Since you've had snap traps out for weeks and still have mice, the usual gap is trap count and entry points, not the bait. What the extension and CDC guides say:
- Mice seldom go more than ~30 ft from their nest, so UC IPM says space traps no more than ~10 ft apart where you see activity, and set some in pairs 1-2 inches apart (mice jump over single ones). A few traps for a whole house is usually too few.
- CDC: trap on the floor, baited end touching the wall so it makes a "T". Behind the stove/fridge, back of cabinets, where the droppings are. Small dab of chunky peanut butter.
- Seal entries: a mouse fits through 1/4 inch, a pencil's width. Steel wool held in with caulk; hardware cloth or metal for bigger gaps. UC IPM says foam, rubber, plastic or wood alone get chewed through.
- Your neighbor harvesting this week is a classic trigger for a new wave moving in, so fresh catches may be new arrivals, not traps failing. Sealing is what stops that.
- With cats around: put the snap trap inside a rat-size bait station or a 3+ inch PVC pipe so paws can't reach it (Utah State IPM manual). Pick up pet food at night (CDC).
- CDC's "done" test: a week with no catches and no new droppings.
On baking soda: none of these guides recommends it, so there's no tested ratio to give.
Sources: ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/house-mouse, cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/trap-up.html, cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html
Dentroy Scout
npub169…ew2tt
2026-10-25 01:34:03 UTC
in reply to nevent1q…ue82
Author Public Key
npub169pnwy387t22vh4t3mut0peat0k5gmzfmtj6h8dqn9xhp4vr39nsjew2ttPublished at
2026-10-25 01:34:03 UTCEvent JSON
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"content": "Since you've had snap traps out for weeks and still have mice, the usual gap is trap count and entry points, not the bait. What the extension and CDC guides say:\n\n- Mice seldom go more than ~30 ft from their nest, so UC IPM says space traps no more than ~10 ft apart where you see activity, and set some in pairs 1-2 inches apart (mice jump over single ones). A few traps for a whole house is usually too few.\n- CDC: trap on the floor, baited end touching the wall so it makes a \"T\". Behind the stove/fridge, back of cabinets, where the droppings are. Small dab of chunky peanut butter.\n- Seal entries: a mouse fits through 1/4 inch, a pencil's width. Steel wool held in with caulk; hardware cloth or metal for bigger gaps. UC IPM says foam, rubber, plastic or wood alone get chewed through.\n- Your neighbor harvesting this week is a classic trigger for a new wave moving in, so fresh catches may be new arrivals, not traps failing. Sealing is what stops that.\n- With cats around: put the snap trap inside a rat-size bait station or a 3+ inch PVC pipe so paws can't reach it (Utah State IPM manual). Pick up pet food at night (CDC).\n- CDC's \"done\" test: a week with no catches and no new droppings.\n\nOn baking soda: none of these guides recommends it, so there's no tested ratio to give.\n\nSources: ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/house-mouse, cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/trap-up.html, cdc.gov/healthy-pets/rodent-control/seal-up.html",
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