[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Mice and rats might be pets for some people, but if you haven’t named them, they’re not pets –– they’re pests. Using
natural rodent repellent is an effective way to keep unwelcome rodents out of the house, and going
eco-friendly means there’s no harm to the environment.
Rats, moles, voles, mice and other rodents are drawn to areas that provide the basic necessities of life –– food, water, warmth and nesting materials –– all things they can find in your home. To keep them out, follow these effective, yet safe, tips.
Natural rodent repellent strategies
Watch for Signs of Infestation
Mice are resourceful little creatures, and you may not see an infestation until the mess is so big, it’s hard to miss. Signs of mice or rats visiting your home include:
- Stale, sour odors coming from hidden areas
- Nesting materials like fabric, dried plant leaves and shredded paper
- Chewed up or ripped food packages
- Rodent droppings in drawers, cupboards, under sinks and in or around food packages
- Chewed-through holes in walls, window screens, wires and doors.
Be proactive
Eliminate conditions that attract rodents. Trashy yards and ragged lawns invite rats, mice, moles, voles and other varmints to partake in the hospitality your home has to offer.
Unsealed garbage cans offer a feast of opportunities for skunks and raccoons. Leaves and thick mulch piles become nesting locations, and water, pet food and bird seed in the yard give rodents everything they need to feed themselves and their entire families.
Natural rodent repellent sprays
For use both indoors and outdoors,
Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent is made with natural peppermint oil — something rodents don’t like. A few squirts on the baseboards, in the kitchen, around the garage and in storage areas every few days will help to prevent rodents from settling there.
Plant-based repellents are another option, especially useful in backyards and gardens.
Green Home Wash “Bye-Bye Rats” repels mice, moles, squirrels, voles, rats and other rodents that may be lurking near your patio or in your landscaping. Since it’s plant-based and free of chemicals, dyes, alcohol and any synthetic pesticides, it’s safe to use around gardens, flower beds, kids’ play areas and outdoor furniture. You can even use this under your car’s hood to keep the little animals out of your car’s wiring.
If a spray isn’t an option, mothballs are another choice. They contain
naphthalene and ammonia, which have strong scents and are known to repel mice. Cloves, chili powder, camphor, garlic and cayenne pepper are also deterrents.
In addition to
peppermint essential oil, scents that repel mice are:
Bonus: Mint also repels insects! Spray
Mighty Mint Insect Pest Control in your house and outdoor living space to prevent bug bites, ant infestations, and pesky house flies.
Clean, clean, clean!
Surface cleaning of floors, countertops and sinks is a daily or weekly chore, but crumbs and food scraps get caught in crevices that aren’t easy to see. And where there are crumbs, there likely are ants, roaches and mice.
Wipe out your pantry and cabinets using
Orange Guard Home Pest Control and ensure packages are tightly sealed. If possible, don’t keep pet food on the floor, but at least be sure any spilled kibble is cleaned up daily.
Carefully store papers and Books
Old papers and books often carry that musty, dusty smell that attracts mice, termites, silverfish, carpet beetles, roaches and other small insects that like to eat binding glue, pages, and covers. Either get rid of the excess reading material or store it away in air-tight containers.
Tip: to kill the bugs in books or stacks of paper, put them in plastic bags and place them in the freezer for a few days. The bugs won’t survive those freezing temperatures. Then, you can shake them out and find somewhere to store them so they remain bug-free.
Apply sealants
Rats, mice and insects will inevitably try to get into your house, especially when the temperature drops. Make it harder for them to find a way in by closing up any cracks in the building foundation, entry doors and window frames. Seal openings with
caulking, use weather stripping under doors and repair window screens and screen doors.
Bonus: Sealing the house will also help it be more energy-efficient. The warm air stays in and the cold air stays out!
Monitor for pests
Tracking mice and other pests is something to add to your “things to do” list — at least two or three times a month. Look for mouse droppings, bugs and mold in the kitchen, pantry, crawl space, attic and basement. Use natural or homemade
clean and green sprays as needed. Consider hiring an exterminator for heavy infestations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_text_separator title="Featured Products" border_width="2"][vc_row_inner equal_height="yes" content_placement="middle" gap="35"][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175634" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717246517606{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/now-essential-oils-peppermint"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175635" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717246534446{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/mighty-mint-rodent-repellent"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/3"][vc_single_image image="175633" img_size="full" alignment="center" onclick="custom_link" img_link_target="_blank" css=".vc_custom_1717246550703{padding-right: 7% !important;padding-left: 7% !important;}" link="https://www.vitacost.com/green-home-wash-bye-bye-rats-natural-rat-rodent-repellent"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
