Four natural household items that will ensure rats and mice ‘stay away’

These are the scents that will ensure rats and mice “stay away”

Rats and mice, due to their limited vision, rely heavily on their sense of smell for survival. Pest control experts at Eliminated LTD suggest that households can use strong scents to “overpower” these pests’ olfactory senses.

You may notice an increase in visits from these unwanted guests during the colder months as they seek shelter and food. There are various deterrents available, but if you’re looking for a natural method that doesn’t physically harm them, targeting their sense of smell is a good strategy.

Here are some scents that will ensure rats and mice “stay away”.

Lavender.

Mice and rats “hate the smell of lavender”, so using a lavender-scented spray or even better, growing a lavender plant, will naturally deter them from your home, reports the Express.

Alternatively, you could create your own solution by mixing a quarter to half a cup of flowers with one-quarter cup of water in a spray bottle to keep mice at bay.

Make sure to shake well before each use, then spray surfaces in affected areas until they are damp but not overly wet with the solution. Refresh this solution monthly to maintain its freshness and effectiveness at keeping mice away.

Citrus oil.

Rats and mice detest the smell of citrus oils because they contain limonene, a compound found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.

Limonene can also be found in countless cleaning products including soaps, detergents, and disinfectants, providing these household items with their crisp and fresh fragrance.

Citrus oils such as lemon and orange are also “very effective at keeping rats and mice away” from a particular area or object.

Nevertheless, owing to the strength of citrus oils, they ought to be used sparingly or watered down before being applied to an area or object that needs treatment.

Peppermint oil.

Peppermint oil proves “effective” at repelling rats and mice as they find the menthol aroma disagreeable.

When mice come across this essential oil’s fragrance, they “associate it with danger and fear”. As a result, they’ll “avoid areas” where it’s present or try to “stay away from it” as much as they can.

This ranks among the most commonly used components in DIY mouse deterrents. The powerful aroma is sufficient to keep mice at bay from a particular area or object.

Just place a few drops on cotton wool balls and position them in spots where mice are prone to hide.

Chilli powder.

Chilli powder represents another brilliant option for making homemade rat deterrents because it’s “inexpensive and easy to obtain at most grocery stores”.

You’ll require roughly two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water before adding it to your spray bottle or hand sanitiser container. The experts explained: “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.”

Just scatter some chilli powder in spots where you think mice might be lurking, such as behind cupboards or beneath furniture.

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