If you’ve got mice sneaking around your home, you’ll want to deal with them quickly—and effectively. But here’s the thing. You can set out all the traps you want, but if you’re not using the right bait, you might not catch a thing. Mice are clever, cautious, and surprisingly picky, so choosing the best bait can make all the difference between success and frustration.

Let’s walk through what works best, what to avoid, and how to use each bait properly so you actually catch the mice causing all that scratching and scurrying.

What Makes a Good Bait for Mice?

The best bait isn’t just something a mouse might nibble on. It has to tick a few boxes:

• It needs to have a strong scent. Mice rely heavily on smell.
• It should be high in calories. They want quick energy.
• It must be something they feel safe eating. If it’s too new or odd, they’ll avoid it.

And importantly, the bait should be easy to secure to your trap. If a mouse can grab it and run, you’ll be left with an empty trap.

What Foods Do Mice Like Most?

You’d think cheese is a sure bet because of what we see on telly, but in real life, mice go for other things more often. Here’s a comparison of some of the top baits:

You’ll notice a pattern: it’s not just about taste. Smell and texture matter just as much. Mice are curious, but they’ll test a new food first. So when you’re trying a new bait, don’t give up after one night.

Best Mice Baits Compared (Visual Star Ratings)

Is Peanut Butter Really the Best Bait for Mice?

Yes, peanut butter often tops the list—and for good reason. It smells strong, sticks well to the trap, and has the high-calorie content mice love. A small dab is all you need. You can press it into the trigger mechanism of a snap trap so they have to work a bit to get it out, which increases the chance of triggering the trap.

But here’s a tip: Don’t overdo it. Too much peanut butter and a mouse can just lick around the edges. You want just enough so they need to nibble at it from the trigger area.

If you’re dealing with mice that aren’t responding to peanut butter, it’s worth trying something else like chocolate or a piece of cooked bacon.

Can You Use Poison as Bait?

You can, but it’s not as simple as putting out rat poison and waiting. First, poison bait isn’t always legal to use without a licence in the UK, and second, it can be dangerous if you’ve got kids or pets.

Also, poison doesn’t always solve your problem. Mice can die in places you can’t reach, and then you’ve got a smell to deal with. If you go down this route, be sure to use tamper-proof bait boxes, and consider it more of a last resort.

If you’re just after quick control, traps with food bait are safer, more humane, and just as effective—especially if you’re catching them before an infestation spreads.

Should You Bait a Trap Differently for a Snap Trap vs a Humane Trap?

Yes, the style of trap changes how you bait it.

• For snap traps, you want sticky bait—something that takes a bit of effort to pull off. Peanut butter, Nutella, or a piece of chocolate pressed in tightly works well. The goal is to make the mouse work for it.
• For humane traps, it’s a little different. You’re not relying on a trigger, so you can use seeds, cereals, or even bits of apple. You’re trying to draw them inside rather than activate a snap.

What If the Mice Aren’t Taking the Bait?

If your traps have been out for days and nothing’s touched them, there could be a few reasons:

1. Wrong placement. Mice tend to run along walls and edges, not across open rooms. Place traps where they travel.
2. Too much human scent. Don’t handle the traps with bare hands. Use gloves to keep your scent off.
3. Competing food sources. If there’s easy access to crumbs, pet food, or bin bags, they might ignore the bait altogether.
4. They’re suspicious. Mice are wary of new objects. It might take them a night or two to approach something unfamiliar.

Try different baits, different spots, and always keep the area as clean as you can to make the bait the most appealing option.

Can You Mix Baits for Better Results?

Yes, mixing can work. You can smear a bit of peanut butter on a seed or stick it to a bit of biscuit. This gives the mouse something familiar (like a grain) and something irresistibly smelly (like peanut butter).

Mixing works especially well if you’ve got a stubborn mouse that’s not taking the bait. The combination of smells and textures makes it harder for them to resist.

What Should You Avoid Using as Bait?

Not everything works. Some things either don’t appeal to mice or they make it too easy for them to take the bait without triggering the trap.

Here’s what to avoid:

• Cheddar cheese: It dries out quickly and doesn’t always tempt mice.
• Loose crumbs: Too easy for them to snatch without setting off the trap.
• Fruits with low scent: Apples and carrots can work, but only if you’ve tried stronger-smelling options first.
• Anything perishable if not checked often: Rotten bait can repel mice and bring in other pests.

Stick to strong-smelling, sticky, high-energy options where possible.

Are There Situations Where Food Isn’t the Best Bait?

In some cases, yes. If you’re dealing with smart or trap-shy mice—maybe ones that have survived a few failed traps—you might need to switch tactics.

You can try nesting materials as bait instead of food. Think cotton wool, string, bits of fabric. Place them on the trap in the same way, and a mouse looking to build a nest might grab it.

This trick works especially well in lofts or garages during colder months, when they’re more likely to be nesting.

How Often Should You Replace the Bait?

Every couple of days is a good rule. Some baits, like chocolate or peanut butter, can go stale or dry out. Fresh bait always smells stronger, which is what you want.

If you’re not getting bites after three days, it’s also a sign to try something else—or move the trap to a better spot.

What’s the Best Bait for Mice in the UK?

You might find that preferences vary slightly depending on where the mice are living—urban mice near restaurants might go for chocolate, while rural mice might prefer grains. But across the UK, peanut butter remains the go-to option, closely followed by Nutella and cooked meat like bacon.

If you’ve got pets or children, you’ll also want something safe and easy to handle. Peanut butter and chocolate tick both boxes.

Here’s a quick comparison table again, with UK homes in mind:

What’s the Final Verdict?

If you want a simple answer—start with peanut butter. It works most of the time. If it doesn’t, try something sweeter like chocolate, or meatier like bacon. Just keep it fresh, place it right, and don’t be afraid to change things up.

And remember, catching mice isn’t just about the bait—it’s about your whole setup. Clean the area, seal up food sources, and be patient. Once you’ve caught a few, the rest often follow.

You’re not just choosing bait—you’re setting a trap for peace and quiet in your home. Pick the right one, and the scratching in the walls could be gone in a day or two.