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10 Scents That Will Naturally Keep Mice And Rodents Away

Field mouse sniffs the air.
Field mouse sniffs the air. Image by CreativeNature via Depositphotos.

Mice can be a real nuisance when they invade your home. While traps and poisons are common solutions, there are natural methods to repel them as well. Let’s look at 10 smells that keep mice away!

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint plant
Peppermint, image by Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Peppermint oil is one of the most popular natural mouse repellents. Its strong, minty scent overwhelms their sensitive noses, making them steer clear! To use this method, simply soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in areas where mice tend to appear.

Clove Oil

Field mouse on grain.
Field mouse on grain. Image by davemhuntphoto via Depositphotos.

The pungent smell of clove oil is another scent mice despise. Specifically, it has a sharp, spicy aroma that they find irritating. You can mix clove oil with water and spray it around your home to deter them from entering.

Ammonia

Field mouse eating a blackberry.
Field mouse eating a blackberry. Image by CreativeNature via Depositphotos.

Ammonia has a strong, chemical smell that mimics the scent of predators. This frightens mice and encourages them to avoid areas where it’s used. However, be cautious when using ammonia, as it can be harsh for humans too. Also, steer clear of this method if you have pets or young children.

Cayenne Pepper

Ground cayenne pepper.
Ground cayenne pepper. Image by baronb via Depositphotos.

Cayenne pepper irritates the nasal passages of mice. Moreover, its fiery scent makes it hard for them to breathe comfortably. So, sprinkling cayenne pepper around potential entry points can be an effective way to keep mice out. This is another method that isn’t the best if you have pets, as it also irritates cats and dogs.

Vinegar

Homemade apple vinegar and ingredients on wooden background
Homemade apple vinegar and ingredients on wooden background. Image by AtlasStudio via Depositphotos.

Vinegar has a sharp, sour smell that mice find offensive. Furthermore, its acidity is not only unpleasant to their senses but can also disrupt their scent trails. So, you can wipe down surfaces with vinegar to repel mice naturally.

Garlic

Garlic spray for plants
Garlic spray for plants. Image by Gresey via Depositphotos.

Garlic has a strong, pungent odor that mice absolutely dislike. Its smell is too overwhelming for them, making it difficult for mice to stay around. To employ this method, crushed garlic cloves or garlic powder can be scattered in areas where mice are active!

Eucalyptus

Field mouse on the forrest floor.
Field mouse on the forrest floor. Image by CreativeNature via Depositphotos.

Eucalyptus oil has a fresh, medicinal scent that mice hate. Its strong aroma can block their sense of smell, making it hard for them to locate food or communicate. For this method, eucalyptus oil can be used in diffusers or cotton balls to keep mice away. This smell also helps open up airways in people, so it can be helpful if you struggle with allergies.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon powder and sticks on wooden table.
Cinnamon powder and sticks on wooden table. Image by NewAfrica via Depositphotos.

Cinnamon’s warm, spicy scent is pleasant to humans but irritating to mice. It’s another scent that messes with their ability to navigate through your home. Placing cinnamon sticks or sprinkling cinnamon powder around your house can help repel mice. Additionally, this scent is very festive in the autumn or winter, which I love.

Dryer Sheets

Field mouse on straw.
Field mouse on straw. Image by drakuliren via Depositphotos.

Surprisingly, dryer sheets have a smell that mice dislike! This is because the chemical fragrances in these sheets overwhelm their senses. You can place dryer sheets near cracks, holes, or other potential entry points to discourage mice from entering. Clean laundry is my favorite smell ever, so this is my go-to method.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil on a plate.
Tea tree oil on a plate. Image by belchonock via Depositphotos.

Tea tree oil’s strong, medicinal scent is another natural repellent for mice. They find its odor too intense and irritating. So, applying tea tree oil in places where mice are commonly seen can help drive them away. Maybe consider dropping some in an essential oil diffuser or wiping doorframes with the oil.

Conclusion

Field mouse on the ground.
Field mouse on the ground. Image by CreativeNature via Depositphotos.

Using natural smells that mice hate is a safer and non-toxic way to keep them out of your home. Additionally, by regularly applying these scents, you can create an environment that’s uncomfortable for mice but pleasant for you. These natural methods are easy, affordable, and effective in keeping your space mouse-free! So, which of these sounds best to you?