Are mice attracted to mint? (2023)

How effective is mint at keeping mice away?

Peppermint obviously has a strong scent, one that mice dislike. According to Victor Pest, peppermint contains very potent menthol compounds that irritate their nasal cavities. A whiff of peppermint certainly does keep them away.

A quick search online explained that mice find the smell of peppermint overwhelming and confusing, so they stay away from the scent.

Peppermint oil is an effective method for keeping mice and rats away. These rodents cannot stand this oil's robust and minty smell, so a few drops around your home can go a long way in keeping them away.

Mint is widely recommended as a rat repellent on many sites on the internet. Apparently rats do not like the pungent smell and it is enough to keep them away from your home, garden, or anywhere else you have a rat problem. There are various ways in which it can be used.

Essential oils with a strong smell, such as peppermint and clove oil, can repel mice. For best results, soak cotton balls in the essential oil of your choice and put them in areas you've noticed mouse activity – such as drawers, cupboards, and under sinks.

If you're using mint as a preventative measure, use the repellant in places where mice are commonly found. Good places to target are kitchen cabinets, under the sink, counters, and behind the fridge. Consider putting some in closets and under furniture. Additionally, pay attention to the exterior of your house.

Peppermint contains a potent compound known as menthol, which irritates rodents' nasal cavities and disorients them, causing them to stray away from areas that contain the scent.

Simple. Peppermint is strong-smelling. For a species that relies on a strong sense of smell over its weak vision, mice find the potent aroma of its menthol to be offensive and irritating to their nasal cavities.

Peppermint oil has been used for decades as a potent rodent repellent.

Create a peppermint based spray

Place the liquid in a spray bottle and shake it well before spraying in problematic areas. Katarina adds that you should reapply the spray every two weeks to ensure the rodent stays away for good.

How do mice feel about peppermint?

If you've been searching for a DIY way to get rid of mice, then you've probably come across using peppermint oil. Because peppermint oil has a potent aroma, mice are believed to find the scent irritating and off-putting due to their keen sense of smell.

Peppermint Oil, Cayenne Pepper, or Cloves - Have strong scents that may repel mice.

You can use certain scents (ammonia, eucalyptus, chili oil or powder, lavender, mint) to keep mice at bay but this definitely won't work if mice are already inside your property.

Mint. Mint isn't just great for cooking. Its oils are proven to repel fleas, ticks, ants, mice and moths. Mint is an invasive plant, so you'll want to put it separately from your garden (unless, of course, you want an all-mint garden).

The smell of ammonia is very pungent that it instantly kills rats.

The good news is that with proper pest control and prevention, you can indeed ensure all mice are completely out of your home. If you suspect a mouse infestation or have questions about how you can be sure to completely get rid of mice in your home, seek help from a licensed pest control professional immediately.

Use rodent exclusion materials like heavy-gauge wire screening to cover holes, metal mesh to stuff into holes around pipes, and expanding foam sealant to spray overtop of metal mesh and fill other gaps and cracks. Seal all potential entry holes or gaps in walls, foundations, sheds, crawl spaces and under porches.

Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves.

Another option is to make cheesecloth sachets from dry cayenne, mint, and whole cloves and leave them in places where mice tend to hide, such as under beds and corners.

Mice generally follow the scent of other mouse pheromones, which is why when the scent of peppermint is mixed in they get confused. To get rid of your unwelcome rodents, all you need to do is to boil a pot of peppermint tea. Once the tea is boiled, spread the used teabags throughout the house.

Mice have very sensitive noses and will not nest or stay long in areas with smells they particularly dislike - cedar, mint, lavender and rosemary being a few.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a mouse in the wall?

Bait traps with peanut butter and set them along walls where you suspect mouse activity. If mice seem to keep evading traps left out in the open, you may have to drill a small hole in the drywall a few inches off the floor and place a trap right by the hole.

Look closely at your foundation for cracks or gaps where a mouse could squeeze through. Wherever possible, climb underneath porches and look behind stairs, bushes, or other objects. There may be holes that have been made larger over the years by water damage and chewing pests.

Eliminating Mice

Use white vinegar as bait by mixing it with some peanut butter and placing it in a trap. Mice dislike the smell of white vinegar and will stay away from areas sprayed with it or have soaked cotton balls in it. When you use white vinegar as bait in a trap, the mouse will eat it and die.

Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves.

Mice are said to hate the smell of these. Lightly soak some cotton balls in oils from one or more of these foods and leave the cotton balls in places where you've had problems with mice.