From Jennifer Lai,
Your Guide to Apartment Living / Rental.
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Eek! You have a mouse! Live mouse traps are an ideal way for animal lovers to get rid of mice.

Mice are easier to catch with a mouse trap than are rat, especially because they are curious explorers who will be eager to inspect a mouse trap. If you are uncomfortable by the idea of killing one, there are mousetraps, called "live traps" that simply shut in a mouse, so that it can then be released outside.

Most live traps consist of a platform on which you place food to lure the mouse. Once the mouse steps on the platform, the weight of animal triggers the door to shut, thereby trapping the mouse. You can then carry the trap outside and release the still living mouse.

The best food source for luring mice is peanut butter.

Place traps along the edge of room, around where you last saw the a mouse, or near areas where you have found mouse droppings. Make sure the traps are parallel to the wall, so that when a mouse is scampering along the edge of the room, they will notice the opening of the trap.

I advise using multiple traps, even if you suspect only one mouse. They will increase your chances of capturing the mouse. Otherwise, with one trap, you may wait for days before the mouse discovers the trap. Live traps tend to be more expensive than those traps that kill the mouse.

The number of traps you use depends on the size of your apartment. Mice range from two to three inches long and can squeeze through the holes as small as a quarter-inch! They are also incredibly fast, so it’s difficult to keep them out of rooms. If you can, try to place one in each large room. If you can only afford one trap, then, of course, set it in the kitchen area.

If the mousetrap is empty after a day, the mouse may have found a new home. However, if you still suspect a mouse, then try moving the trap around.

Mice run around at night, and they like to eat around dusk or dawn, so be sure to check in the morning for any captured critters.