EMERGENCY: MOUSE ESCAPE, NEED HELP RECAPTURING

by lizardtails Wed 03 Apr 2019, 1:37 pm

My mouse Luna--the sweetest, friendliest girl I have--escaped from their temporary play area while I was cleaning the mouse tank last night. I've currently set up several traps, especially in the last place I saw her, hoping to recapture her, but I don't know what kind of bait to use that will be likely to have the best results. I've put millet and oat spray, seed treats, yogies, and freeze-dried strawberries and bananas; her water bottle is also located inside the trap, it's basically a smorgasbord in there. I do not currently have access to any peanut butter. Are there any other things I can use that might lure her out of hiding?

I'm so :censored: up over this. I had a horrible nightmare that I accidentally injured her horribly and I still can't shake it out of my head. Any and all help would be appreciated.

by chiroptera Sun 07 Apr 2019, 1:33 am

I was going to suggest peanut butter, but if you don't have access to that, try other things that are pungent! Maybe some wet cat/dog food or baby food if you have that?

by WBCarson Sun 19 May 2019, 6:54 am

Get this. I got it from ACE
Ive used it to catch mice alive and also one of my new ones who escaped and went right up into the wall via the bathroom.
Dap of PB worked great
http://www.havahart.com/x-small-2-door-trap

by Teramis Sun 19 May 2019, 1:33 pm

It also helps to put handfuls of her bedding litter into the traps, or into a little hidey box where she can wander in--it will smell like home. I second the peanut butter idea but other aromatic foods may also work. Or somthing that is naturally sweet--maybe a dollop of jam. My girls sniff out mashed potatoes pretty quickly when I put that in the tank, coming out from the nest to grab a bite before everyone else scarfs it down.
For what it's worth, I have also had luck just lying flat on the floor (with a hide box ready to hand), and laid there *very very* still in a quiet room, listening for rustling sounds. Once that worked to detect the sound of my escapee's movement - once I knew where she was, I put the hide box nearby (filled with her home-smelling litter) and she jumped right in. Another time, that low-on-the-ground position allowed me to see her dashing across some objects near the floor, so then I could approach with the hide. (The trap is great if you can't hang out, but the portable hide box--I use an empty rectangular kleenex box) is super if you are trying to actively track her down and have narrowed down her area of activity.)
Good luck finding her!! That is so distressing when they get out like that. :/

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