Rodents can pose a serious headache for homeowners, particularly this time of year. When winter weather brings bitterly cold temperatures to the area, critters like mice and rats seek refuge in the nearest warm structure – which could be your attic, basement, or even your pantry. Add items like non-perishable goods and storage boxes, and you have a place that a rodent could comfortably make a home.
Unfortunately,
rodents bring disease and droppings in with them, threatening your indoor air quality and the health of your family. Preventing their entry in the first place is easier than trying to tackle a rodent problem once it occurs. Simple prevention methods, like natural rodent repellent spray, help keep your home free of unwanted critters.
Many rodent repellents exist, but some contain noxious chemicals that are not suitable for a home with pets or young children. If you want to enhance the health of your home while keeping the process safe for the family, consider one of these natural rodent repellents.
Seal Off Entry Points
In the
winter months, mice will come indoors lured by the scent of food. Since they can squeeze through holes the size of a dime, a thorough check of your home’s entry points is necessary. Favorite places include through the basement, so check areas like your dryer vent. Caulk or use steel wool to cover openings and prevent mice from ever getting into your home in the first place.
Try Spicy Foods
One of the best natural rodent repellents is spicy food. Mice hate scents like peppermint oil, cloves, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Since many of these are pantry staples, they make for a simple, yet effective natural rodent repellent indoors. Soak a cotton ball in peppermint oil and roll in pepper or clove, and place strategically in areas where mice like to be – the pantry, the basement, and the attic. Keep in mind, however, that peppermint oil can be caustic and should remain away from little fingers or curious pet noses. An alternative would be to make sachets from dried versions of these foods and put them under beds or in the corners of the house.
Ammonia
Mice will naturally fear the urine of their predators and seek refuge elsewhere. Cats, one of the biggest predators, have urine with a high ammonia concentration. If you don’t have any felines of your own, consider placing capfuls of ammonia strategically throughout your home as a natural rodent repellent. If you do have a cat, leaving scoops of used kitty litter outside near entry points can be effective, too.
Discourage Nesting
Mice are notorious for being comfortable anywhere. They especially enjoy your basement or attic clutter – it’s like hanging a welcome sign for a rodent. Mice and rats can nest in newspaper, shredded cardboard box material, old pillows and blankets, and more. The more effort you put into making your home uninhabitable for rodents, the less likely they are to be a problem. Putting your possessions into plastic containers, storing food and grains out of reach, and putting dog and cat food into plastic, sealed containers are all great places to start.
Mice and rodents can seriously impact the health and happiness of your entire family. If you
notice the telltale signs of rodent activity – droppings, spilled or missing food, or shredded newspaper – take action immediately. Mice can reproduce quickly so it’s essential to manage the problem before you have a large-scale invasion on your hands. Try one of these methods to repel rodents naturally. If you need further assistance in getting rid of your
unwanted critters,
contact us and we would be happy to help!
Sources https://www.seventhgeneration.com/blog/natural-mouse-repellents-work https://www.jcehrlich.com/mice/myth-busting-natural-mice-repellents/ 
