Where possible, place bait between the rodents' source of shelter and their food supply. Put bait stations near rodent burrows, against walls or along travel routes used by the pests. Look for signs of activity such as droppings, gnawing, tracks and rubmarks. Rodents will usually not go out of their way to find baits. House mice seldom venture more than a few feet from their nests or food, so place bait stations no more than 10 or 12 feet apart in areas where mice are active.
Rats are often suspicious of new or unfamiliar objects.
It may take several days for rats to enter and feed in bait stations. Rodent bait station attached to the top of a pen dividing wall in a swine containment facility. Such bait stations must be securely fastened and kept out of pigs' reach. On farmsteads, bait station placement depends on building design and use. For example, in swine confinement buildings it may be possible to attach bait stations to wall ledges, or to the top of pen dividing walls.