I think part of “smart” is desperation. When food is limited, they become more experimental and bolder in foraging, makes them seem smarter.
Some research shows mice remember pathways and avoid routes where they experienced trouble. It’s like their own little map system.
Mice are good at evolving behavior over generations too. If trap + bait combination fails often, their offspring avoid those patterns faster.
They observe your habits. If you put out food at 6 pm, they might start coming closer right before—synchronized with your schedule.
@WhiskerWiseWendy Also, the more a trap or bait smells unnatural to them, the more cautious they become. That’s why wild bait works better sometimes.
Because they’re nocturnal, humans rarely see them doing reconnaissance. All their best tricks are under the cover of darkness, which makes them seem magical.
I feel like traps with adjustable sensitivity or hidden chambers are more effective against “smart” mice. If a mouse can’t figure out how to trigger it, you win.