During the winter months, rats and mice often invade homes seeking warmth and sustenance, but there are several natural methods to deter these unwelcome guests. Many homeowners are hesitant to use poison, traps, or other hazardous solutions due to the risks they pose, especially in households with children and pets.
Sally, a pest control expert from Diamond Pest Control, recommends using potent-smelling deterrents to repel rodents, as their vulnerability lies in their keen sense of smell. She said: “These rodents may have poor eyesight, but they more than makeup for it with their other senses.
“Their acute sense of smell is mostly used to find food, and also to detect predators. They can smell food from long distances, which is why they can so easily find your kitchen.
“What this also means, though, is that we can use this superpower against them.”
What scents do mice and rats detest?
Spices
Spices such as hot peppers and chillies are highly effective at driving away rats and mice because the strong, spicy odours are a significant irritant to them. Sally said: “House mice also hate anything hot.
“This includes Chilli peppers and cayenne pepper. Chilli peppers can be placed around your cupboards and home, and cayenne pepper sprinkled in these areas.”
A straightforward method to employ spices as a repellent is to mix one tablespoon of cayenne pepper with water in an empty spray bottle, adding a few drops of washing-up liquid to ensure the spicy mixture adheres to surfaces, reports the Express.
Then simply spray the mixture on windowsills, doorway gaps and other areas you suspect rodents may be getting into your home.
Essential oils
Essential oils are one of the best natural remedies to keep mice and rats away due to their strong smell which overwhelms rodent senses and makes it uncomfortable for them to stay in a place with that scent.
Sally said: “Some of best herbs or aromas for house mice are said to be peppermint, eucalyptus and cedar wood. You may want to purchase an essential oil diffuser.
“These are relatively cheap, and can be placed in your kitchen, other affected areas where mice congregate or near the cracks and holes where mice exit. You can also place fresh peppermint herbs wherever food is stored.”
If you do not have a diffuser, simply place essential oil-soaked cotton balls in places where you suspect rodents may be entering your home. The cotton balls will need to be changed regularly to keep the scent in place, but this is a simple way to deter rodents.
However, it is important to know that many essential oils are toxic to cats and dogs so make sure to do your own research on them if you have pets.
Plants
Lavender is one of the most popular natural solutions to keep rodents away as its powerful fragrance scent may be pleasant to humans but will disorientate them.
Not only do strong smells irritate mice and rats but it makes it more difficult for them to sniff out food and predators which also makes it less likely for them to stay in the area.
Rodents are known to dislike plants such as rosemary, sage, and marigolds, so having these in your home could help deter them. If you have pets, using plants might be a safer way to keep rats and mice at bay.
However, certain flowers, like essential oils, can be harmful to animals, so it’s important to do your own research if you’re a pet owner.