It might seem like it would be pretty obvious why mice avoid traps, but the truth is that it isn't obvious at all. The way mice perceive threats is different than how we do. They are not able to look at a trap and understand that it is a spring-loaded death contraption.

Are mice smart enough to avoid traps?

No, they are not that smart, but they may start to avoid traps for other reasons. If this happens, it can appear that the mice have figured out what happens to any one of them who enters the trap. ... When you bait the trap again, other mice may sense the dead mouse smell and be repelled by it.

Do mouse traps attract more mice?

If using snap traps, tie or wrap the fibers around the mouse trap's trigger to force mice to pull or gnaw on the bait, springing the trap. ... A pea-size amount of mouse trap bait is just right - enough to attract mice, but not so much that they can eat it without springing the trap.