How to Control a House Mouse Trap
- 1). Place a glob of peanut butter, cheese, chocolate or bacon onto the mousetrap trigger. Smash or spread the food item on the trigger so that the mouse doesn't just slip into the trap, knock over the food, then escape before setting off the trigger. The more secure the food is on the trap, the more likely the mouse will get caught in the hammer.
- 2). Pull back the metal hammer, which is the metal part that looks like an upside down U. It will be difficult to pull up and back, due to the tight spring mechanism. Control the mousetrap by pressing firmly down on the trap with one hand while you pull back the hammer with the other hand. Hold the hammer firmly down on the wood.
- 3). Move the long, thin piece of metal, called the holding bar, to the middle of the mousetrap. Hook the end of the holding bar into the small catch hole in the center of the trap near the spring. Slightly release some of your pressure on the hammer to create tension against the holding bar, but don't completely let up the hand holding down the hammer.
- 4). Set the trap near a wall or corner where you have seen mouse activity. Slowly remove your hand from holding down the hammer so it sets the trap.
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