How To Repel Mice? – Scents, Sounds, and Things They Hate

how to repel mice

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When scouring your home for items that might attract mice, it’s essential to know what they like (and don’t!). The same things which we find attractive – warm and cozy spaces, nutrient-rich food sources, household clutter – also appeal to these persistent pests. But just because you share some qualities with a pesky critter doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to cohabitation with them. 

Keep yourself one step ahead by understanding the items mice typically despise and using them as deterrents in your home. 

We’ve listed several of these in this post so you can outwit even the cleverest of rodents! Keep reading to find out!

How To Repel Mice?

It’s the season for mice, but don’t let them make themselves at home! It may seem like a daunting task to try and deter these rodents from entering your property, but it is possible with some key strategies. 

Most importantly, ensure that all entryways to your house are securely sealed up, as well as areas of potential shelter. Reducing the clutter around the home is an excellent idea too – fewer places to hide means they’re less likely to get cozy in your abode. 

Not only that but what mouse would want to hang out in an orderly environment with no crumbs anywhere? Definitely not very inviting! Keep it clean and put proactive measures in place to maximize your chances of avoiding any unwelcome visitors.

Here is a list of typical methods homeowners use to try to keep mice at bay:

  • Repellents
  • Bright lights
  • Strong smells
  • Loud sounds

Botanical Repellents

Using a plant-based mouse repellent in place of a trap or poison is a tried-and-true alternative. The natural components used in Fresh Cab® and Stay Away® Rodent Repellents include plant fiber and balsam fir oil.

The essential oils in these scent pouches provide an aroma that is pleasing to humans but overpowering to rats. When rodents smell the pouch, they won’t go near it and will stay away from regions that have been treated.

how to repel mice

Are Lights Good Mice Repellents?

While many rodents like mice are not 100% nocturnal, there’s a good reason why they tend to do most of their foraging and exploring under the cover of darkness. That’s because these small, furry critters aren’t exactly known for their impeccable eyesight. 

Not to mention the fact that they definitely don’t appreciate beams from bright lights – it’s almost like a mini vampire situation you’ve got going on! Furthermore, just like humans, mice tend to prefer safety over everything else. 

That being said, staying up all night long is much better than sharing the same day with larger predators or falling prey to loud noises and light flashes from passing cars or humans. 

What Scents Do Mice Hate?

It’s common knowledge that mice aren’t very fond of human presence, but what most people don’t know is that there are certain scents they hate even more! Peppermint, ammonia, and garlic are just a few of the strong odors that mice despise. 

Not only that, but when combined in a mixture, these scents can be even more effective for keeping them away. That said, you might want to prepare some “mouse repellent” by adding a few drops of each one to cotton balls and placing them around your house or garage. 

It won’t continue to work indefinitely, as the scent needs to be regularly refreshed, but it could act as temporary relief while you take further steps against any rodent infestation.

how to repel mice

Sounds That Repel Mice

If any homeowner knows that four-legged pests can be a nuisance, it’s likely the mouse. While these pesky little critters may seem harmless, they can cause considerable damage to your home. 

Fortunately, there are ways to repel mice with sound! Although every mouse might not respond in the same way, various sounds in your home – such as radio static, running water, or even certain musical notes – may help get rid of them by intimidating or annoying them until they flee. 

Sounds like this won’t hurt the mice but since no one wants these intruders inside their home, making some noise could be just enough to keep them away!

Things You Should Pay Attention To

When dealing with mice and rodents, it is good to know what repels them, as well as what attracts them. 

Mice are certainly persistent creatures, finding ways to enter our homes all year round. In the summer, scorching temperatures drive mice inside for refuge from extreme heat, and in the winter, searching for food and warmth becomes a top priority. 

However, have you ever wondered what truly attracts mice through each of the seasons? It’s actually quite simple – safety and food. 

In the spring, a mouse’s hunting skills really kick into high gear; once warm weather arrives, they start to scurry around looking for seeds and insects in outdoor gardens and compost piles. 

Enjoying the abundance of summer, others seek out small holes in our homes or garages, as well as enter through chimneys or openings beneath soffits and overhangs. 

But they also prepare for winter – inclement weather means little to no food outdoors, so mice take advantage of our pantries and kitchens by raiding popcorn boxes and cereal boxes. 

In order to prevent mice from taking over your home, the key is to be proactive. Start by taking a good look around the exterior of your house looking for any cracks or holes which need to be sealed. 

Inside, make sure you’re storing all of your food in containers with tight-fitting lids, regularly clean up food residue, and if you’re up for it, try setting a few mice traps strategically placed about the house. 

Finally, get rid of any clutter that could provide homes for curious rodents. With these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to a mouse-free environment!

how to repel mice

Final Note

It’s never fun to deal with a mice infestation, but following these tips should help you get rid of them for good. Be sure to try out a few different methods until you find the one that works best for your home. 

And if all else fails, remember that there are always professional exterminators who can lend a helping hand. 

Have you ever had to deal with a mouse problem? What did you do to get rid of them? Let us know in the comments below!

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