Beyond brewing a fresh cup of tea, peppermint is a total powerhouse in the garden and the home. Most of us love using peppermint oil as a refreshing room spray or a zesty addition to recipes, but did you know it’s also a secret weapon against mice?
Why do mice hate peppermint so much?
While we usually find that cool, minty scent super refreshing, mice feel very differently about it. To a tiny rodent, peppermint is actually pretty overwhelming. Here’s why:
- The scent is way too intense for their sensitive little noses.
- Those strong essential oils mask the smell of food, making it hard for them to sniff out a snack.
- The oil can actually irritate their eyes and nasal membranes.
If you’ve got some uninvited furry guests making themselves at home, you can use these natural defenses to show them the door.
Using peppermint oil as a natural deterrent
Mice might look cute in cartoons, but they definitely don’t belong in your pantry or crawl space. Before you reach for the snap traps or call an expensive exterminator, I always recommend trying a natural approach first. Peppermint oil is a classic “grandma’s remedy” that actually works. You can grab a bottle at most health food stores, or better yet, make your own right at home.
How to make your own peppermint oil
If you’re growing mint in your garden or on your windowsill, you can whip up a batch of oil with just a few steps:
- Clean and finely chop your mint leaves.
- Place them in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Fill the jar with about 2 cups (1/2 liter) of olive oil.
- Let it sit in a sunny spot for at least a week.
- Strain the mixture and store your DIY oil in a dark glass bottle.
How to apply it
When you spot signs of mice, it’s worth trying the peppermint method before moving on to expensive pros or cruel traps and poisons. It’s budget-friendly, easy, and—most importantly—totally safe for your family and pets.
If mice are causing trouble out in the garden, simply planting peppermint near their burrows can do the trick. Alternatively, you can drip some oil around the entrance of their holes. For a more direct approach, soak a rag in the oil and push it as far into the hole as you can.
Inside the house, cotton balls are your best friend. Soak them in peppermint oil and place them right in front of any mouse holes. Since mice are usually drawn to the kitchen or pantry by the smell of food, try tucking oil-soaked cotton balls into corners or hanging small mint-scented sachets. You only need a few drops to get the job done! If you’ve figured out exactly where they’re squeezing into the house from outside, place a small bowl with about 2 teaspoons of oil right at the entry point to keep them out for good.