However, be we urban or rural dwellers, we are not the only creatures that enjoy the ripe fruit hanging on our trees. Rattus rattus, the naked-tailed roof rat, a nonnative but ubiquitous local resident, has a fondness for many of our backyard fruits with a special affinity for oranges.
Mice do not like the smell of citrus oils and will avoid areas where they smell them. Citrus oils are frequently used as a natural repellent for mice, but there are other ways to keep mice away from your home. Mice hate citrus oil smells because they contain limonene, which is found in lemons, oranges and grapefruits.
Fruits: Mice enjoy and can eat a variety of different fruits. Some mice will develop preferences to certain items, but you can offer your mouse apples, pears, bananas, melons, peaches, plums, oranges, and berries just to name a few. Vegetables: There are also many fresh vegetable options that can be fed to mice.
Rats and mice feed on a variety of fruits including oranges, avocados, peaches, lemon, and figs. They are fond of walnuts, almonds, and peanut butter. All fallen fruit and nuts should be regularly removed and discarded in the trash. Rodents also feed on bird seed, snails, garden vegetables and dog droppings.
Therefore, raspberry and blackberry bushes — as well as apple and pear trees — can serve as magnets for the animals. When unconsumed fruits and berries are left to rot on their bushes or trees or left in uncovered trash cans, these rodents are drawn by the smell and sweetness.
Rat populations explode during our citrus harvest season because food is so plentiful. Many of you have probably noticed large holes in oranges and grapefruit where rats have hollowed out the fruit to feed on the seeds. These seeds contain Niacin, and rats love to eat them in mass.
Roof rats often feed on orange, avocado, and other fruits, sometimes leaving hollow fruit skins hanging on the tree. After harvest, they damage fruit and nuts in bins by chewing them and leaving excrement. Rats are active throughout the year, and mostly at night.
The pungent smell of orange peels can help deter some pests and rodents away from the plants,' Kevin explains. However, Kevin urges you to ask fast and ensure you cut when the pieces are still fresh. 'You need to replace them once they have dried out,' the expert adds.
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.
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.
When you see an orange that is hollowed out, the culprit is usually a rat. When you see multiple oranges within two feet of the sidewalk, this is cause for concern. Rats are cautious by nature and prefer hidden areas with lots of cover. Finding evidence so close to public areas is never a good sign.
After cereal, mice go for high-fat, high-protein, high-sugar foods: Think lard, butter, bacon, grease, chocolate, dried fruit, and the like. The fix: When possible, store these foods in the fridge or freezer; otherwise, use airtight containers (we're looking at you, chocolate).
Orioles really like oranges. So do mockingbirds, tanagers and catbirds. Other birds that like fruit include: Bluebirds.
House mice are omnivorous but prefer to consume grains, fruits and seeds. Consequently, they may cause severe damage to crops and domestic gardens. Although it is commonly believed that mice are attracted to cheese, they tend to prefer foods that are higher in carbohydrates.
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.
Mice can enter your home through open windows and doors in the summer, but you might be able to ward them off with fruit. That's right: a new study from McGill University has found that male mice are scared of bananas. The paper focuses on the chemical signals pregnant or nursing mice send off to defend their young.
Metal: Thick metal will be difficult for mice to chew through which means it is great for sealing any holes and gaps that mice can enter in. If using this material, check on it regularly to prevent it from rusting. Glass: Glass is a great material to use for mouse-proofing your house.
Keep furry critters out of your garden.
Place orange peels around the perimeter of the garden and the scent should keep dogs and cats from wandering in.
A substance found in oranges can be dangerous to male rats in high amounts, so it's generally recommended to play it safe and avoid feeding this fruit to male rats.
In a pure and concentrated form, citrus oils work well at naturally repelling rats, and they don't smell bad like some other natural rat repellents.
Mice will avoid these during the day but get bolder during the late night. If storing fruit in the fridge is not an option, air-tight containers or Tupperware will keep mice from smelling and accessing stored fruit.
Placing rat traps or bait boxes near the fruit trees can help catch some rats, allowing you to dispose of them off your property. Rat traps or bait boxes can be used with bacon, Slim-Jims, dried fruits, or even peanut butter. Positioning traps under the tree and tied to the branches will provide the best results.
According to chef and garden expert Laura Ritterman, pests are repelled by the smell of citrus that lives on your leftover peel, and thus deters them. 'Orange peels are great for your garden, as they can help to add nutrients to your soil – aiding in the growth and maintenance of your plants,' Laura explains.