Mice and rats are highly intelligent creatures, which can make them challenging to control. Understanding their habits is essential for effective pest control. Here’s what you need to know about their behavior and tips to successfully trap or bait them.

1. Why Mice and Rats Avoid Traps
   Mice and rats are cautious by nature. They’re highly aware of their surroundings and quick to detect anything new or unusual in their environment, like traps. They also have a keen sense of smell, which allows them to detect human scent on traps or bait, making them more likely to avoid it.

2. Following a Set Route
   Mice and rats tend to stick to specific paths, often along walls or hidden spaces, creating what are called “rat runs.” They rarely deviate from these tracks, making it easier to predict their movements. By placing traps and bait along these paths, you increase the chances of them encountering and interacting with your setup.

3. Using Gloves to Mask Human Scent
   When handling traps and bait, always wear gloves to avoid transferring human scent. Mice and rats can detect even faint odors, and the presence of human scent on a trap or bait may cause them to avoid it. By using gloves, you reduce the risk of detection, allowing the trap or bait to blend more naturally into their environment.

4. Placing Traps and Bait Strategically
   Set traps or bait directly in their tracks where you’ve observed rodent activity. Be patient, as rodents may initially avoid new objects until they feel familiar with them. Over time, once the trap or bait feels like part of their regular route, they are more likely to interact with it.