Do you hear noises in your walls late at night? It may very well be that you are in the presence of mice. In this article, we will guide you to the best measures to catch a mouse and thus, fix your mouse infestation before it grows.
When an infestation sets in, traps alone don’t always solve the problem: you have to understand the mice’s paths, seal entry points, and sometimes treat in multiple passes. To get rid of mice permanently, our technicians combine trapping, professional baiting and exclusion.
Mice disperse their urine and feces throughout your buildings. Care should be taken to clean up mouse droppings. They gnaw on cardboard, books, plastic and woodwork in addition to being constantly looking for food. They can also transmit several diseases such as salmonellosis and typhoid fever. Here’s how to catch a mouse.
1. Choose your mouse traps
There are several different types of mouse traps available in stores. Even though they work the same way, the way they catch mice can be different. It’s best to buy multiple traps, such as glue traps and electric traps, because a mouse is rarely alone.
The use of poison on a mouse trap should only be done by a professional exterminator, as he knows the right doses and applies specific poisons. We remind you that if you want to solve your mouse problem effectively and in the long term, it is strongly recommended to call a mouse exterminator.
A good exterminator will be able to identify the source and extent of the infestation, do the extermination of mice safely, and take precautions such as rodent caulking to prevent any further mouse invasions in the future.
If you do it yourself, we advise you to avoid mouse traps with poison or sticky traps. The mouse may die somewhere or in an unknown place. His corpse may cause a strong smell. Pets can find his body and eat it.
In the old neighbourhoods of the South Shore, for example on the territory of our exterminator team in Longueuil, houses from the 50s and 60s offer a lot of cavities behind the panels and in the foundations, which makes trapping more complex and often requires an on-site inspection.
2. Choose your mouse baits
When you need to eradicate mice from your home, the choice of bait plays a crucial role. Although cheese is often associated with these small rodents in popular culture, their diet is much more varied, which gives us several possibilities to lure them into our mouse traps.
In this section, we discuss the different types of mouse bait to guide you to the best option!
Cereals
Grains, such as oats or wheat, are very effective baits. The mice, attracted by these nutrient-rich seeds, will easily get trapped.
A notable advantage is that these baits are often available in our kitchens, making them quick and easy to set up.
Sweet fruits
Fruits that are high in sugar, such as apples or pears, can be used as tempting bait.
The sweet and strong smell of these fruits is irresistible to mice who are constantly looking for energy-rich food sources.
Peanut butter
Another popular choice is peanut butter (peanut butter). Its sticky texture and strong smell attract mice that appreciate fat and protein.
Peanut butter is also convenient, as it does not dry out quickly, ensuring prolonged attractiveness of the mousetrap.
Chocolate
For those who prefer a sweeter solution, chocolate is a great alternative. Small chocolate bars or crumbs can serve as very effective bait, especially if you’re looking to capture multiple mice in a short period of time.
Other interesting mouse baits
Non-food options such as cotton fibers or yarn are also very good baits. Mice collect these materials to build their nests, making them strategic baits when combined with food attractants.
It is better to vary the baits and position them correctly to ensure the success of your fight against mice. Each type of bait has its own advantages, and the choice may depend on the location of the mouse traps or the specificity of the mice in your environment.
Catching one or two mice is possible with well-placed traps. But to prevent them from returning, their access must be closed. Check out our recommendations for installing complete mouse insulation around soffits, piping and foundation joints.
3. Place your mouse bait properly
Avoid putting too much bait. This will allow the mouse to eat without triggering the mouse trap. A minimum of bait, on the other hand, will force the mouse to make more effort to eat it.
Ideally, the bait should be the size of a pea. It is recommended to put the bait down before setting up the trap, as it is easy to trigger the mechanism on your fingers.
To catch a mouse without killing it, you can opt for a trap consisting of a metal cage in which there is bait, ideally a fatty food such as peanut butter. This will trap the mouse and you can release it away from your home.
