If you’re looking for a way to get rid of mice without having to deal with the mess and hassle of traps or poison, try these natural repellents instead.
Garlic to the Rescue
Mice can’t stand the strong, pungent smell of garlic. Simply crush a few cloves of garlic and spread them at the entrance points of your home, especially before going to bed or leaving the house. The mice will be repelled by the smell and won’t dare to enter. For added effectiveness, try placing the crushed garlic in areas where there’s food and in dark corners to keep them at bay.
Chilli Powder: A Spicy Surprise
Chilli powder is not only spicy but also has a strong aroma. When mice inhale it, they will be startled and run away. Use a fine, dry chilli powder and sprinkle it at the entrances and exits of your home. The mice will be in for a spicy surprise and will scurry off in search of fresher air.
Cinnamon: A Sweet Smell for Humans, but Not for Mice
Cinnamon has a delightful aroma that humans love, but mice find it repulsive. The spice also has a warming effect, which can irritate the mice’s mucous membranes. Place cinnamon in areas where mice frequent, especially in dark and food-rich areas. They won’t be able to stand the smell and will look for less spicy accommodations.
Mint Leaves or Essential Oils: A Refreshing Repellent
Mint has a refreshing scent that humans enjoy, but it’s a different story for mice. They can’t stand the smell of mint. If you have mint leaves, crush them and place them at the mice’s entry points. Alternatively, use essential oils by either applying them directly or soaking them into a piece of cloth and placing it where the mice frequent. These aromas will send the mice running in the opposite direction.
Black Pepper: A Spicy Barrier
Finely ground black pepper can be a powerful tool against mice. The strong, spicy aroma will deter them from entering your home. Sprinkle the pepper at the mice’s entry points, but be sure to reapply it every few days as the scent tends to dissipate quickly.
Vinegar: A Sour Surprise
The sour smell of vinegar is another effective mouse repellent. Apply vinegar to the mice’s entry points by soaking a cloth in vinegar and placing it there. The mice will be put off by the strong sour smell and will turn tail.
Durian: A Smelly Solution
The strong, distinctive smell of durian fruit is enough to make anyone think twice, including mice. Leave the durian peels at the entrances and exits of your home, and the mice will be repelled by the powerful aroma.
Coffee Grounds: A Caffeinated Barrier
Mix coffee grounds with water and a little detergent, and place the mixture in areas where mice tend to chew. The combination of coffee and detergent will create an unpleasant taste and smell, deterring the mice from returning.
In addition to these natural repellents, it’s important to keep your home tidy and clutter-free. Mice are less likely to stick around if they don’t have places to hide, so make sure to keep your space clean and organized.