London, Sept. 7: Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th-century American writer, memorably said that if you invent a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.

He didn’t say anything about the cheese.

According to scientists with nothing better to do, the belief that the way to lure a mouse to its death is with a lump of Cheddar is a myth.

Mice don’t like cheese; no wonder Tom is never able to catch Jerry.

Researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University, backed by the Stilton Cheese Makers’ Association, have found that mice prefer foods with a high sugar content. What will really attract a mouse into the trap is muesli.

As part of a study into which foods attract animals, the team found that a mouse’s diet is primarily grains and fruit.

The creatures turn their noses up at something as strong in smell and rich in taste as cheese.

However, Norwegian brown cheese is so sugar-laden that the theory may not hold good in parts of Scandinavia.