DIY Essential Oil Mouse Repellent Recipe

If you’re a homeowner seeking natural ways to repel mice, look no further! Essential oils offer a natural and effective solution to keep these pesky intruders away from our favorite places. With various essential oils like peppermint, lavender, citrus, citronella, eucalyptus, pine oil, bergamot, cinnamon oil, and lavender at your disposal, you can create a mice-repellent blend suitable for your needs!

Creating your repellent is simple: gather a spray bottle, distilled water, and your chosen essential oils. Fill the spray bottle with water and add 20 drops of your preferred essential oil. Shake well and apply to areas where you’ve seen mice activity, like small crevices, under the kitchen sink, and near trash cans. Remember to shake the bottle each time you use it, as the oil and water may separate. There’s a bit more to it than that, though. Keep on reading and we’ll dive deep into repelling mice with essential oils!

Which Essential Oils Work As Mice Repellents?

Mice have a superb sense of smell which can be easily overwhelmed by certain odors. Essential oils have a highly concentrated fragrance which can be overpowering to mice, causing them to scurry away in search of some fresh air. Let’s take a look at some of the best essential oils to use as mice repellents.

Researchers at the University of Belgrade have shown that essential oils like lemongrass and tea tree oil can act as a repellent to mice. They noted that higher concentrations worked better long term. So if you find your essential oils aren’t deterring mice as you’d hoped, try increasing the concentration.

Peppermint oil is a popular choice due to its strong menthol aroma that confuses mice and covers up the pheromone trails they use for navigation.

Additionally, eucalyptus and pine oil can effectively deter mice. Their strong odors will make mice think twice about hanging around.

Lavender and citrus oils! What do they have in common? Rodents find their scents overwhelming and irritating. Apply these oils in your home in the same way as peppermint oil.

Speaking of citrus, another helpful repellent is soaking cotton balls in lemon or orange essential oils and placing them in areas frequented by mice. Similarly, you can use citronella and bergamot oils to create the same effect.

Clove oil is another effective natural mouse repellent. Mix 20 drops of clove oil into a spray bottle of distilled water and apply it in mice-prone areas.

Did someone mention cinnamon? Yes, cinnamon oil can also make a great mice deterrent! Mix it with water in a spray bottle and you’re good to go.

If you’d like to explore one more alternative, here’s a list of a few more natural home-made repellents to keep mice away:

• DIY potpourri with a blend of lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus oil-soaked cotton balls
• Sachets filled with dried lavender and mint

These essential oils can be an effective and natural way to get rid of mice in your home. For more options, and to find which oil works best for you make sure to head over to our article about all the essential oils that repel mice!

Why Essential Oils Work To Repel Mice

Peppermint: Mice dislike the strong scent of peppermint. This essential oil interferes with their sense of smell, which they rely on for navigation! Moreover, the intense menthol odor irritates their noses. So, using peppermint oil helps keep mice away and creates a refreshing environment for you! To create a repellent, mix 5 parts water to 1 part peppermint oil, and spray it around your home.

Lavender: Similar to peppermint, mice find the aroma of lavender oil unbearable! This soothing scent may help you relax, but it works as an effective deterrent for rodents. Combine lavender oil with water in a spray bottle and generously apply it to areas where you’ve noticed mice activity.

Citrus and Citronella: Mice aren’t fans of citrus fruits or their bright, zesty scents. Citrus and citronella essential oils, derived from the rinds of citrus fruits and the citronella plant, respectively, serve as natural, fragrant deterrents. Bonus: they also repel other pests like mosquitoes! Combine a few drops of citrus or citronella oil with water, and spray the mixture around the house to discourage rodents from moving in.

Here’s a useful table summarizing the effectiveness of each essential oil in repelling mice:

Essential Oil	How it Works	Why it Works
Peppermint	Interferes with their sense of smell	Intense menthol odor irritates their noses
Lavender	Strong aroma deters mice	Mice find the smell unbearable
Citrus & Citronella	Fragrant deterrents	Mice dislike the bright, zesty scent

Alternative Natural Repellents: If essential oil sprays aren’t enough, you can try these alternatives:

• Mothballs: Though not an essential oil, mothballs contain naphthalene, which creates an odor that annoys rodents. Place them strategically around your home, especially in areas where you have seen mice.
• Cotton balls soaked in essential oils: As an alternative to spray, saturate cotton balls with your chosen essential oils and place them where mice frequent. This method allows for a more concentrated, long-lasting release of the oils’ repellent effects.

