The Best Ways To Naturally Repel Mice

Mice infestations can be a nuisance in any home. Before you reach for harmful chemicals and traps, consider using natural methods to repel these unwanted guests. With a little research and creativity, I’ve found a ton of eco-friendly and effective ways to keep mice at bay.

Natural mice repellents work by targeting their aversions and sensitivities to certain scents and substances. For instance, essential oils, plants, scents and even some household items can act as powerful deterrents against these tiny invaders.

By understanding what drives mice away and tailoring your approach accordingly, you’ll be well-equipped to protect your home without causing harm to your family, pets, or the environment.

Although it’s clear that there are multiple benefits to using natural mice repellents, it’s important to remind oneself that each method has its own set of strengths and limitations.

By combining a variety of the techniques I’ll be talking about today, you can create a comprehensive and sustainable line of defense against those pesky mice!

Why Mice Hate Natural Repellents

Mice can be quite a nuisance in your home, but there are ways to repel them! One reason mice dislike natural repellents is due to their sensitive sense of smell and their inability to chew through certain items.

Mice use their sense of smell to sniff out food, and to protect them, as determined in a study published in the National Library of Medicine! When faced with a smell they hate or that’s too overpowering – mice will naturally back down from the scent because they will not put their safety at risk!

Household items such as aluminum foil and steel wool can be effective in keeping mice at bay. Both the sounds and textures of the materials, are enough to keep mice running, and mice can’t get their teeth through steel wool! Although not natural in nature, they’re safe and won’t harm any mice while being used as a repellent!

Essential oils like eucalyptus, citronella, and lemongrass can also be a deterrent for mice. The strong scent of these oils overwhelms their olfactory system, making it difficult for them to stay in the areas where these oils are applied.

You might be surprised to know that certain plants can also help repel mice too! For instance, lavender and daffodils both contain scents that mice find extremely unpleasant. Planting these in your garden or placing potted versions near entry points will help keep mice away.

There are also specific scents that mice just cannot stand. They dislike the smell of cayenne pepper and cinnamon , so placing these around your home can be an effective natural repellent.

And get this – these are all just a small portion of all the items that you can use to repel mice!

So, without further ado – here are the essential oils, plants, household items, and scents that will repel mice!

Essential Oils That Repel Mice

If you’re seeking natural ways to keep mice at bay, look no further than using essential oils to repel mice. They’re scent-sational! Plus, they work to keep those pesky rodents away. Let’s check out some popular options:

Essential Oil	Why it works to repel mice
Peppermint oil	Mice dislike the strong scent of peppermint oil.
Lavender oil	Mice find the scent of lavender oil unpleasant.
Tea tree oil	The strong smell of tea tree oil repels mice.
Lemon oil	Mice dislike the strong citrus scent of lemon oil.
Eucalyptus oil	The minty scent of eucalyptus oil is unpleasant to mice.
Citronella oil	Mice find the strong scent of citronella oil unpleasant.
Lemongrass oil	The strong scent of lemongrass oil repels mice.
Cinnamon oil	Mice dislike the strong scent of cinnamon oil.
Pine oil	The strong scent of pine oil is unpleasant to mice.
Rosemary oil	Mice find the scent of rosemary oil unpleasant.
Balsam fir oil	The strong scent of balsam fir oil repels mice.
Clove oil	The strong scent of clove oil is unpleasant to mice.
Bergamot oil	Mice dislike the strong citrus scent of bergamot oil.
Cedarwood oil	The strong scent of cedarwood oil is unpleasant to mice.

How To Use Essential Oils To Keep Mice Away

Not sure how to get started with these essential oils? No worries! We’ve got you covered!

• First, mix a few drops of your chosen essential oil (or a combination of a few) with water in a spray bottle. Don’t forget to shake it up! I love to use Majestic Pure 100% Peppermint Oil, when going with peppermint!
• Next, spritz the areas where you’ve noticed mice activity. The goal is for those little critters to catch a whiff and say sayonara to your peaceful abode.

