it comes to rodent traps, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Firstly, different traps are best suited for different types of rodents.
For example, snap traps are ideal for catching small rodents like rats, while rat bait stations or glue boards are better suited for larger rodents like raccoons or possums.
Additionally, rat and mouse traps are different because they are two different species that vary in size and behavior.
If you want to get rid of mice, you must use mouse traps. If you want to get rid of rats, you must use rat traps.
6. Using the wrong bait.
Many people believe that a cheese-baited snap trap is a foolproof answer to any rodent problem. Unfortunately, this strategy isn’t nearly as effective as we were led to expect.
Peanut butter is the best bait to attract rats and mice.
Mice come inside as the temperature drops outside, slow down, and concentrate on constructing nests, so you can use cotton balls, dental floss, yarn, and twine to attract them to mouse traps.
7. Using an excessive amount of bait.
When you put a lot of bait in mouse traps or rat traps, the pests can steal some of it and not be caught in the trap.
A pea-sized amount of rodent trap bait is just ideal or enough to attract mice and rats but not enough to cause the trap to spring.
8. Not monitoring the traps regularly.
One of the most inconvenient aspects of snap or glue traps is that they must be examined on a daily basis.
Because some rodents may readily set off snap traps without being caught, they may need to be reset as often as once a day.
Plus, as soon as a rodent is caught, snap and glue traps are rendered useless. Another reason to check them periodically is to remove any trapped rats or mice, allowing the traps to catch more.
9. Looking for immediate results.
Rodents are naturally suspicious of new objects in their usual haunts.
Whether you’re using standard snap mouse traps, electronic mouse traps, or live traps, you may acclimatize them by leaving baited but unset mouse traps out for a few days.
When you see mice eating the mouse trap bait, you know the traps are in the appropriate spot and the pests will come back to them.
The mouse traps or rat traps must then be set.
If the traps have not worked for you, you can also try rodenticides. However, always consult a professional to avoid risky situations in a rat and mouse infestation in your home.
What should you do if the rodent traps don’t work?
If the traps don’t work, you may need to try a different type of trap, or move the traps to a different location.
You can also try using a different type of bait, such as fruits or meat.
If the traps still don’t work, you may need to call a professional exterminator.
Extermination and pest control professionals are your best option if you can’t get rid of rodents yourself.
They will have the most appropriate equipment, knowledge, experience, and methods to eliminate all traces of these animals as quickly and safely as possible.
Rodent Exterminator is happy to help you and make your home rodent-free. If you are in Los Angeles and you have a rat or mouse infestation, contact us and we guarantee the best results. Call us 213-431-0890.
In conclusion, when using rodent traps, there are a few things you should avoid doing to increase your chances of success.
Some of the most common mistakes people make include placing traps in the wrong places, using the wrong type of bait, and trying to catch more than one animal at a time.
If you want to make sure your rat traps work, try not to repeat the mistakes we mentioned above.
