@CountryGal92 Sunflower seed idea is great! I thread a few onto the trigger hook - makes them pull harder to get the prize. Plus the seeds add texture they can’t resist.
Had the same issue in my apartment. Switched to placing tiny dabs of bait in multiple spots on the trigger instead of one big glob. Tripled my catch rate overnight!
If using snap traps around kids/pets, secure them inside small cardboard boxes with mouse-sized entry holes. Still catches mice but prevents accidental snaps on fingers/paws.
Mice can lick peanut butter without triggering traps because their tongues are so dexterous. Using chunkier bait like @FarmLife oatmeal mix forces them to use teeth = better trigger action.
Modified my traps by bending the trigger wire to be more sensitive. Now even the lightest touch sets it off. @TrapMaster under-plate method combined with this works perfectly!
Consistency is key! Check and rebait traps daily at the same time. Mice are creatures of habit and will return to reliable food sources. @yumani64 Is right about fresh bait - it makes all the difference.
Official note: when bait disappears but the trap does not fire, use less bait, place it deeper on the trigger area, and move the trap directly against the travel path. Mice can lick or steal oversized bait without committing their weight to the trigger.
For enclosed/electric mouse control, see: Electric Mouse Trap – Thanos Home
For larger rodent pressure, see: https://thanoshome.com/product/thanos-mk47-rodent-trap/