For real go-getters, consider the following tactics:

1. Soak cotton balls in your favorite mouse-repelling oil, such as lemongrass oil or cinnamon oil. Leave them strategically placed, creating a barrier mice won’t dare cross!
2. Make a potpourri using any of your favorite essential oils and adding them to some dried flowers like from this set of 16 Dried Flowers! By adding the oil, and even the scent of the dried flowers alone, and then placing it areas that need protection from mice – you will surely keep mice away!

Plants That Repel Mice

You may also want to consider adding some plants that repel mice to your repellent list.

Plants like citronella, garlic and onions, lavender, eucalyptus and various mints, catnip, daffodils, citrus and lemon are all amazing plants that smell nice to us – but horrible to mice!

Plants are a natural way to keep mice away from both your indoor and outdoor spaces, so it’s no wonder why it’s a tried and true method!

How To Use Plants To Keep Mice Away

Plant	Why it works to repel mice	How to use it
Citronella	Has a strong scent that mice dislike	Plant it around your home’s perimeter or use citronella oil
Clover	Mice dislike the smell of clover	Sprinkle clover seeds in your yard, using these Nature Jims Clover Seeds!
Garlic and onions	Mice abhor their pungent aroma	Plant them in your garden or place chopped pieces near potential entry points
Catnip	Mice can’t stand it	Place some catnip around your home
Citrus fruits and their peels	Mice dislike their zesty aroma	Scatter lemon peels or use citrus essential oils
Eucalyptus	Mice can’t tolerate their minty scent	Plant these herbs around your home or use their essential oils
Wintergreen, spearmint, lemongrass, and peppermint	Mice dislike their minty scent	Plant these herbs around your home or use their essential oils
Daffodils	Mice dislike the smell of daffodils	Plant them in your garden
Lavender	Mice dislike its scent	Use dried lavender flowers like these Timoo Dried Lavender Buds, and place them in mice-prone areas in satchets!

Scents That Mice Hate

Using scents that mice hate is also really effective when it comes to repelling mice! In this section, we’ll explore various scents that mice absolutely despise.

Method	Why it works to repel mice	How to use it
Cinnamon	Mice find the strong smell of cinnamon unpleasant	Sprinkle cinnamon powder or place cinnamon sticks in their path
Vinegar	The strong smell of vinegar will keep mice away	Soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them in areas where mice are found
Coffee grounds	The strong smell of coffee will repel mice	Sprinkle used coffee grounds in areas where mice are found
Predator scents	The smell of a predator will make mice think twice about entering the area	Place predator scent, such as cat litter, used cat litter, or Coyote Urine in areas where mice are found
Dryer sheets	The strong smell of dryer sheets will keep mice away	Place dryer sheets in areas where mice are found
Mint toothpaste	The strong smell of mint will repel mice	Apply mint toothpaste to areas where mice are found
Hot sauce	The strong smell of hot sauce will keep mice away	Mix hot sauce with water and spray the mixture in areas where mice are found
Clove oil	The strong smell of clove oil will keep mice away	Soak cotton balls in clove oil and place them in areas where mice are found
Tea bags	The strong smell of tea will repel mice	Place used tea bags in areas where mice are found
Ammonia	The strong smell of ammonia will keep mice away	Mix ammonia with water and spray the mixture in areas where mice are found
Cayenne pepper	The strong smell of cayenne pepper will keep mice away	Sprinkle cayenne pepper in areas where mice are found
Black pepper	The strong smell of black pepper will keep mice away	Sprinkle black pepper in areas where mice are found
Cedar	The strong smell of cedar will keep mice away	Place cedar chips or blocks in areas where mice are found

These scents work because mice have a strong sense of smell and are sensitive to certain odors. These scents are unpleasant to mice and will keep them away from the areas where they are found.