Where is the best location to place mouse traps?
To catch mice, set traps in a place where they circulate. The latter will often run along the walls. They will leave traces of urine and droppings in the places where they are used to passing.
When you have evidence of mouse passage in certain places, set up your traps. The trap trigger should be located on the side of the wall. Traps should be set up at a distance of 3 feet. Check your traps every day and get rid of dead mice as soon as possible.
How do you make a humane mouse trap?
Take the cardboard tube of a toilet paper roll and flatten one of the two ends. Add a bait to one of the 2 sides of the tube.
Then balance the cardboard tube on the edge of a table. The bait should be located on the end suspended in the void.
Place a tray below the end suspended in the void. Then wait for the mouse to fall into the bin. Then release it back into the wild.
If the problem spills over and several rooms are affected, we are already talking about a widespread infestation that deserves a comprehensive approach. Our rodent extermination service treats mice, rats and field mice in cycles, with a written guarantee on the treatment.
To catch mice, trust Nova Extermination!
For many years, Nova Extermination has specialized in the extermination of mice, rats and field mice. We put our know-how and expertise at your disposal to help you get rid of mice safely.
If you need to hire professionals to catch mice, talk to us now. We will be happy to answer all your questions.
Comparison of the five types of mouse traps
Five different traps and baits are available in Quebec for individuals and professionals. The table below crosses capture mode, speed of effect, cost and recommendation of use to help you choose according to your situation.
| Trap Type | Capture Mode | Speed | Cost | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snap trapInstant death | A few seconds | Very low | Most used, humane and effective | |
| Bait cage (Havahart) | Live capture | Variable | Moderate | For those who want to release |
| Electronic | Death by discharge | A few seconds | Moderate | More expensive but reusable, contactless |
| Glue Trap | Live Capture | Hours | Low Not recommended by the SPCA Quebec, animal suffering | |
| Rodenticide bait anticoagulant | Delayed death 4-10 days | Indirect | Low | Reserved for pros, secondary risk |
For the majority of residential cases, the instant bar trap combined with peanut butter remains the most effective, humane and economical choice. Glue traps are strongly discouraged by the SPCA for animal welfare reasons.
Three test cases and their strategy
One or two lone mice in a kitchen
Most common case at the beginning of an infestation. One or two mice spotted (fresh droppings on the work surface, teeth marks on packaging). Strategy: install 4 to 6 peanut butter bar traps along baseboards behind appliances, check twice daily for 7 to 10 days. Typical catch: 1 to 3 mice in the first week. If nothing is captured after 10 days despite signs of presence, move the traps to new identified routes.
Infestation established in an unfinished basement
More complex: droppings in several places, nocturnal sounds, sometimes visible nests in cardboard or insulation. Strategy: set 10 to 15 traps throughout the subsoil, pre-bait without arming for 2 to 3 days to get the mice used to it (neophobic mice can avoid an armed trap for several days), then simultaneous arming. Complete inspection of exterior access to identify the source. Duration of the campaign: 3 to 6 weeks.
Infestation in a food store
A case that requires a professional approach from the outset to comply with MAPAQ standards. Complete diagnosis by certified technician, installation of secure bait stations (specific key, inaccessible to humans and animals), documented follow-up with monthly report, integration into the commercial HACCP program. Higher cost but unavoidable regulatory compliance. Recurrence monitored for 12 months.
Why mice keep coming back
Capturing all the mice present is not enough. Without rigorous closure of entry points and work on pull factors, a new population settles in a matter of weeks. Understanding the three levers makes it possible to transform a one-off disposal into a sustainable solution.
Lever 1: close the accesses
An adult mouse passes through an opening of only 6 mm. Any crack in the foundation, improperly sealed pipe joint, or soffit opening greater than 5 mm is a front door. Inspection with a headlamp at dusk to identify air passages, caulking with steel wool in the piping areas and welded mesh on the vents.
