Official note: the best setup is usually two traps along the wall with the entry side facing the travel path, a pea-sized amount of bait, and no competing food nearby. If there are fresh droppings elsewhere, move the trap instead of adding more bait.
For an enclosed electric mouse-trap option, see: Electric Mouse Trap – Thanos Home
The checklist mentioned above covers the basics, but here are a few practical tips that make a big difference when dealing with kitchen mice:
Less Bait is Better: The biggest mistake is using too much bait. A tiny dab of peanut butter or hazelnut spread (about the size of a pea) forced deep into the trigger cup works best. If you pile it on, they can lick it off without tripping the spring.
Safety Around Pets/Kids: If you have pets or small children, use tamper-resistant bait stations or enclose regular snap traps inside a small cardboard box with mouse-sized holes cut on each side along the wall. Enclosed electric/battery-powered box traps are also much safer for kitchens since curious paws can’t reach the trigger.
Wear Gloves During Setup: Mice have a strong sense of smell. Always wear disposable rubber gloves when handling and baiting traps so you don’t transfer your human scent onto the wood or plastic.
Have you spotted droppings behind the appliances (like the stove or fridge), or are they out on the open counter areas?