Mice rely a lot on their sense of smell to sniff out food. Because of that, you might be able to drive them away using the right smells. There are some smells that mice hate and other smells that they fear and will run away from. There are also some methods that shouldn't be used at all.
Mothballs
One of the worst ways to deter a mouse is to use mothballs. A mothball can actually damage the mouse's sense of smell and make other repellents ineffective as a result. The only upside is that the mouse may not be able to smell trails it created previously using urine to find your home. But overall, there are better and more humane methods.
Peppermint Oil
High concentrations of peppermint oil are effective at deterring a wide variety of wildlife, including rodents. However, a high concentration of peppermint oil can also cause skin and throat irritation for anyone who comes in contact with it, so this method might become impractical.
Bay Leaves
If you have bay leaves, you can grind them and sprinkle them near common mouse entryways. However, this method is not used often because bay leaves are more expensive than peppermint oil—but it is safer.
Cat Hair
If you have a cat, sprinkling cat hair near areas where you think mice enter can be a way to deter mice. If you don't have a cat, ask a neighbor if you can have some of their cat hair. However, if you're allergic to cats, this method might not work.
Fabric Softener Sheets
A lot of the deterrents are inconvenient or may make your home smell bad. One better-smelling option is to use fabric softener sheets. Simply stick them in the areas where you think mice are entering. Push them into cracks and holes.
Hot Sauce
Hot sauce is a common deterrent used against pests and is effective against mice as well. By combining it with dish detergent and water, you can spray any areas where you believe the mice enter through a spray bottle as a convenient way to treat your home against mice.
Pest Control Specialists
The best way to remove mice is to contact a mice pest control specialist. Most pest control companies are trained in removing mice; a company that specializes in mice pest control will be trained in the latest methods and can also remove mice humanely.
For more information, contact a company like Anteater Pest Control.
Share25 June 2019
Do you spend your spring and summer months battling the pests that enter your home? There are many ways to prevent the intrusion of ants, roaches, flies, mosquitoes, mice and other pests in your home. I own several rental properties that I have to be sure do not get infested with all sorts of pests and have learned a lot about preventing the intrusion to begin with. You can learn from my personal experiences and keep the pests from ever becoming a serious issue in your home. With a few minor changes to the home and working with a skilled pest control agent, your home can be pest-free forever!
