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These 13 scents repel mice and can help you keep them away from your home naturally.
Rodents such as mice have a very keen sense of smell much stronger than humans, and they use their sense of smell to sniff out our food and make themselves right in our homes.
The most important approach is to keep your home neat by storing and disposing of food correctly with possible entry points sealed off; above that many experts suggest using rancid smells to repel these tiny invaders.
13 scents that mice hate and can help you to keep them away
- Cinnamon
- This has a strong and spicy aroma that mice probably hate.
- Stash some cinnamon sticks in drawers, closets, and cabinets, and underneath furniture.
- Vinegar
- Mix some water and vinegar in a spray bottle to mist any areas where they have been seen more often.
- Dryer sheets
- Stick a dryer sheet in small spaces that mice may be drawn to and leave them for up to a week at a time.
- Cloves/clove oil
- Lightly soak some cotton balls in clove oil and leave the cotton balls in places where you've had problems with mice.
- Another option is to leave whole cloves in places where mice tend to hide, such as under beds and corners.
- Peppermint oil
- It is a frequent recommendation for deterring mice in the home.
- Similar to other essential oils, peppermint oil has shown varied repellent effects on wildlife.
- Teabags
- Boil water and make the tea, let it sit, and place the teabag in different corners of your home.
- Mint toothpaste
- Rub some toothpaste along baseboards, near doorways, next to any cracks, and any mouse holes.
- Ammonia
- The unpleasant smell that ammonia emits in the air causes extreme side effects including skin burns, eye damage, inflamed airways, or even death.
- Cayenne pepper
- Just sprinkle some cayenne anywhere that you have seen mice or expect them to be.
- Mothballs
- These are bundles of fabric soaked in naphthalene, a chemical that may cause severe health effects if inhaled in excess.
- Results from a study conducted by the National Toxicology Program reported that naphthalene caused an increased risk of tissue breakdown in the nasal canal as well as inflammation of the lungs.
- Chili oil/powder
- It is a common ingredient known for irritating when ingested or inhaled.
- Studies reported mixed results that chili may or may not be able to repel the mice from returning to the lure.
- Eucalyptus oil
- It has been proven to have strong repellent effects against rodents.
- It can significantly reduce the likelihood of an infestation when applied around the house.
- Cedarwood oil
- It acts toxic to rodents and has a fragrant, woodsy scent that is very unpleasant to them.
Other tactics to keep mice away
Additional tactics that homeowners can try to help keep mice away may include:
- Repellents
- Bright lights
- Loud sounds
Signs your house is infested by mice
Things that tell your house is invaded by a mouse include:
- Mouse droppings are seen especially in cupboards, food storage areas, and behind furniture
- Chewed items are visible including wood, furniture, food packaging, and books
- Nibbled food is found
- Scampering and rustling sounds more evident in the silence
- A “mousy” odor that is usually caused by droppings
Things to know about mice
- They can live up to two years in captivity but typically lead shorter lives in the wild.
- They can reproduce from when they are just two months old.
- Female mice can give birth to a litter every six to eight weeks, and each litter averages between 2 and 12 baby mice.
- They are motivated by survival instincts; they will do whatever they can to find food, water, and shelter.
- They are omnivores and can eat almost anything.
- They like to eat 15 to 20 times a day.
- They are constantly chewing wiring, books, magazines, wood, cardboard, and plastic because it feels nice on their teeth.
- Their teeth never stop growing.
- They avoid danger by relying on their keen sense of smell, which makes up for their weak eyes.
- They have preferences too; there are some things they love and some things they hate.
- Opposite to commonly believed, they do not love cheese.
- They are good jumpers, climbers, and swimmers.
- They can produce vitamin C for themselves in their own body.
- They are typically the most active at night because this is when the least amount of danger is present.
- They can fit through an opening as small as the size of a pencil.
