Peppermint Oil To Get Rid Of Mice: Does It Work?

peppermint oil to get rid of mice

Many people prefer to use humane methods to deter mice, and one popular remedy is peppermint oil. This won’t help you catch any mice or get rid of any nests, but it can act as a good preventative measure.

What is peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is made from the peppermint plant, and it has many uses around the home.

  • It is used in many beauty products such as shampoo and toothpaste.
  • It can be used in cooking to give something a fresh, minty flavor.
  • It makes a good rodent deterrent.

When choosing your peppermint oil, make sure you don’t confuse it with peppermint extract. While this does have its uses, the oil is stronger and therefore better to help you control mice and other rodents.

How does it work?

Before you use peppermint oil, you must be aware that if you have an infestation or nesting mice, you will need to use other methods to get rid of them before you use your oil. This is one reason why many people say that it doesn’t work with mice. It can be used to stop mice from getting to other areas of your home, but if you already have mice, you will need to get rid of them using another method. Peppermint oil is a deterrent and will keep mice at bay for the future.

It works thanks to the sensitive sense of smell which mice have. The strong peppermint smell can be very irritating to the nasal cavities of a mouse, particularly as it contains menthol as well. For this reason, mice will avoid it where possible. It also masks other smells, so mice cannot pick up the scent of their own trails or of any nearby food.

It also discourages other pests and bugs, such as ants, spiders and mosquitoes.

The advantages of peppermint oil

  • It is non-toxic and can be used around animals and children
  • It is safer to handle than traps or poisons
  • It can be used safely over the longer term
  • It can be cheaper than using poisons
  • It creates a nice smell
  • It can help deter other things such as flies, ants and other rodents
  • No dead mice to dispose of

Which peppermint oil to buy

Always make sure you get the best quality. We’ve chosen three which we think offer the best chance of deterring your mice.

Peppermint Oil – Essential Oil Labs

  • Pure peppermint oil
  • Multiple uses
  • Sourced from sustainable farms
  • Free from chemicals, toxins and additives
  • Vegan and vegetarian friendly

The best peppermint oil is 100% oil, and that’s exactly what this Highest Quality Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Oil is. It uses peppermint from sustainable farms in India and contains no additives or chemicals, so it is safe to use and you get the best results.

The oil has a dropper for ease of use and the oil has many uses, as well as deterring pests and rodents.

Peppermint oil is known for its aromatherapy qualities, and this oil can be used to help relieve headaches, digestive problems, and the smell helps invigorate the mind and body. You can even add some to your shampoo to give you hair that extra shine.

Around the home it is an excellent cleaning aid, as it kills germs and also provides a soothing aroma as you clean.

This oil comes with a no questions asked guarantee if you’re not happy with the product, but as a pure oil and with so many uses, you’re sure to be delighted. It also includes two guides to help show you just how useful it can be and gives you lots of ideas and suggestions of how to make full use of it.

Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential Oil

  • Pure peppermint oil
  • Multiple uses
  • Free from chemicals, toxins and additives
  • Non-toxic

Majestic Pure Peppermint Essential oil is 100% natural and contains no additives. It is non-toxic, unfiltered and suitable for therapeutic use.

Extracted from the leaves of Mentha Piperita, it contains both menthol and Menthone which give it the sharp, fresh smell you need to deter mice. Menthol also has many health benefits, and the oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamins A and C.

When it comes to uses around the home, the strong smell will help deter mice and other pests. The healing qualities of the oil can help to relieve headaches and stress, and peppermint is also known for aiding with digestion. It can also be used around the home for cleaning.

The oil comes with a glass dropper so it’s easy to use and it can be added to carrier oils to make beauty products or a peppermint spray.

100% Natural Fresh Peppermint Plug In (4 Pack)

  • Pure peppermint oil
  • Fits Glade, Airwick, renuzit and other oil warmers
  • Made with all natural ingredients
  • Lasts 12 – 24 days

An easy way to use peppermint oil to deter mice is the 100% Natural Fresh Peppermint Plug in Refills.

If you want an easy way to freshen your home or keep mice and pests at bay, simply add this refill to your existing oil warmer. It can be used with Glade, Airwick, renuzit and many other warmers, and it simply slots in to place.

The oil is 100% peppermint oil which is just what you need when trying to deter mice, and it can be plugged in to any room. It contains only natural ingredients, with no synthetic materials or toxins, so there is nothing to interfere with the aroma. The smell is fresh and the aromatherapy properties can also have a soothing and relaxing effect.

Each refill lasts 12-4 days, depending on the setting on your warmer and this pack comes with 4 refills.

How to use peppermint oil to deter mice

Before you use peppermint oil, make sure you have rid your home of any infestation or nests. If mice have already settled in to your home, the peppermint oil won’t do its job. You can use humane traps to move the mice elsewhere and when the problem is solved, you can start to use your oil to stop them from coming back.

The best oil to use is 100% pure oil. Weaker solutions may not provide a strong enough scent to repel the mice.

Where to put peppermint oil

This is extremely important to get right. The mice need to pick up the smell of the peppermint before they enter your home so just putting it on the odd corner of a room won’t have the desired effect.

  • Look for areas where there has been activity in the past, particularly nesting.
  • Place the peppermint in areas where they could get in to your home.

