Wear Gloves First

Your scent alerts rodents. Use the included nitrile gloves for handling the trap, loading bait, and positioning. This single step prevents the #1 silent failure mode. Before placing, also wipe the device thoroughly with a clean damp cloth to remove any human scent contamination transferred during unboxing or handling — even brief contact leaves enough scent to make rodents avoid the trap for days.

Load Bait Into the Top Dome Chamber

The bait compartment is the clear dome on the top of the unit — lift or twist it open to access the chamber. Apply a pea-sized amount of peanut butter or Nutella directly inside using a cotton swab, never bare fingers. The PIR sensor sits within this same chamber and detects the rodent's body heat as it reaches up toward the bait. Less is more: too much bait lets rodents nibble from the edge without fully entering the detection zone.

Place Flush Against a Wall — Secure in High-Traffic Areas

Rodents run along walls, never through the open. Place the trap opening perpendicular to the wall so rodents walk directly into the chamber along their natural path.

🔩 High-Traffic Locations (Barn Aisles, Warehouse Floors, Sheds): If the trap is in an area with foot traffic, livestock, or farm equipment, use the included screws to mount it securely to the wall or baseboard. This prevents accidental displacement, keeps the trap properly aligned along rodent run paths, and ensures the Hall safety sensor remains correctly engaged. A knocked-over trap won't fire — but it also won't catch anything.

Familiarization Phase — NO Bait for 3–5 Days (Critical)

Place the trap in position with no bait at all for the first 3–5 days. Whether it's on or off during this period doesn't matter — the goal is simply to let rodents get used to the new object in their environment. Rats practice neophobia (fear of new objects) and will avoid anything unfamiliar. Once they've accepted the trap as part of their surroundings, then add bait and activate. Skipping this phase is the #1 reason traps fail.

Activate & Monitor — Know Your Charging Schedule

After pre-baiting, turn the trap on. Check every 48 hours initially, then refresh bait weekly. The PIR sensor detects body heat and auto-resets after each activation — fully hands-free.

🔋 For Farmers & Outdoor Deployments: The 2200mAh battery delivers up to 60 days of standby on a full charge. In low-activity areas, recharge monthly. In high-activity seasons (harvest, grain storage, breeding periods), check the charge indicator every 2–3 weeks — frequent triggers draw more power per cycle. A 4-hour USB-C charge restores full capacity. Build recharging into your regular barn or shed walk-through routine so the trap is never caught dead in the middle of an active run.

Days 1–5: No Bait — Familiarization Only

Place the trap in position with no bait. Don't worry about whether it's on or off. The only goal here is for rodents to accept the trap as a normal part of their environment. Don't rush this — skipping it is why most traps fail.

Days 6–8: The Peanut Butter Test

Now add bait for the first time. Start with peanut butter + honey (the universal option). Apply a pea-sized amount with a cotton swab inside the top dome chamber. Leave the trap OFF. Check daily — if bait is being nibbled, you've found your winner. Move to Step 5.

Days 9–11: Switch to Nutella

If peanut butter wasn't touched, swap to Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread. The cocoa volatile compounds attract different species, especially roof rats and mice. Trap stays OFF.

Days 12–14: Try Protein Bait

Still nothing? You likely have Norway rats — they prefer protein over sweets. Try dried meat, beef tallow, or bacon grease with a drop of aniseed oil. This is the heavy-hitter for barn and outdoor rats.

Confirm & Activate

Once you see consistent nibbling, the rodents trust both the trap and the bait. Now activate the trap. This is when catches happen reliably.