We have at least a couple mice (I'm like 75% sure they're mice and not rats) roaming around downstairs. Of the two we saw, one is just a tiny little bablet, the other one was noticeably larger but still a small one, idk if it's an adult or not because I'm not that familiar with mice, I just know they're obviously different ages and therefore we're likely dealing with a family.
They don't really bother me; I'm mostly afraid I will step on them or one will crawl into the cozy warmth of our bed while we're sleeping, and while I think they're the cutest things I've ever seen, I don't want absolutely anything skittering on my bare legs in bed - I'm WAY more scared of cockroaches and I have had one of those in my bed before and... I just know it's going to trigger the same response if I feel a mouse, however unlikely that is. All that to say, I'm not really bothered them, but my girlfriend is having a meltdown, she is petrified. So I need tips on how to get them out of here, safely.
My other concern is that we have 4 cats - 4 indoor cats who are more hungry for stimulation than for tasty mice bodies, and yesterday my girlfriend witnessed our cats playing with (tormenting) one of the poor little guys, and I don't want them to get tortured and eviscerated.
So far we have placed 4 humane traps in corners and up against walls where we have seen them, 2 baited with cat food (since we have seen one eating the cat food), one baited with bread, and one baited with peanut butter. The peanut butter one I placed last night, but none of them have gone for it yet. The other ones I placed just now. I also dusted the corners of the room with cinnamon after reading that that might ward them off, but the little guy I just saw was literally just hanging out in a big dusting of cinnamon, so I have to believe it's not really bothering them, or at least making them avoid her room (the basement).
What else can I do?
There are humane traps you can use. Basically they work like a regular mouse trap (or gopher trap) but instead of killing them you just bait them and the trap triggers a door so you can go safely release them.
Here's an example
I have used similar traps for decades they are very effective, and bonus points you get to see your little mouse squatter up close and personal before you let them go on their way.
The traps are all pretty much indefinitely reusable so you should only need a couple at most.
I honestly had no idea people didn't know about humane trapping it's super effective.
Yeah like I said in my post we got 4 of these running right now - they're pretty much exactly what you posted. What do you bait them with though? I'm trying a few different things currently.
Peanut butter was what worked for me. I had rats, though.
grains and seeds work well
Well cheese is a myth for one.
I'm gonna go with cat food for now since we literally saw the biggest one grabbing cat food out of one of the bowls
oh yeah cat food is probably a good bet. Whatever they are getting into is generally a good bet