Rats and mice are highly sensitive to smell due to their poor vision, meaning their other senses need to be heightened for survival. To deter these pests, households should utilise potent scents that will “overpower” their olfactory sense, according to pest control experts at Eliminated LTD.
You might find that you have visits from the pests more often during the autumn and winter as rats and mice as they look for shelter and food. There are a number of deterrents you can use, but if you’re looking for some nautral that doesn’t harm them physically, targetting their sense of smell is the way to go. These are the scents that will ensure rats and mice “stay away”.
Lavender
Mice and rats “hate the smell of lavender”, so employing a lavender-scented spray or even better, cultivating a lavender plant, will naturally repel them from your home.
Alternatively, you could concoct your own solution using a quarter to half a cup of flowers per one-quarter cup of water in a spray bottle to keep mice at bay.
Ensure to shake well before each use, then spray surfaces in affected areas until wet but not excessively so with the solution. Refresh this solution monthly to maintain its freshness and effectiveness at keeping mice away.
Citrus oil
Rats and mice despise the smell of citrus oils because they contain limonene, a compound found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.
Limonene is also present in numerous cleaning products such as soaps, detergents, and disinfectants, giving these products their fresh and clean scent when used around the house.
Citrus oils like lemon and orange are also “very effective at keeping rats and mice away” from a particular area or object.
However, due to the potency of citrus oils, they should be used sparingly or diluted with water before being applied to an area or object that requires treatment.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is “effective” in deterring rats and mice as they find the menthol scent unpleasant.
When mice encounter this essential oil’s aroma, they “associate it with danger and fear”. Consequently, they’ll “avoid areas” where it’s present or attempt to “stay away from it” as much as possible.
This is one of the most frequently used ingredients in homemade mouse repellents. The strong smell is enough to keep mice away from a specific area or object.
Simply put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in areas where mice are likely to hide.
Chilli powder
Chilli powder is another excellent choice for creating homemade rat repellents because it’s “inexpensive and easy to obtain at most grocery stores”.
You’ll need approximately two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water before adding it to your spray bottle or hand sanitiser container.
The experts stated: “This is an effective home remedy for getting rid of mice because it smells terrible to them and they won’t stay around long enough for their sense of smell to become accustomed to it.”
Simply sprinkle some chilli powder in areas where you suspect there may be mice, such as behind cupboards or under furniture.