Catching a mouse isn’t just about setting a trap and hoping for the best—you need the right bait to lure them in. Mice are opportunistic feeders, meaning they’ll eat just about anything. But some foods work far better than others when it comes to getting them into a trap.
After years of dealing with mice, we’ve nailed down the three best baits to use in mouse traps—plus one terrible choice you should definitely avoid.
1. Peanut Butter – The Ultimate Mouse Magnet
If you only take one thing away from this post, let it be this: mice love peanut butter.
Why it works:
- Irresistible smell and taste – The strong scent travels far, drawing mice straight to the trap.
- Sticky texture – Unlike solid food, mice can’t just grab it and run—they have to linger to get it out of the trap, increasing the chances of the trap triggering.
- Readily available – Most people already have a jar in the kitchen.
How to use it:
- Spread a pea-sized amount on the trigger mechanism of the trap.
- Avoid using too much—if they can lick it off without setting off the trap, they will.
2. Chocolate – A Sweet, Deadly Temptation
Chocolate isn’t just a human weakness—mice love it too.
Why it works:
- High fat and sugar content – Mice need lots of energy, and chocolate delivers.
- Strong scent – Even small pieces have a powerful smell that attracts mice.
How to use it:
- Use small pieces of chocolate (dark chocolate works best due to its stronger aroma).
- If possible, partially melt a little bit onto the trap so they have to work harder to get it. You might keep the bar in your pocket until its soft and then rip off a soft nugget and mould it onto the trap’s trigger mechanism in such a way that makes it difficult to get off once it has rehardened.
3. Snickers Bar – The Ultimate Combo Bait
Snickers bars are a game-changer when it comes to trapping mice. They combine three things mice love—peanut butter, chocolate, and nuts—into one irresistible treat.
Why it works:
- Mice love all the ingredients – The mix of peanuts, caramel, and chocolate makes Snickers bars one of the best multi-bait options.
- Sticky and solid textures – The combination of sticky caramel and firm peanuts ensures the mouse can’t grab and run.
- High sugar and fat content – Mice are drawn to high-energy foods, making Snickers an ideal choice.
How to use it:
- Cut a small slice of Snickers and mould it firmly onto the trap. Make sure you use a piece of bar that has plenty of caramel. The caramel will act as a glue, preventing the bait from being removed from the trap.
- For extra effectiveness, warm it slightly in your pocket to make the caramel soft and stickier so it adheres to the trap. This will ensure that the mouse has to wrestle harder to remove it – increasing the likelihood of the trap being fired.
The Worst Bait: Cheese
Blame cartoons for this one, but cheese is not the best bait for mice. In fact it’s probably one of the worst.
Why it doesn’t work:
- Not as appealing as other foods – Mice prefer high-fat, high-sugar foods like chocolate and peanut butter. While cheese is high fat, it’s not high in sugar, making it less desirable.
- Easily stolen – Hard and medium cheese can be grabbed and carried away without triggering the trap. It’s better to have a bait that adheres to the trap’s trigger.
- Soft cheese, while it can be moulded around the trigger, they spoil very quickly if not stored in a fridge. Mice may be reluctant to eat spoiled foods if there are alternative unspoiled dining options available in a nearby pantry.
Final Tips for Effective Mouse Trapping
- Use fresh bait – Mice have excellent noses, and stale food won’t attract them unless there’s no other option.
- Rotate baits – If one bait isn’t working, try another to see what the mice prefer.
- Strategic trap placement – Position traps along walls, skirting boards and ceiling joists (if dealing with mice in loft). Mice generally travel along edges, and ridges, and in tunnel-like spaces (like behind kitchen units). They generally try to remain unseen, so tend to avoid passing through the middle of wide open floors. Position traps accordingly.
If you’re dealing with an ongoing mouse problem, baiting traps alone might not be enough. For professional, effective rodent control, which will involve our team getting to the source of the problem and blocking all mouse entry points into the building, as well as eliminating all rodents in the premises, contact Merlin Environmental today.
