An effective method of baiting snap traps is to bind a small wad of gauze into the trigger with thread and then work peanut butter into the gauze until saturated. The gauze acts to entangle the rodent's teeth so they can't escape before tripping the trap mechanism. Set the trap AFTER you place the bait on the trigger!

Gum drops, bacon, nuts, oats and dried fruit may be used in addition to peanut butter for bait. When trapping mice, make the bait in each trap about pea-size and attach it to the tripping mechanism with thread or thin wire if necessary. Traps should be baited with fresh material regularly to remain attractive to the pests. There should be many more traps than rodents for trapping to be effective. It is best to place traps close to each other (every 5 - 10 feet for mice - no more than 20 feet for rats) and move them every few days if no rodents are caught. Be aware, though, that older rats MAY avoid a newly placed trap for over a week so, for rats, you may want to leave traps in place for two weeks before trying another place. Success is enhanced by placing traps with the trigger-end against walls where the rodents like to run. This allows the pests to run across the trigger from both directions. Traps can be reused without special cleaning. by University of Florida Cooperative Extension


Rat traps should be tied down or anchored in some way, as rats can drag the trap away if they are only partially (non-fatally) caught.

This is a traditional rat snap trap with a reliable wider bait pedal to ensure a quick catch. Snap traps work really well and kill instantly. Be sure to use enough traps; place one trap every two to three feet along the wall.