21 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Mice

Mice can be more than just a nuisance; they can pose health risks and cause damage to your property.

Fortunately, there are many natural methods to help keep your home and garden mouse-free. Here’s a comprehensive guide to naturally getting rid of mice.

Identification

Mice are small rodents with slightly pointy noses, rounded ears, and slightly hairy tails. Their fur color ranges from gray to brown to black and even white.

Mice can create several problems when they invade your garden and home. In gardens, field mice can eat seeds and young seedlings. They will also go after fruits and vegetables stored inside sheds.

Inside the house, mice can chew on wires and plastic furniture and even contaminate food with their droppings. House mice can also spread diseases [1].

How to Get Rid of Mice Naturally

Getting rid of mice is essential to maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Below are some of the most effective natural methods to help control these rodents.

1. Maintain Cleanliness

Overall, keeping your home clean is essential and can be a permanent way to keep away rodents.

Leaving dirty dishes in the sink or food crumbs on the floor can attract mice. Therefore, wash your dishes promptly and clean up any spilled food immediately.

Mice are also attracted to clutter. Decluttering your home, especially storage areas, can make it less inviting for mice to nest.

Vacuuming regularly also helps to eliminate food crumbs and debris that might attract pests.

2. Ultrasonic Repellents

While not entirely natural, ultrasonic repellents are chemical-free devices that emit high-frequency sounds. These sounds are inaudible to humans but unpleasant to rodents, encouraging them to leave the area.

You can get these to buy on marketplaces like Amazon.

3. Pepper Spray

You can also use pepper spray to create a natural barrier. The strong smell and irritation caused by pepper will keep mice at bay.

You can make your own spray by mixing hot pepper flakes with water and spraying it around entry points.

4. Repellent Plants

Certain plants, such as mint, lavender, daffodils, and sage, can act as natural deterrents for rats and mice.

Planting these mice-repellent plants around your home or garden can prevent these pests from coming around.

5. Snake Poo

Mice are naturally afraid of snakes, so gather up some dried snake poo and place it near places where mice are likely to show up. They will think that snakes are in the area.

You may likely get dried snake feces at a zoo or pet store.

6. Seal off Entry Points

One of the best ways to prevent mice from entering your home is to seal off their entry points.

These small rodents can squeeze through very small gaps, so inspect your home for any cracks or holes and seal them up.

7. Vinegar

Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, has a strong smell that can repel mice.

Therefore, mix vinegar with water and spray it in areas where you suspect mice are entering your home. You can also soak cotton balls in vinegar and place them in the corners of your house.

8. Clear Out Garbage

Mice are attracted to food and waste. So, regularly clear out garbage and ensure that your bins are tightly sealed.

This will reduce the chances of attracting mice to your home or garden.

9. Owl Feathers

If you have access to owl feathers, placing them around your home can act as a deterrent.

Mice are naturally afraid of owls, one of their predators. So, the presence of owl feathers may scare them away.

10. Secure Food Properly

Store food in airtight containers, especially grains and cereals. Mice can easily chew through cardboard and plastic bags, so using glass or metal containers is best.

11. Keep Grass Cut Short

Mice like to hide in tall grass and overgrown areas. By keeping your grass cut short, you make your garden less inviting to these rodents.

12. Keep Garden Clean

A clean garden is less attractive to mice. Regularly remove fallen fruits, vegetables, and other debris from your garden to keep it tidy.

Also, clear away clutter from your yard to reduce the places where mice can nest and hide.

13. Whole Cloves

Cloves have a strong smell that mice dislike. Place them in areas where you suspect mice are entering, such as cabinets or pantries.

14. Clove and Cinnamon

Cloves and cinnamon have strong scents that mice do not like.

Therefore, you can scatter whole cloves and cinnamon powder in cabinets, drawers, and other target areas. Replace them every few weeks to keep the scent fresh and effective.

15. Steel Wool

Steel wool is an excellent material for blocking small holes where mice might enter. Mice can’t chew through steel wool, making it an effective barrier.

16. Kitty Litter

Used kitty litter can be an effective deterrent as well.

If you don’t want a cat around, you can just get some cat litter instead. The scent of a cat’s urine will scare away these pests, as they will think a cat is around.

So, place small containers of used kitty litter near entry points or areas where you’ve noticed mouse activity.

17. Essential Oils

Mice are known to dislike strong smells. Essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella can be used as a natural repellent.

Therefore, soak cotton balls in one of these oils and place them near entry points, cabinets, or other areas where mice might enter.

You can also make a homemade mice repellent spray using a teaspoon of essential oil of your choice in a cup of water. Use the solution to spray entry points to your house.

18. Get a Cat

One of the oldest and most effective natural ways to deter mice is to have a cat. So, if you’re comfortable with pets, consider adopting a cat.

Cats are natural predators of mice and can significantly reduce their population in and around your home. Even the mere scent of a cat can be enough to keep mice away.

19. Onions and Garlic

The strong smell of onions and garlic can also deter mice. Place slices of onion or garlic cloves in areas where mice are likely to enter or nest.

However, be cautious when using these in areas accessible to cats and dogs, as they can be toxic to animals [2].

20. BONIDE® Mouse Magic

BONIDE® Mouse Magic is a natural mouse repellent made from essential oils.

It’s easy to use and can be placed in areas like sheds, patios, your apartment, and barns where you’ve seen mouse activity. The strong scent deters mice from entering.

21. Humane Traps

Using humane traps is a natural way to catch and release mice without harming them.

One such trap is the Smart Mouse Trap. This trap lets you capture mice and release them far away from your home.

The Repeater Multiple Catch Mouse Trap is also a humane way to catch and release multiple mice without harming them. This trap can be placed where mice are active and allows for easy disposal or release of the captured mice.

Takeaway

Getting rid of mice naturally involves a combination of methods that repel, trap, and prevent these pests from invading your home and garden. By following the tips outlined above, you can maintain a mouse-free environment without the need for poisons that kill these animals.