Does peppermint essential oil really repel mice? Let's find out
Mice are unfortunately quite a commonly found pest in cities and we need to do our best to keep them at bay. Mice damage our food supplies, our furniture and sometimes, the very structural supports of our homes. Above all, they also carry (and transmit) numerous diseases.
There are different ways to get rid of mice in homes, and obviously, as the saying goes, "prevention is better than cure". One way to keep mice away from our homes is to use various repellent products, and one of these is peppermint essential oil.
All-natural and eco-friendly, using peppermint oil as a mouse repellent might seem to be an ideal solution (and fresh-smelling too!). But does it really work? Well, let's find out:
What is peppermint oil and why is it an excellent repellent?
British Pest Control Association/Flickr
Peppermint essential oil is a product obtained through the steam distillation of the leaves of the mint plant, and has a very distinctive, strong smell. Peppermint oil has calming and anti-stress properties for humans, but due to its intense odor, it is unpleasant for many insects and animals.
Peppermint oil is especially effective in repelling spiders and mice. As mice "smell" their environments through their paws, as well as with their snouts, peppermint oil on surfaces is a very effective repellent against this pest.
Although not absolutely guaranteed, peppermint essential oil can prove to be very useful in keeping mice away from your homes, especially if combined with other useful preventative measures.
How to use peppermint essential oil to repel mice
But how do you use peppermint essential oil to keep mice away? First, identify the areas where mice are accessing your home and where they are moving around. Then, proceed as follows:
- Apply undiluted peppermint essential oil directly to the affected area;
- Dilute 70 drops of peppermint essential oil in a liter of food alcohol or vodka and spray on areas where mice are active; this mixture will ensure better longevity of the product;
- Put a few drops of essential oil on some cotton balls that you can place near potential access points to the home.
Accompany the above use of mint oil with other measures for an even more effective solution:
- Inspect your home for possible entry points for mice such as cracks and gaps - especially in garages, basements and attics or around doors and windows;
- Repair and fill every crack and gap to prevent access by mice (do not use construction foam as mice can gnaw through this);
- Position mouse traps around the home to catch any mice that have already "moved in" to your home;
- Carefully clean and sanitize any areas that have had mouse activity.
Thanks to these simple tips, mice will no longer want to live in your house!
