Outdoor mice bait stations

When we moved into our house 8 years ago, we discovered that the prior homeowner had a bad mouse problem in the partly finished basement (colonial style home). We immediately had a pest guy come and he removed the drop ceiling tiles (which were filled with droppings), did some level of sealing around the exterior of the house, placed a few of these (https://store.doyourownpestcontrol.c...e-bait-station) in the basement, and placed 3 of these (https://store.doyourownpestcontrol.c...p-bait-station) outside the house.

My question is; do the outside stations possibly attract mice that otherwise might not go near the house? The inside stations show very minimal/no activity when he comes to check them, so it seems the outside ones are doing their job. However, I've been having some issues with mice in my car, and am wondering if the outside bait stations are drawing them towards the house/driveway/garage?

 

I'm not an expert but I don't think a mouse's sense of smell is good enough to be drawn in from great distance. I would assume the mice are in the area naturally and come across the bait stations as part of their natural foraging for food.

 

The theory that exterior and even interior bait stations can attract exterior rodents has been suggested by some over the years. I don't know if it's true, but even if it is, that means there are rodents nearby. We describe rats and mice as "commensal" meaning the rodents derive a benefit from living in proximity to humans, so I've always held the belief that the rodents are going to be a problem anyway, so I baited my customers property, just as I do my own property.

If the mice are getting into the car while it's parked inside the garage, maybe set multiple snap traps in the garage as well as the bait. Might get quicker results that way.

Is the pest guy doing only rodents as opposed to insect control? If so, you can buy the bait yourself that pro's use and do it yourself, unless you're in one of the states that doesn't allow it.

 

Thanks, my pest guy does insects as well.

Also, the car (along with my wife's which has no issue) are generally parked outside.