Household Items That Repel Mice

Household items are another great way to repel mice! Not only are they easy to use, but you may have them lying in your house already. Here’s a list of some of the best household items to use!

1. Caulk – Use caulk to seal any cracks or gaps in walls, floors, and ceilings that mice could use to enter your home.
2. Steel wool – Stuff steel wool into any holes or gaps that you can’t seal with caulk. Mice will not be able to chew through steel wool.
3. Aluminum foil – Wrap aluminum foil around the base of trees and plants to prevent mice from climbing up and getting into your home.
4. Spray foam – Use spray foam to seal any large gaps or holes that you can’t seal with caulk or steel wool.
5. Door sweeps – Install door sweeps on all exterior doors to prevent mice from entering your home.
6. Sealed containers – Store all food in sealed containers to prevent mice from getting to it.
7. Copper mesh – Stuff copper mesh into any holes or gaps that you can’t seal with caulk or steel wool. Mice will not be able to chew through copper mesh.
8. Bright lights – Mice prefer dark, quiet places to hide. Use bright lights to illuminate areas where mice are likely to hide.
9. Food storage – Keep all food stored in sealed containers, like this set of 12 Airtight Food Storage Containers, and clean up any spills or crumbs immediately. Mice are attracted to food and will be less likely to enter your home if there is no food available.

To use these items, identify areas where mice are likely to enter your home and take steps to seal them off.

Use caulk, steel wool, aluminum foil, spray foam, and copper mesh to seal any gaps or holes.

Install door sweeps on all exterior doors. Store all food in sealed containers and clean up any spills or crumbs immediately.

Use bright lights to illuminate areas where mice are likely to hide.

By taking these steps, you can repel mice and prevent them from entering your home.

Other Preventive Measures

Besides repellents, it’s important to use preventative measures if you have had mice problems in the past, or have spaces that are prone to mice!

Using prevention methods truly make a difference, and can be the difference between a small problem and huge infestation!

Housekeeping Tips

Keep it clean! Mice are attracted to clutter and messes, so maintaining a tidy home is essential. Regularly vacuum and sweep floors to remove crumbs and debris. This will help deter mice from making your home their own!

No more “mouse parties” in your cabinets. If they have nothing to nibble on, they’ll probably find somewhere else to go.

Store food in sealed containers, especially grains and pet food, which are mouse favorites.

Seal Entry Points

You wouldn’t leave your front door open for mice to stroll in, would you? Check the exterior of your home for gaps and cracks, and seal them with caulk, steel wool, or other appropriate materials.

Don’t forget to scan your roof and foundation. Mice are expert climbers and will find ways to sneak in where you least expect it!

Inspect utility lines and pipes – mice can enter through openings around them. Seal any gaps with appropriate materials to keep these furry intruders out.

It’s also important to make sure your garage, car, sheds and other things kept outside are properly sealed!

Remove Food Sources

In your quest to repel mice using natural methods, eliminate their outdoor food sources by:

• Keeping garbage cans covered with tight-fitting lids
• Picking up fallen fruit from trees
• Regularly cleaning up pet food and birdseed

By implementing these preventive measures, you will be well on your way to keeping mice out of your home using natural and safe methods. Stay diligent and persistent, and your home will remain mouse-free!

Conclusion

It’s possible to repel mice using natural methods, such as with scents that mice hate, household items, essential oils, and plants.

The key is to test various approaches and find what works best for your situation – you may need a combination of the methods, or you may find one that really works well!

Frequency and upkeep matter when it comes to repelling mice, so always make sure your repelling methods are strong smelling and are in good standing!

Reapplying scents and essential oils every few days, is a good idea. Keeping up with proper plant maintenance is important, and making sure any household items are still in place will help eradicate your mice situation.

You can also use all of these methods mentioned today as part of a prevention plan – to keep mice from getting near you, your home, or your belongings in the first place!

Good luck, and may the mouse be ever in your disfavor!