3 Ways to Use Lavender Outdoors: Effective Mouse Repellent

There’s nothing better than enjoying the peaceful outdoors, but then, eek! You see a mouse! Introducing lavender – a remarkable outdoor plant that holds the secrets to solving your mouse problem.

Lavender not only fills your garden with heavenly fragrances and picturesque scenes but also comes with a surprising ability to repel mice. Get ready to discover a natural, charming, and effective way to keep these pesky rodents at bay.

Mice tend to avoid areas heavily scented with lavender, which makes it an ally for those seeking a rodent-free outdoor haven. This article will guide you on how to use lavender plants strategically in your garden to deter mice without interfering with the aesthetics of your haven.

Understanding Lavender Plants as a Natural Mouse Repellent Outdoors

When it comes to repelling mice and rodents, lavender is a popular choice! Not only is it a pleasant-smelling plant, but it also serves as a natural mouse repellent.

Why Mice Hate Lavender

The scent of lavender is the main reason why mice tend to avoid this plant. Lavender contains compounds that are unpleasant for mice, making it an effective deterrent. An article from the Journal of Environmental Science and Pollution Research found that linalool and linalyl acetate, two commonly found constituents of lavender, had a repellent effect on house mouse diets.

Secondly, research suggests that lavender affects the neurological pathways of rodents. When exposed to certain compounds found in lavender, mice may experience disruptions in their nervous system, which could prevent them from navigating their environment as effectively.

You can read more about how lavender plants repel mice here.

Using lavender plants as a natural repellent indoors can be an effective way to keep mice and rodents at bay. The scent and neurological effects of lavender work together to deter these unwanted visitors from setting up camp in your home.

3 Ways To Use Lavender Plants Outdoors To Repel Mice

Lavender plants are here to save your garden, providing a natural and fragrant solution to ward off unwanted mice.

As you may know, lavender is a popular aromatic herb with beautiful purple flowers that belong to the Lamiaceae family. Its scent has been known to repel pests such as mosquitoes and moths! Interestingly, the same aroma that we humans adore seems to deter mice as well.

So, let us dive into how you can use lavender plants in your garden to keep mice at bay.

1. Strategic Placement In Gardens

First, strategically place lavender plants around the border of your garden or near areas with known infestation issues. This way, the lavender scent becomes a barrier, making it harder for mice to enter your green sanctuary!

2. Grow Lavender Near Plants That Mice Love

Another tip to implement would be to plant lavender among other plants that often attract mice to throw off those furry critters with a one-two punch!

Here’s a table of some of the most attractive garden plants to mice:

Plant Name	Description
Sunflower	Seeds and tender shoots are attractive to mice
Corn	Mice are known to enjoy nibbling on corn plants
Peas	Mice may feed on pea plants and pods
Lettuce	Mice are attracted to the tender leaves of lettuce
Strawberries	Mice may consume ripe strawberries in the garden
Carrots	Mice may nibble on carrot tops and roots

3. Use Other Forms Of Lavender

While fresh lavender plants are more potent in deterring mice, dried lavender branches can work too. Simply scatter them throughout your garden, giving special attention to areas with signs of mice activity.

CoolCrafts Dried Lavender Flowers are fantastic for spreading around the garden to repel mice. For a more intricate guide, check out our article on using dried lavender to keep mice away.

Now, we don’t want to mislead you; lavender isn’t a foolproof solution to eliminate your mouse problem entirely. But it can help reduce their presence outdoors while adding beauty and a soothing aroma to your garden! And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like a touch of purple to spruce up their green space?

Ready to start planting? Try out Seed Needs, Lavender Herb Seed Packet Collection to get started!

Other Natural Mice-Repelling Methods Outdoors

Lavender plants can be quite effective in keeping those pesky mice away from your outdoor spaces! But not to worry, we’ve got more tricks up our sleeve to help you create an even more effective barrier against these small rodents.

Mint & Peppermint

Peppermint and mint have a strong aroma that can repel mice. Planting peppermint or mint plants around your garden will not only deter mice but will also give you a pleasant-smelling space! Our guide on how to use peppermint plants to naturally keep mice away can give you more insight into how to use this plant.

