A: No. Mice are relatively smart, and even if the smell of this pesticide near their nest or in a trap bothered them, they would simply find a way around them. Besides, mothballs used outdoors could contaminate plants, soil and water.
Mothballs repelling mice and rats is a common misconception. Mothballs contain a small amount of naphthalene and can be a deterrent in large quantities, however, they aren't powerful enough to get rid of mice and rodents.
As it turns out, there are several smells that these pests cannot stand, which means you can use them to your advantage. But what exactly do mice and rats hate to smell? Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, ammonia, bleach, and mothballs.
These dangerous pesticides are useful when you keep them in a closed container with the clothes you are trying to protect. However, leaving mothballs out in the open as a way to repel rodents is a very bad idea. Mothballs are ineffective as a rodent repellent. Plus, using them can expose your family to toxic chemicals.
Peppermint oil and cinnamon are natural scents that repel mice. They come in sprays and pouches that can keep mice away while making your home or RV smell good. Hot pepper sprays also work, but they have a more pungent scent you may not want wafting through your living space.
Do Dryer Sheets Keep Mice Out? Don't expect your box of Bounce to work any pest-control miracles. Dryer sheets don't deter mice. Baited traps won't solve a mouse problem, either.
Peppermint Oil
As a result, mice and others will avoid the smell. If you want something other than a pre-made peppermint-scented repellent, you can use scented cotton balls or create a water and peppermint oil spray.
Fill any holes with steel wool, wire mesh, or quick-drying cement. Essentially, any materials that may be more difficult for mice to chew through. Vacuum and sweep regularly to dispose of any crumbs. Wipe down counters daily to remove residue and crumbs that may keep mice well-fed.
Mice won't disappear by themselves
Unless you change your habits to deprive mice of their food, wipe out the existing population and proof your property to stop them coming back, you'll always be sharing your home with disease-spreading, food-stealing mice.
Nut butter's is a very effective bait because the strong nutty smell is enough to attract rodents. Other baits like chocolate, seeds and nuts, marshmallows and gumdrops, deli meat, pet food, fruit jam, and soft cheese are also effective in luring mice out of their rat nest.
Use essential oils
Essential oils with a strong smell, such as peppermint and clove oil, can repel mice. For best results, soak cotton balls in the essential oil of your choice and put them in areas you've noticed mouse activity – such as drawers, cupboards, and under sinks.
To do so properly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers along with the clothing or materials. The vapors will remain inside the container and kill the moths. The closed containers prevent the chemicals from getting into the air and spreading through the house.
Mothballs should not be used inside attics, crawl spaces, gardens, trash cans or vehicles. "Often, mothballs are used in these locations to control pests other than clothes moths," Stone said. They include squirrels, skunks, deer, mice, rats, dogs, cats, raccoons, moles, snakes, pigeons and a variety of other animals.
The truth is usually more down to earth. Mice have a very keen sense of smell. If they start to avoid traps, it could be because they sense a human smell around the trap. That is why it is always best to wear gloves when handling mouse traps.
WD-40 also helps keeps these pesky rodents at bay. I usually spray a little inside the bonnet in a few areas and have not had problems till date.
Epsom salt
Sprinkle Epsom salts onto your trash can lid or around the areas that pests like to burrow into or dig around. Epsom salts will deter most any pests, including raccoons, mice, and squirrels among others.”
Mothballs - Contain naphthalene and may deter mice when used in strong enough doses. Ammonia - Mimics the odor of predators' urine and can act as a repellent. Peppermint Oil, Cayenne Pepper, or Cloves - Have strong scents that may repel mice.
Instead of catching mice, like mouse traps do, ultrasonic devices emit sound waves at a frequency that mice find absolutely unbearable. Ultrasonic devices with a sound frequency of 10,000 Hz are most effective at keeping mice away. It's best to buy several of these devices and replace them every 3 weeks.
2. Their Scent Can Scare Mice Away. Mice will also turn their tails when they get a whiff of a cat's scent. According to a study by The Scripps Research Institute, predators – like cats – secrete a chemical compound that makes rodents fearful of them.
Use rodent exclusion materials like heavy-gauge wire screening to cover holes, metal mesh to stuff into holes around pipes, and expanding foam sealant to spray overtop of metal mesh and fill other gaps and cracks. Seal all potential entry holes or gaps in walls, foundations, sheds, crawl spaces and under porches.