It took 4 weeks for the rat to try it after one failed trip, but it got him. I recommend baiting it without setting it at least once, maybe more if you can handle it, then set it once the critters have no fear of it. My first miss cause the rat to avoid it for over 4 weeks before he tried again and was killed. On camera it appeared he was never "in" the trap, but had a fatal blow with the trap anyway.