These natural solutions are easy to apply and help to create a mouse-free environment in your home.

How To Use Popular Essential Oils to Repel Mice

Now that you know which essential oils repel mice, let’s explore how to use them to create mice repellents!

Peppermint Oil

Ah, the refreshing scent of peppermint! Not only does it make your home smell like a winter wonderland, but it also helps keep away the “unwanted” guests. To make a peppermint oil mouse repellent:

1. Combine 2 cups of water and 20 drops of 100% pure peppermint oil in a spray bottle.
2. Shake well to mix the solution.
3. Spray in areas you’ve spotted mouse activity, such as near entry points, around the garbage can, and under the sink.

It’s important to use high quality essential oils for mice repellent sprays. NaturoBliss 100% pure peppermint oil is a fantastic product! It even comes with a handy dropper in the lid which make it easy to add to your mouse repellent spray!

Mice find the strong menthol smell of peppermint oil irritating and disorientating, sending them scurrying away! Just remember to reapply the solution every few days, as the scent can fade over time.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus: great for koalas and as a mice deterrent! Use this aromatic oil to create an effective repellent, much like peppermint oil:

1. Mix 20 drops of eucalyptus oil in 2 cups of water.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
3. Spray in areas where you’ve seen mice.

The strong scent of eucalyptus oil masks mice pheromone trails, making it harder for them to return to their favorite spots.

Lemon Oil

When life gives you lemons, make lemon oil mouse repellent! Mice aren’t fans of citrus scents, and lemon oil is an excellent choice for keeping them at bay.

• Combine 10 drops of lemon oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle. Make sure to shake well!
• Spritz the mixture around possible entry points and high-traffic areas.

Remember to reapply your lemony fresh solution every few days.

Lavender Oil

Who knew that the soothing scent of lavender could double as a mice repellent? But hold on to your (potpourri) hats, because it’s true!

1. Mix 20 drops of lavender oil with 2 cups water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray in small crevices and other areas where mice are most likely to enter.

Not only will your home smell like a spa, but it’ll also be free of mice! And if you really love lavender – you can even purchase lavender air fresheners to keep mice away!

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil isn’t just for skincare anymore; it can help keep those pesky mice at bay!

1. Mix 15 drops of tea tree oil with a cup of water and pour it into a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture where needed. Remember to shake well before each use!

Citronella Oil

This oil is often used to repel mosquitoes, but it also works wonders in driving mice away. Make a citronella oil mice repellent by following these steps:

1. Mix 20 drops of citronella oil in 1 cup of water.
2. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture and apply it where mice are prevalent.

If you’re looking for 100% citronella oil, try this SVA Organics Citronella Essential Oil. It’s 100% pure and has a built in dropper for easy use.

Bergamot

Bergamot isn’t just for your Earl Grey tea, it’s a handy mice repellant too! Create your solution by:

1. Adding 20 drops of bergamot oil to a cup of water.
2. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and apply where needed.

Balsam Fir Oil

This essential oil isn’t as popular as the others on this list, but it’s still worth giving a shot. Prepare the balsam fir repellent by:

1. Mixing 15 drops of balsam fir oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Apply in infested areas and let the piney scent work its magic!

Rosemary Oil

Rosemary – not just a delicious herb for your roasted potatoes, but a mice repellent too!

1. Combine 10 drops of rosemary oil with a cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the mixture where you’ve noticed mouse activity.

Now you’ve got an arsenal of essential oil weapons to keep those mice away, and your home will smell fantastic in the process!

Household Items Repel Mice Too!

Steel Wool Keeps Mice Away

Did you know? Steel wool is your secret weapon against mice! Mice can’t chew through it, making it perfect for sealing gaps in your home. To use steel wool, simply:

1. Locate any gaps or holes in your house where mice may enter.
2. Stuff the steel wool tightly into the gaps, ensuring that it is firmly packed.
3. Keep an eye on these areas to ensure mice haven’t found their way through.

Steel wool is a great temporary solution to seal up gaps or holes. In the long run, consider using spray foam or caulk to create a more permanent seal.

