This is a seasonal ritual at our house. I hear the mice move in with the cool weather and I get out the mousetraps. A tiny bit of peanut butter in the bait cup and they are caught. If I don't get all of them with the trap the rest seem to move on to safer pastures somewhere else after enough of their buddies have been killed.”

I would like to thank your company for making the "perfect" mouse trap. I have tried at least 20 other trap brands and they have all had various degrees of success, but none work as well as yours. My daughter bought me six (6) of your mouse traps for my birthday and after setting all of these traps around two of our properties, I was amazed at the response. Best traps I have found on the market.”
- Duane Schenck

Within thirty minutes or less of placing the Snap-E® Mousetrap, I had a dead mouse. I used some candy a mouse had eaten into as bait. I am ordering six more. These traps work! I have had about twenty of the old wooden ones sitting out around the house for three week and caught NOTHING!”
- Anne Smith

I'm catching mice every night in my greenhouse with these Snap-E® Mousetraps. They are so easy to set that I don't even flinch any more as I reset them - they never snap while they are being set. I've tried lots of different brands of mousetraps and these are far superior to the rest.”
- Mark Parsons

I love being able to catch multiple mice with one setup. This way I can let it sit for a couple days and catch multiples. The Ketch-All® Multiple Catch Mousetrap is the best mousetrap I've found. I'll be buying several more.”
- David Benn

You guys are great! Just a note to say 'Thank You' for the 2 Metal Lid Replacements for our Mousetraps. A great benefit was when I saw 'Proudly' made in America. That is what America is made of and we need to get back on track with showing the world! Great products, made by great people who back up what they produce! Look out mice... 2 traps back in service. Thank you!”
- Janine Hatt

I have set thousands of these traps while running Thoroughspect and have never found a better trap ever. The traps are exactly what a mousetrap should be in that they are fast-reacting, easy to set and release. In addition, they have a visible yellow bar that can be seen in crawl spaces and attics to see if they have been triggered.
- Brian M. Sweig

Latest News

5 Signs Unwanted Critters Are Preparing to Spend Winter in Your Home...And What to Do About It

As temperatures begin to cool, wildlife starts looking for one thing: a safe place to spend the winter. Unfortunately, that "safe place" is often your home, garage, shed, attic, or crawl space.

Many homeowners don’t realize there’s a problem until they hear scratching in the walls or discover damage that’s already been done. Knowing what to watch for can help you act sooner, protect your property, and prevent a small problem from becoming a much larger one.

Here are five common signs that unwanted critters may be preparing to move in before winter.

1. You Hear Scratching or Scurrying Sounds

One of the earliest warning signs is unusual noise coming from the attic, walls, ceilings, or crawl space. Different animals can create different sounds:

Mice often produce light scratching or scurrying, especially at night.
Squirrels are typically active during the day and may sound much louder as they run across the attic.
Raccoons can create heavy thumping or dragging noises.
Bats may make faint scratching or chirping sounds as they settle into wall voids or attics.

Any new sounds should be investigated before these intruders have a chance to establish a permanent home.

2. You Find Droppings or Nesting Materials

Unwanted pests leave behind evidence, even if you never see the animal itself.

Things to watch for:

Small rodent droppings in garages, basements, pantries, or utility rooms
Shredded insulation, paper, leaves, or fabric being used as nesting material
Greasy rub marks along walls or baseboards where rodents travel repeatedly

These signs often indicate that animals have already begun exploring or occupying your home.

3. You Notice New Entry Points Around Your Home

Fall is a good time to inspect the exterior of your home. Things to look for:

Gaps around utility lines
Damaged roof vents or soffits
Openings around foundations
Loose siding or fascia boards
Spaces beneath decks, porches, or sheds

Small openings may seem insignificant, but mice can squeeze through holes about the size of a dime, while squirrels and raccoons can enlarge existing openings to gain access.

4. Wildlife Activity Around Your Property Increases

You may begin seeing more wildlife as natural food sources become scarce. Common examples include:

Skunks investigating areas beneath decks or sheds for winter shelter.
Raccoons climbing roofs or visiting garbage containers.
Squirrels carrying nesting materials into trees or rooflines.
Mice moving from harvested fields toward nearby homes and buildings.

Seeing wildlife outside doesn’t always mean it’s inside, but it does mean it’s worth taking preventive steps before colder weather arrives.

5. Your Traps or Monitoring Devices Show Activity

One of the most effective ways to determine whether rodents are becoming active is through monitoring. Monitoring devices can detect activity long before a full infestation develops, helping homeowners and pest management professionals make informed decisions instead of relying on guesswork. If activity is detected, prompt action can often prevent rodents from becoming established indoors.

Prevention Starts Before Winter

The best time to deal with wildlife is before it settles into your home. A few simple steps can make a big difference:

Seal openings around your home’s exterior.
Trim tree branches away from the roof.
Store pet food and bird seed in sealed containers.
Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids.
Remove clutter that can provide shelter near the home.
Monitor for signs of rodent activity throughout the fall.

When Should You Call a Pest Management Professional?

If you’re hearing persistent noises, finding droppings, or suspect these pests have already entered your home, it’s a good idea to contact a licensed pest management professional (PMP). An experienced PMP can identify the species involved, locate entry points, recommend appropriate exclusion methods, and develop a plan to help prevent future problems.

Where Kness Fits In

Kness rodent control and monitoring products

Successful wildlife and rodent control begins with understanding what’s happening before choosing a solution. For rodents, monitoring plays an important role in identifying activity early and confirming whether control efforts are working.

Kness has spent decades helping homeowners and pest management professionals monitor and manage rodent activity with durable, reliable products designed for real-world use. From multiple-catch traps to snap traps and monitoring solutions, Kness products help provide the information needed to make smarter pest management decisions.

When wildlife becomes part of the equation, early detection, proper identification, and timely action can help protect your home before winter guests become long-term residents.