In winter, you’re not the only one who wants to spend more time inside. The mice that nest happily outside during the warmer months are also looking for a cozy spot to get out of the cold. But in doing so, they make a mess of your kitchen cupboards or chew up the interior of your car, leaving behind waste that can carry disease. You need to get rid of them, but you don’t want to rely on messy, cruel traps or dangerous poisons, especially if you have pets or children in your household.
You do have an alternative. You can make your own mouse repellent out of dried herbs, cedar shavings, and essential oils–an inexpensive way to rid your house of mice while freshening the air at the same time.
Mice have very sensitive noses and will not nest or stay long in areas with smells they particularly dislike – cedar, mint, lavender and rosemary being a few. This herbal sachet, placed near where you think the mice are congregating, will soon have the creatures running for the door!
Supplies:
Dried herbs: mint, rosemary, thyme, lavender
Cedar shavings (available at pet stores)
Essential oils: peppermint, cedarwood, rosemary, lavender (basil and citrus oils optional)
7 3-by-5-inch muslin drawstring sachet bags (available at craft stores or make your own)
Bowl
Wooden spoon
Funnel
Directions:
1. Mix the dried herbs and cedar shavings. Crumble the dried herbs into the bowl then add cedar shavings to make four cups.
2. Add essential oils: 20 drops each of peppermint, cedarwood, rosemary, lavender and any other oil you would like. Mix well.
3. Use the funnel to pack the bags with the mixture and tie tightly. Massage the bag to get the oils, herbs and cedar chips to release their fragrance. Place wherever you think mice might be nesting–or might want to nest soon.
Where to Place Rodent Repellent Sachets
Use one sachet per closet or pantry. Place the herbal sachets in the direct path of where you think the mice are traveling. Another good spot for repellent pouches is close to where rodents might enter the room or storage space. Crushing or flipping the sachets periodically will release the scent.
These sachets will deter mice without introducing traps or poisons into your home. They’re cheaper than an exterminator and they have the added benefit of filling your house with uplifting scents of mint, rosemary, thyme, lavender and cedar.
Do you want to have plenty of dried herbs for sachets at the end of next summer? Check out this article on harvesting and drying herbs from your garden.
Hello,
I am looking for a rat repellent which does not harm or kill the rats.
1. If the rats come in contact with lavender oil or other essential oils, will it harm or kill them?
2. Will the “smell” only of lavender oil or other essential oils (not coming in contact with the oil) harm or kill the rats or will it only repel the rats?
Thank you very much.
Hi Kunal,
To the best of our understanding rats may find the scent of lavender oil unpleasant, and so it might help repel them from an area. You may want to consult with a pest control expert as to whether lavender (or other essential oils) can harm a rat. As an alternative, you could consider live trapping rats and releasing them into an unpopulated area. Also, be sure to try to eliminate or close off spaces around your home where a rat might enjoy hiding and remove any trash or compost that might be providing rats with a food source.