Food Storage Containers Keep Mice At Bay

Your pantry is a mouse paradise, but a few changes can make it a no-go zone for them! First, always store food in air-tight containers. Mice can smell food from afar, but sealed containers will be a mystery to them! Here are some simple steps for better food storage:

• Check all food in your pantry, and discard any that may already have been accessed by mice.
• Transfer remaining food to air-tight containers.
• Regularly clean your pantry shelves to eliminate food crumbs.

Now, your pantry will be less tempting for those furry nuisances!

Aluminum Foil Works To Keep Mice Away

Call it the shiny barrier! Mice absolutely dislike walking on aluminum foil. They find the texture and sound off-putting. It’s not just handy in the kitchen; here are ways to use it as a repellent:

• Place aluminum foil under furniture, appliances, or near entry points.
• Use foil on surfaces where mice may travel, like countertops or behind objects.

Voilà! You’ve created a mouse-repelling environment using an everyday item!

Some Plants Can Also Keep Mice Away

Citrus Trees

You might love the refreshing scent of citrus fruits, but mice can’t stand it! Planting citrus trees like orange, lemon, and lime in your garden can help to keep those pesky rodents away. Not only will you benefit from a rodent-free garden, but you’ll also have juicy fruits to enjoy. However, keep in mind that citrus trees require plenty of sunlight and warmth to thrive.

Catnip

Do you have a green thumb? Try growing catnip to deter mice from your home! This aromatic herb, also known as Nepeta cataria, is a favorite of feline friends and a foe to mice. Planting catnip in your garden or keeping potted plants near your home’s entry points can be an excellent way to maximize their mice-repelling potential. Just be prepared for some furry visitors looking for a catnip treat!

Citronella

And now, for the grand finale: citronella! You’ve probably heard of this plant being used as a natural insect repellent, especially against mosquitoes. But guess what? Mice aren’t fans either. Plant citronella in your garden, and use its essential oil as a repellent indoors. Just remember to dilute the oil before using it in your home, as it may be too strong otherwise.

So don’t let your garden turn into a mouse’s paradise! With these plants and their powerful aromas, you can keep those furry invaders at bay – all with the power of Mother Nature on your side.

Preventing Mouse Infestation

Sealing Entry Points

Sealing entry points is a must if you want to keep those rodents out of your home.

• Caulk any small openings or cracks in walls and floors.
• Repair any broken screens or vents.
• Look for potential entry points near plumbing and electrical wires.

With the right materials and consistent sealing, your home will become less inviting for mice.

Keeping Your Space Tidy

An organized and clean home is less attractive to pesky mice. Here are some tips to maintain that pristine environment:

• Store food in airtight containers and keep pantry items sealed.
• Regularly clean kitchen counters and dining areas.
• Remove trash and avoid piling up clutter.

A tidy space doesn’t mean you’re safe from a mouse infestation! It’s essential to also regularly check for signs of mouse activity, such as rodent droppings, chewed wires, and scratches on walls.

Combine your space maintenance and essential oils-based repellent to create an effective, natural barrier against any potential mouse invasion. By following these tips, your home will remain mouse-free, and you’ll save yourself the headache of dealing with a pesky infestation.

Conclusion

The process of creating your own mouse repellent is simple:

1. Fill your spray bottle with distilled water.
2. Add 15-20 drops of your chosen essential oil.
3. Shake well to mix the solution.

To use this natural repellent, simply spray in areas where you’ve seen mouse activity, such as near entrances, corners, or food storage areas.

Regular reapplication of essential oil mouse repellents is crucial for maintaining their effectiveness. Mice may become accustomed to the scent if not refreshed frequently. Here’s a quick summary of the essential oils we’ve mentioned for repelling mice:

• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil
• Citrus oil
• Citronella oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Pine oil
• Bergamot oil
• Cinnamon oil

As you incorporate these mouse repellent techniques into your home, it’s essential to maintain a clean and organized space, as this helps reduce the potential for mice to find food sources or hiding spots.

Remember, finding the perfect essential oil mouse repellent for your home may involve some trial and error, so don’t be discouraged if the first one doesn’t work as well as you had hoped. But rest assured that with your efforts and these natural methods, you’ll be well on your way to a mouse-free home!