HOME GROWN Mint Seeds for Planting Outdoors is a great way to start your mint plants!

Peppers

Cayenne pepper and black pepper are other natural repellents, as their scent and taste are both offensive to mice. You could sprinkle these spices around the plants they usually gnaw on or use them in a homemade repellent spray.

For more details on using black pepper, cruise over to our article on how to use black pepper to keep mice away.

Cinnamon & Cloves

When dealing with outdoor mice, consider using cinnamon or cloves to keep them at bay. Sprinkle the ground version of these spices or use their essential oils. The common theme among these solutions is their strong, aversive aroma.

Even cinnamon candles can have a repellent effect on mice, though their scent will be dispersed more readily outdoors. Instead, opt for cinnamon sticks! You can read about why cinnamon sticks repel mice here!

Additional Mouse-Repelling Tips For Outdoor Spaces

Keeping your outdoor spaces free from clutter is crucial for mice prevention. Be sure to regularly collect fallen fruits, trim overgrown vegetation, and get rid of any potential hiding places.

Here are a few more tips for making your yard less appealing to mice:

• Keep grass and shrubs trimmed back from your home’s foundation.
• Eliminate water sources, such as birdbaths, fountains, or any standing water.
• Store firewood away from your home and off the ground.
• Dispose of waste properly, and don’t leave pet food outside overnight.

Maintaining a clean and clutter-free space, combined with a selection of potent, natural repellents like dried lavender, mint, and a few specific spices, will help keep your precious outdoor landscape free from mice.

Complementary Mice Prevention Techniques For Outdoor Spaces

Lavender plants can be a great addition to your outdoor space, not just for their lovely scent and beautiful appearance – but also because they can help deter mice! It’s not magic, it’s science! Mice tend to dislike the strong smell of lavender plants.

However, lavender isn’t a full-proof plan. Combine lavender with other complementary mice prevention techniques for a solid defense against these pesky invaders!

Eliminate Entry Points

Firstly, you should focus on eliminating common mouse entry points. Mice usually enter your outdoor spaces through gaps and cracks.

So, inspect your home’s exterior, especially the foundation and walls, and be sure to seal up any openings. It’s worth the effort as this will also help keep out other pests, too! Steel wool, caulk, and hardware cloth like GoldPeak Hardware Cloth are your best friends for this method.

Use Lavender Plants

Now that you’ve tackled the entry points, it’s time to place lavender plants strategically. Plant them near popular hangouts of mice, like woodpiles, compost heaps, and around the base of sheds.

This can discourage mice from coming near those attractive spots. And don’t forget – you want to enjoy your lavender as well! So also plant some near your patio or seating area, making your outdoor space both pleasant for you and less inviting for mice!

Remove Food And Nesting Materials

To further deter mice, take a moment to survey the outdoor space with an eye for eliminating food debris and potential nesting materials. Remove any fallen fruits, vegetable scraps, and other mouse temptations.

And, while you’re at it, be sure to check for mouse droppings near food sources – these little warning signs can inform you about where to plant your lavender.

Compost piles are another mouse attractant. If you’d like, check out our article on why decomposing food in your compost attracts mice.

Additional Mouse Prevention Strategies

Some additional prevention strategies include:

• Securing trash bins: Make sure they have tight-fitting lids and are not easily accessible to mice.
• Reducing clutter and hiding spots: Keep your garden and yard tidy – trim overgrown plants, shrubs, and trees, and store unnecessary items away.
• Using other natural deterrents: Marigolds, onions, and garlic are also known to be unappealing to mice. Incorporating these into your garden can help provide extra protection alongside your lavender plants.

By taking these steps and incorporating lavender plants outdoors, you’ll be well on your way to protecting your home and garden from unwanted mice visitors.

Additional Considerations To Repel Mice Outdoors

Maximizing Your Use Of Lavender

Mice have an exceptionally sensitive sense of smell, which can be used to your advantage in keeping them away from your outdoor plants. To maximize the repellent properties of lavender outdoors, strategically place the plants around the perimeter of your garden or the areas where mice are known to be active.

