They are designed to kill the trapped animal quickly and humanely. Snap traps should not be set were children or pets will come in contact with them. The expanded trigger is the most versatile type since it can also be baited. Older snap traps with other types of triggers can be modified to produce an expanded trigger . Traps should be placed where rodents are likely to be.
Rodents are creatures of habit and prefer to follow the same runways they usually use.
It is important to identify these runways and place traps there. Runways can be identified by sprinkling a fine layer of flour or baby powder in suspected areas and looking for tracks. This is a safe diagnostic method for determining rodent activity, but should not by confused with the use of Rodenticide Tracking Powders which require a restricted use pesticide license. Rodents often run along edges and traps should be set along walls, especially where objects such as a box or appliance will guild them into the trap. The type of bait used depends on the species of rodent pest.