Use a good quality live trap.

This is an example of a good quality live trap. The front door is spring loaded with an additional mechanism for holding the door shut no matter what position the live trap is in. The trip pan is 3/4 of the way back. This insures the animal is far enough inside the trap prior to "tripping" the door that they will not be able to back out of the trap. The bait should be trailed into the trap from a point just in front of the trap and trail into the trap. The reward can be placed behind the trip pan. My preference is to use a small disposible plastic cup cut down to about 2 inches and zip tied to the bottom fo the trap. This will prevent the animal from being able to steal food from the outside edges of the trap. In order to get the reward the animal will have to figure out how to get in the trap. When this is not done, no matter what style trap, the animal can trip the door and steal the food without ever entering the trap. When this happens some people will credit the animal with extraordinary intelligence the animal just doesn't have. The opposite is actually true. The animal reached in from the side because they have not yet figured out how to enter the trap and instead reach through the mesh to get what they can. Please read more about live trapping at www.bugspray.com or call us at 800-877-7290 to order your proffesional live trap.