This is probably the best mouse deterrent for a home – those big eyes and intense focus on detail are matchless when it comes to the creepy little buggers. I have two of these – however with a basement, a garage, an attic, and a barn that they have limited access to, the mouse population around my neck of the woods seems to be virtually invincible.
They’ve gotten into my lawnmower and torn apart wires, gnawed into vitamin buckets (horses), made nests in car engines, and most recently were gutsy enough to stow away in a closet in the house and nibble on some sweaters. I can’t put poison around – it’s against my nature and downright dangerous for other animals – and traps are not my thing either.
So I was pretty thrilled when I came across this remedy for keeping the mice out of lawnmowers, closets and other nooks and crannies they love getting into. Seems they despise the scent of peppermint – it irritates their advanced sense of smell and they keep away from any minty areas the encounter.
Peppermint Oil – (not extract) can be purchased at health food and drug stores for about $13 for a small bottle. Take cotton balls (or my preference – squares) and place in some natural fibered bags. I found some tea sachet bags for about $1 each at the health food store that worked nicely. Place 3 or 4 cotton balls or squares inside and soak with Peppermint Oil – then pull the string loosely closed and hang or tuck the bags where needed.
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Nice kitty. We have the same problem here, where little mice and tad larger voles that don’t want to spend the winters in a cold field. And who can blame them? Like you, I won’t kill them, simply want them to find other shelter. Am now amused with visions of vampire mice recoiling from peppermint oil scent as I enjoy the lovely scent. Thanks for the idea!
Wow, thanks for the great info.
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What a good idea! We don’t get them in the house; but once in a while we get one in the garage where we keep the bird seed.
Anyone know how long the peppermint lasts? Need to put in boat and RV over the winter.
Hey Dawn – you might be better off using moth balls or even snake repellent (which is basically a very strong granulated moth ball scented substance) in those areas for that long of stretch. The peppermint is more of an indoor alternative and it lasts for about 2 months.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to try this. Alas, our cats sometimes bring mice IN to the house (via the cat door) to “play”. Seriously, they never KILL the mice; just have extended games of “cat and mouse”
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