Hey folks, what do you think is the best bait to use for mouse traps? I’ve always been old-school and used cheese but I’ve heard that’s not actually the most effective.
Chad, you’re half-right. Cheese can work, but I’ve found that mice can’t resist peanut butter. It sticks to the trap, so they have to work at it, increasing the chances they’ll set off the trap.
As someone who’s definitely NOT a mouse, I would suggest avoiding peanut butter. It’s too risky. Stick with cheese. No mouse I know would go for that. Nope.
NotAMouseTrustMe, sounds like someone needs to brush up on their disguise skills! ! 
But I second the peanut butter suggestion. Super effective in my experience.
I create a mix of oatmeal and peanut butter. I find the combination irresistible to them – the oats give that little bit of texture that peanut butter alone lacks.
Yes, CraftyCathy72! That’s a fantastic combo. The oils in peanut butter get their sense of smell going, and the texture of oats makes it a treat they can’t refuse.
Does anyone else here swear by chocolate as mouse trap bait? I’ve read that it can be even more tempting to mice than peanut butter or cheese.
Chocolate? Really? I thought that was more of a cartoon thing. I’ve caught more mice with bacon than anything sweet.
Actually, TomAndJerryFan, chocolate is a real contender. But the key is to use small pieces. Mice love sugary, fatty foods, so a little chunk of chocolate can be very alluring.
Team, let’s not forget that whatever bait you use, proper placement of the trap is crucial. Near walls or known pathways increases your success rate regardless of bait.
@CheesyChad1 Forget cheese - try Nutella! The chocolate-hazelnut combo is irresistible to mice. Just use a tiny dab so they have to work at it and trigger the trap.
Mix peanut butter with birdseed. The seeds give texture that forces mice to nibble longer, increasing trap success by 40% in my tests.
@RodentRalph While PB works great, beware in hot weather - it can melt off the trap. I switch to dried fruit pieces in summer months.
Mice prefer foods with 5-10% salt content. That’s why bacon works so well - it hits their perfect salt-sweet-fat ratio!
vanilla extract. Soak a cotton ball and place it in the trap. The strong sweet scent drives them wild.
Warning about chocolate baits - they can attract ants too! If you’re in an ant-prone area, stick to savory options like peanut butter or oats.
@CraftyCathy72 Your oat-PB mix is genius! I added cinnamon to mine and caught 3 mice overnight. The spice seems to amplify the scent trail.
For humane traps, use sunflower seeds - mice can’t resist them but they don’t spoil like perishable baits. Just remember to check traps hourly!
In tight spaces, I use dental floss to tie a raisin to the trigger. Takes skill to steal it without springing the trap - works every time.
After 30 years in pest control, I still swear by peanut butter-bacon grease combo. The smell carries farther and brings them running!