I’ve tried peanut butter w/sunflower seeds as a topping but not cheese-whiz. Sage rats aren’t your typical rat and can be extremely distractive. Had a skunk issue a couple of years ago. Dispatched the adult and the next afternoon I had 5 blind babies crawling around in the yard. Still gives me nightmares. Would not suggest a live animal trap for the little cuties but 40 pds of crushed moth-balls spread on the lawn outa do the trick. At least we have no raccoons at our place on the high desert.