There are a few ways you can use peppermint oil, and we’ll look at 4 of these methods.

cotton balls to get rid of mice

  1. Cotton balls

This is a very common method and also very simple. Cotton balls are a good choice if you only want to cover one room or a small area. All you need is cotton balls and peppermint oil.

  • Put gloves on so none of your own smell transfers to the cotton balls.
  • Soak the cotton balls in the oil or place 4-5 drops of peppermint oil on each ball.
  • When you have identified the areas you need to cover, place cotton balls down on the floor.
  • Replace every 2-4 weeks, depending on how strong the smell of the oil is.

You can leave the cotton balls in place all year round to make sure no mice come in to your home again.

  1. Peppermint oil spray

A spray is a better way of using the oil if you need to cover a larger area.

  • Before you start, buy or clean a sprayer so there are no traces of anything else in the bottle. A small 2-ounce bottle is plenty big enough.
  • Mix up a spray which is 1 part oil to 1 part water. If you use too much water the peppermint smell won’t be strong enough.
  • Give the mixture a good shake and spray around the areas you need to cover.
  • If you leave the mixture between uses, always shake it again before use.

As the smell starts to disappear, re-spray the area.

  1. Mix with other cleaners

This is a convenient way of using the peppermint oil to deter mice.

Simply mix it in with the cleaners you use in your house every day. Not only will it give the house a fresh, clean smell, but you will be spreading the smell of the oil all through your house.

You must remember to add plenty of oil so that it masks the smell of the cleaning product and always shake the bottle before use.

  1. Plant mint outside your house

This is a fun way to deter mice. Simply plant mint around the outside of your house.

Mint is an easy plant to grow, it is perennial and it spreads quickly. Instead of trying to get through it to your home, the mice will go elsewhere to make their nests.

You can also chop the mint as it grows and use it to add flavor to your cooking. Or why not use it to make your own peppermint spray?

Make your own peppermint spray

There are many places you can buy readymade peppermint oils and sprays.

  • Online stores
  • Home and garden stores may sell readymade peppermint sprays for rodents.
  • Herbal stores will sell 100% peppermint oil
  • Peppermint oil can be bought in Health stores
  • Some supermarkets stock peppermint oils in the cooking aisle

Making your own spray isn’t as hard as you may think. To do this you will need:

  • Fresh peppermint from your garden
  • A base oil, such as almond oil or grape seed oil. These can be bought in health shops or online.
  • A mortar and pestle, which can be bought in hobby stores
  • A jar with a lid
  • Cheesecloth or a coffee filter for straining
  • A container for your oil or spray

Now you have your equipment, you can get to work making your oil

  1. Head to the garden and cut some of your lovely peppermint.
  2. Rinse it under cold water and pat it dry.
  3. Get your mortar and pestle and add the mint. Gently crush the leaves and place them in your jar.
  4. Add your base oil to a pan and heat
  5. Pour the oil into the jar, making sure the leaves are covered and mix well.
  6. Put the lid on the jar and leave it sealed for a month.
  7. At the end of the month, open the jar and strain the oil through cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Your oil is now ready.

You can either use your oil on cotton balls, or continue and make your own spray if you are looking to cover a larger area.

  • First you need a spray bottle. A travel size one should be big enough.
  • Pour in equal quantities of peppermint oil and water.
  • Shake the bottle well and your spray is ready to use.

You should then make some fresh oil so it will be ready to refresh your spray when it runs out.

Does peppermint oil work?

If you ask people for answers, you’ll get mixed reviews, but if used correctly, it can control and stop mice from entering your home.

Here are the main reasons why peppermint oil may not work to deter mice.

  • Existing infestation. If you already have mice, you must get rid of them before using peppermint oil. Peppermint oil alone is not enough to get rid of an existing problem. It can be used to control the situation once the existing infestation has been cleared.
  • Peppermint extract. One common mistake is to use peppermint extract instead of peppermint oil. Peppermint extract is not as strong as peppermint oil so it won’t have the same effect.
  • Use plenty or oil. If you don’t use enough oil, the mice could still pick up their own scent. It smells lovely and freshens the home, so don’t be afraid to use more oil rather than less.
  • Too weak. If you dilute the oil too much, you will lose the potency. If you add it to a spray, it should be equal parts water to oil. You need to retain the menthol in the oil.
  • Refresh the oil. To keep the mice at bay you must refresh your cotton balls or re spray regularly. You can’t just spray once and leave it. As soon as the smell starts to fade, the mice can start to come back in.
  • The wrong place. Putting a cotton ball in the corner of one room isn’t enough. You need to cover the areas where you have seen mice previously and entrances where they can come in.

Here’s a really useful video on using peppermint oil to rid your home of unwanted mice!

Other uses of peppermint oil

One great advantage of peppermint oil is its versatility. It has so many uses around the home other than to repel mice and pests. If you do decide to use it for any health or medical reasons, always take advice to make sure you do so correctly.

  • The smell of peppermint invokes a feeling of well-being, so having it around the house can help you feel more relaxed.
  • It is commonly used for headaches, but can be used for any joint pain. Just add some peppermint oil to a carrier oil or hot water, and add a few drops to the area you feel the pain.
  • Digestive problems. Peppermint is wonderful for digestive problems, but don’t go drinking neat peppermint oil. You just need one drop in a glass of water to alleviate digestive problems, but you should always consult your medical practitioner first.
  • To help get rid of dandruff, just add 2-3 drops to your shampoo bottle.

Good luck getting rid of your rodents!

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