Embrace Alternative Prevention Methods

While there are other substances with strong-smelling odors, like vinegar and ammonia, that are sometimes used to repel mice, sticking to a natural, plant-based method like lavender can be gentler on the environment and certainly more visually appealing.

However, it’s important to have alternative prevention methods in place as well – you can’t rely on lavender alone. For example, sealing any gaps or holes in your outdoor structures with steel wool can help keep mice from sneaking in, providing a multi-layered approach to mouse prevention.

Using Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is a more concentrated form than the plant and can be an effective mouse-repellent outdoors. The most effective way to use lavender outdoors is to create a spray by adding 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil, like Brooklyn Botany Lavender Essential Oil to a spray bottle full of water.

Spray the mixture around outdoor spaces where mice are present or where you’d like to repel them.

For more inspiration, take a look at our article on how to use lavender oil to keep mice away.

In summary, lavender plants can serve as an effective, non-toxic, and natural way to repel mice outdoors. By placing plants strategically, you can use their potent fragrance to your advantage. However, don’t forget to take other prevention measures to ensure that your outdoor spaces stay mice-free.

Exploring Natural Alternatives to Lavender

While lavender plants can be effective outdoors, it’s also good to know about other methods using household items and scents that can help.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are not just for relaxation, they can also help keep mice at bay! For instance, peppermint, eucalyptus, and citrus oils work wonders when strategically placed around your yard.

Dryer Sheets

Talking about dryer sheets, did you know they can also be used as a mice repellent? Simply place them strategically around your garden, and the mice will think twice before coming closer. Just like lavender plants, these innocent-looking household items pack a punch when it comes to repelling those pesky rodents.

We have a fantastic guide on the best dryer sheets that repel mice!

Used Tea Bags

Now, if you’re a tea lover, there’s more good news! Used tea bags can serve as an extra weapon against mice. Simply scatter them around the perimeter of your garden, and their scent will keep the mice at bay. Who knew your cup of tea could play double duty in your outdoor mouse prevention strategy?

For more guidance on how to use these unassuming mouse repellents, check out our article on how to use tea bags to keep mice away.

If planting lavender isn’t your cup of tea, consider these natural alternatives!

That’s A Wrap!

In your pursuit to keep mice away from your outdoor spaces, lavender plants prove to be an effective and natural solution! These fragrant plants not only add charm and beauty to your garden but also repel rodents.

Mice are usually attracted to gardens that provide them food and shelter, but with lavender around, they will think twice before venturing in.

Here’s a recap of the 3 ways to use lavender plants outdoors:

• Strategic placement of lavender in gardens
• Grow lavender as a companion plant to those that mice love
• Use other forms of lavender.

Here are some quick tips when using lavender plants to repel mice outdoors:

• Plant lavenders near entry points and around the garden perimeter.
• Intercrop lavender with plants that typically attract mice.
• Regularly prune your lavender to maintain its strong scent.

Consistently using lavender plants in your garden will ensure a mice-free environment, and you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor spaces without any unwanted guests. So go ahead and let lavender work its magic, making your garden a mice-free haven!

References

Jokić G, Blažić T, Đurović-Pejčev R, Đorđević T, Đedović S, Vukša M. A method for reducing environmental pollution by using essential oils in rodent pest management program. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 Aug;24(22):18257-18262.

Nolte, D. L., & Barnett, J. P. (2000). A repellent to reduce mouse damage to longleaf pine seed. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, 45(3-4), 169-174.

Pokajewicz K, Białoń M, Svydenko L, Fedin R, Hudz N. Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of the New Cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Bred in Ukraine. Molecules. 2021 Sep 18;26(18):5681.

Willoughby, I. H., Jinks, R. L., Morgan, G. W., Pepper, H., Budd, J., & Mayle, B. (2011). The use of repellents to reduce predation of tree seed by wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus L.) and grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis Gmelin). European Journal of Forest Research, 130, 601-611.