A
Grapes, raisins, rhubarb and walnuts are poisonous to mice and lettuce can cause them to have diarrhoea. Wild mice find food by foraging and so a portion of daily food that is provided for pet mice should be scattered in a cage to encourage this foraging behaviour.
Zinc phosphide is an acute toxicant that causes the death of a house mouse within several hours after a lethal dose is ingested. It appears to be the fastest way of getting rid of mice by reducing their population.
Rodenticides labeled with the signal word danger are highly toxic and include thallium, sodium monofluoroacetate (SMFA, fluoroacetate), strychnine, zinc phosphide, aluminum phosphide, elemental phosphorus, arsenic, and barium carbonate.
Mice have a very strong sense of smell and are often repelled by very strong odors like cinnamon, vinegar, dryer sheets, clove oil, peppermint, tea bags, and cayenne pepper. I decided to try diluting peppermint oil in a spray bottle and misting it around my feed room and tack room.
But Epsom salt isn't just good for humans! It can also be used to repel rodents due to its acrid smell. Sprinkling Epsom salt onto your trash can lid or around areas where rodents are known to burrow creates a protective boundary that can keep them away.
Dryer sheets do not repel mice. The belief that dryer sheets can repel mice has gained popularity over time, primarily due to the assumption that scent of dryer sheets might deter rodents. However, this is a misconception, and using dryer sheets as a mouse repellent is not a reliable or proven method.
Mouse poison, also known as rodenticide, is designed to eliminate mice by using toxic ingredients that disrupt their internal systems.
Essential oils that may be helpful in repelling rats and mice include peppermint oil, lemon oil, citronella oil, and eucalyptus oil. You can make an essential oil spray by mixing 2 teaspoons of oil with 1 cup of water or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Then spray it anywhere you see traces of rodents.
The best way to get rid of rats or mice is by using traps. If using spring loaded traps for rats, bait three of them in a row without setting them. Bait with dried fruit, peanut butter mixed with oats, or cheese.
Signs of an Infestation
A much more likely scenario is that you're already too late. Spotting one elusive mouse typically means there are at least five or six hiding out in your walls, basement, or attic. This is particularly true if you see a mouse at night or in a low-traffic area of your home.
Peppermint oil is also a frequent recommendation for deterring mice in the home. Like other essential oils, peppermint oil has shown varied repellent effects on wildlife. Results are commonly affected by formulation, concentration, and frequency.
Baking soda may kill mice by creating gas in their stomachs, but it is not very reliable. Mice would need to eat a lot of baking soda, which makes it an unlikely solution. Better options include traps, natural repellents, and sealing up any entry points to keep mice out.
Avoid feeding seed/grain mixes, sugary and high fat foods (e.g., sweets and dairy products), and potentially harmful foods/plants (in general, if plants or foods are considered harmful for cats and dogs, it is advisable to avoid these for mice; e.g., chocolate, grapes/raisins, avocado, garlic, onion, coffee, tea, ...
Mouse exterminators have the knowledge and expertise to locate and seal entry points and determine the best treatment methods to help eliminate existing infestations efficiently and humanely. Mouse control is important because mice can pose health risks, cause property damage, and cause distress for homeowners.
Despite popular belief, mothballs are not an effective solution for deterring mice. While these pesticide products contain strong smelling substances like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, their efficacy against rodents is minimal at best.
To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers. Make sure mice won't find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.
Mice generally avoid the smell of Pine Sol. The strong scent is unpleasant for them, and they tend to steer clear of areas treated with Pine Sol. While it is not guaranteed that all mice will avoid Pine Sol, it effectively deter most mice from the treated areas.
Many people report seeing mice bites in their soap, and continued infestation, suggesting the soap hardly phased the intruders. But fortunately for others, Irish Spring Soap seems to work wonders. Particularly when used as a nonharmful garden pest-repellent, which you can read about in our blog here.
Mouse traps are one of the most effective ways to get rid of mice that have taken up residence inside your home. Place mouse traps in the more vulnerable areas of your house, like along walls and behind trash cans.
Absolutely repels rodents, snakes and other crawley things.
Toothpaste may emit that peppermint scent that confuses mice and masks their pheromones. Plus, it's also poisonous to mice if eaten, which is why many homeowners mix it with sugar as a bait that kills mice.