Lever 2: Cut off food sources
A mouse needs about 3 grams of food per day. The kitchen is his main target: food in airtight containers made of glass or thick plastic, countertops cleaned every night, crumbs disposed of under appliances, pet food removed at night. Five days without access to food is enough to push a mouse to look elsewhere.
Lever 3: Eliminate water sources
Less obvious but critical: mice are looking for water even more than food. Repair leaking faucets, empty saucers from plants in the evening, do not leave water in pet bowls overnight. A dry kitchen and basement are much less attractive than a humid environment.
Questions
What is the best bait to trap a mouse?
Four baits proven against the common mouse, in order of effectiveness:
- Peanut butter : strong smell, texture that sticks to the trigger, the mouse has to scratch to retrieve it (almost always triggers the trap).
- Cooked bacon or fatty piece of meat: a very effective alternative, especially in winter.
- Chocolate or Nutella: sweet smell that attracts from a distance.
- Water-soaked cat food: a good last choice, especially if the mouse already frequents this type of food.
Avoid cheese: it’s a myth popularized by cartoons, the smell doesn’t particularly attract mice. Renew the bait every 48 hours to keep it smelling.
How many traps should you set for an infestation?
The rule of thumb: 6 to 12 pitfalls for an average residential home. A mouse travels 3 to 5 metres around its nest, so setting several traps in clusters (2 or 3 spaced 50 cm apart) along the walls where they circulate gives better results than a single trap. Mice follow specific paths along baseboards: this is where the traps should be concentrated, not in the middle of a room. Check twice a day and replace any triggered traps.
Where to place mouse traps in the house?
Mice almost always walk along walls (thigmotactic effect). Priority placement areas: behind appliances (stove, fridge, dishwasher), along basement baseboards, under the kitchen sink, near pipe ducts that run through walls, and in pantry or garage corners. Place the trap perpendicular to the wall, with the shutter release on the wall side. Avoid the center of rooms where no mice venture.
How do you know if the infestation is over?
Three concrete indicators: no new droppings visible for 7 consecutive days (mice produce 50 to 80 droppings per day, so the cessation is easy to see), no nocturnal noise in the walls, and the traps remain intact for two weeks. A diagnostic tip: sprinkle a little flour near the suspected crossing points. The absence of traces in the flour for three nights confirms that the circulation has stopped. Then count the closure of the accesses.
Are glue traps effective and ethical?
Glue traps capture mice alive but raise animal welfare issues: the animal remains trapped several hours before death, sometimes mutilating itself to escape. Several jurisdictions (United Kingdom, some US cities) have banned them. In Quebec, they remain legal but their use is not recommended by the SPCA. Mechanical snap bar traps kill faster and remain the most humane option for individuals. Electronic traps offer an even faster alternative.
What is the difference between a mouse and a field mouse?
Three practical differences: the common mouse (Mus musculus) measures 7 to 10 cm with a similar body + tail, uniform grey-brown coat, pointed muzzle, ears very large in relation to the head. The field mouse (Apodemus in Europe, or Peromyscus deer mouse in Quebec) measures 8 to 12 cm, with a well-marked white belly, smaller ears, and a two-tone brown-white tail. Field mice prefer basements and undergrowth, common mice prefer inhabited spaces. The trapping techniques are identical.
When to call an exterminator for mice?
Four situations go beyond home trapping: capture of more than 5 mice in two weeks (the infestation is extensive, several nests present), noises in the walls and ceiling (areas inaccessible to domestic traps), detection of gnawed electrical wires (immediate risk of fire), and presence in a commercial premises (MAPAQ standards, traceability of interventions required). A certified exterminator has the delayed-action anticoagulant rodenticide baits that cascade out the entire colony.
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Our teams cover Greater Montreal and the entire South Shore. We intervene as an exterminator in Montreal seven days a week (urgent cases of mice in kitchens, restaurants and condos), in Boucherville in all residential areas, and throughout the South Shore with immediate deployment in Longueuil, Brossard and Boucherville.
