7 All-Natural Ways To Keep Mice From Getting Inside Your Home

When it’s cold outside, mice want to stay warm. That can mean they try to get inside your house. But you can keep them away with these tips — and mousetraps or an exterminator won’t even be necessary (which is good, especially if you don’t like the dangerous chemicals that come with the latter).

To help find the source of entry, experts recommend looking for small holes (as small as a dime) where you can see light from the outside coming in. Also, look around places where you feel a draft as that may help direct you to the problem area.

A lot of our wonderful readers have suggested getting a cat. That’s probably one of the best ways, but for those who aren’t able to add a kitty to the family, here are some other ideas.

1. Tabasco Sauce

This is the first of a few spicy solutions you can try: Sprinkle some drops of Tabasco sauce outside, around the foundation of your house. You can also create a solution by mixing two to three tablespoons of Tabasco sauce with a cup of dish detergent and four liters of water. Then spray the solution onto any areas where they can get in. Easy, right?

2. Cayenne Pepper

While we’re on the subject of spicy condiments, cayenne pepper is an inexpensive yet effective way to keep the mice away. Every few weeks, just sprinkle it around any potential areas where the vermin can sneak inside your home and then watch them not come inside.

3. Garlic

When you mix chopped garlic with water, you can make your very own anti-mice spray. Or you can leave garlic cloves or garlic powder in places where mice may enter your home.

MORE: How To Make A No-Kill Mouse Trap To Get Rid Of Mice Without Harm

4. Dryer Sheets

Though not everyone believes in dryer sheets to ward off mice, I think they’re certainly worth a try, and many people attest to using them as a mouse repellent. You can stuff them into any crack or area that mice can potentially get into your home: floor cracks, holes in the attic, you name it. The stronger the dryer sheet scent, the better, as mice are not fans of the pleasant-smelling product.

5. Cloves

Mice don’t like cloves, though leaving them around the house will be nice for you as a natural bit of aromatherapy — almost like inhaling an essential oil. You can place a bunch of cloves inside pantyhose or a strainer cloth and put them in any areas where mice could potentially appear.

6. Peppermint

First, get yourself some 100% pure peppermint oil and put at least five drops on a cotton ball. Then, place them in all areas where mice would be likely to get into your house. Refresh the cotton balls every two to four weeks — you want to make sure they’re pungent enough to deter the mice.

You can also mix peppermint oil with water and spray it in any areas you think mice can get inside.

7. Ammonia

Mice hate strong smells, and ammonia is among them. Put some into small bowls and leave them in areas where mice may enter your house. However, ammonia is not the most pleasant-smelling or healthy chemical for humans and pets, so I would try other remedies first.

Do you have a tried-and-true method to keep mice out?