Do Mice Hate Lavender? DIY Mouse Repellent Sachets And Sprays
The only time having a mouse in your house is okay is in a Dr. Seuss book (unless you keep one as a pet). Otherwise, it’s safe to say you don’t want mice in your home. But what if you start to see some of the little critters hanging around your abode? Certain smells repel mice; for example, mice hate lavender.
Mice strongly detest the smell of lavender, so it’s possible to drive them away if you distribute the scent properly. If you live in an area prone to mice, using repellents is a good way to keep the mice at bay. Place 8 to 10 drops of lavender oil on several cotton balls and distribute them near mouse entry points.
If you don’t want to deal with mouse traps and harsh chemicals, natural repellents can effectively discourage mice from entering your home.
They’re most effective if you avoid having debris and clutter around your home, store food in closed containers, and keep a clean house. Also, seal up any potential entry points, keeping in mind mice can squeeze through extremely tiny cracks and crevices.
Why Do Mice Hate Lavender?
Lavender has a strong odor that mice find offensive. Mice simply don’t like much of anything that has an intense odor (except maybe cheese). The smells irritate their noses and airways and make them uncomfortable.
What Does Lavender Do To Mice?
If mice smell lavender, they’ll likely avoid the area because of the pungent odor. They won’t want to make their nests or hang around too long in an area with such an intense smell.
But if the scent starts to fade, the mice will return. So, if you’re going to use lavender as a mouse repellent, be prepared to replenish the scent often.
Will Lavender Take Care Of A Mouse Infestation?
Note, if you have an infestation on your hands, lavender alone won’t cut it. You’ll need to call in the help of professionals to squelch your infestation problem. Then you can use lavender and other means to keep future mice away from your home.
Signs of a rodent infestation include:
- You notice scratches or teeth marks on baseboards, near food sources, on shelves, etc.
- You find crumbs and other food debris on pantry shelves or in unexpected areas.
- There are mouse nests in and around your house. They’re typically made with fabric scraps, shredded paper, string, pet fur, insulation, and similar materials.
- You hear scratching, scurrying, or squeaking in your walls or ceilings.
- If you have other pets, they might be acting oddly. For example, your dog whines, paws beneath cabinets or appliances, or scratches at the walls.
- You find mouse droppings in cabinets, corners, or other out-of-the-way places. Mouse droppings are small and pellet-shaped.
- You see multiple mice in your home.
How Do You Use Lavender To Get Rid Of Mice?
A simple way to distribute the lavender odor around your home is using cotton balls. Place 8 to 10 drops of pure lavender oil on a cotton ball and position it near a potential mouse entry point. Do this with as many cotton balls as necessary, depending on where you need to put them.
Common places to place lavender-soaked cotton balls are near windows and doors, in corners, and inside cabinets and drawers.
Of course, also make sure to take the time to practice basic mouse-repellent practices.
- Seal any potential cracks or gaps where mice can enter your home. According to Terminix, mice can squeeze through openings as little as ¼ of an inch.
- Don’t keep clutter, debris, and trash in or around your home.
- Clean your house regularly.
- Take the trash out immediately and make sure it’s in a sealed container.
- Store food in closed containers.
- Consider placing lavender plants in or around your home.
- Avoid planting rodent-attracting plants.
What Other Smells Do Mice Hate?
Lavender isn’t the only smell mice hate. Mice also dislike the strong smells of the following items:
- Eucalyptus
- Chili Powder Or Oil
- Cinnamon
- Vinegar
- Citronella
- Peppermint Oil
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cloves
- Cedarwood
- Rosemary
- Fabric Softener Sheets
- Bleach (The smell of bleach keeps rats and mice away, but only use diluted bleach and be aware of other pets and young children in the home. Bleach has a powerful scent that can irritate human noses and affect your family pets.)
- Ammonia (If you opt to try ammonia to repel mice, use extreme care. Ammonia is toxic and can cause a host of problems, including eye and respiratory issues and skin burns.)
Five DIY Mouse Repellent Sachets And Sprays
If you want to create some natural mouse repellents for your home, here are five DIY solutions to repel mice.
1. Anti-Mouse Spice Bags
Create these bags full of spices from Brunch with Babs to discourage mice from coming into your home.
Use simple jewelry/sachet gift bags. Fill them with one anise star, one cinnamon stick, one tablespoon of red pepper flakes, and one tablespoon of whole cloves. Tie the bags and place them in cabinets, closets, the garage, and near exterior entry points.
2. Natural Herb Sachets To Repel Mice
For this herbal mouse repellent, gather dried rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint. You’ll also need some cedar shavings, which you can get easily at a pet store. Lastly, you’ll need the following essential oils: peppermint, cedarwood, lavender, and rosemary. Other optional oils are various citrus oils or basil.
Crumble a decent amount of each of the dried herbs into a large bowl. Then add enough cedar shavings to create four cups. Place 20 drops of each of the essential oils into the bowl and mix everything together.
Fill sachet bags with your mouse mixture (use a funnel to make things easier). Tie the bags and gently massage them to help release the fragrance. Then place them around popular mouse entries and hangout spots.
3. DIY Mouse Repellent Spray
Another way to create a DIY mouse repellent is to mix up a special spray. You can also use this spray to refresh your DIY sachets distributed around your home.
Use peppermint oil, or your mouse-repelling oil of choice, like eucalyptus, lavender, etc. Put two tablespoons of the oil and one cup of water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of Dawn dish soap (it helps the solution stick to surfaces) and mix it all together.
Apply the spray in corners, near entryways, and anywhere else you think mice might be trying to gain access to your home. If you have herbal sachets in these areas, refresh them using the spray.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar And Water Spray
Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply to entry areas, corners, under cabinets, and inside closets. Also, use the solution to wipe down the inside of cabinets and clean your countertops.
5. Cayenne Pepper Spray
Mix two tablespoons of cayenne pepper flakes into one gallon of water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap (again — it helps the solution stick to surfaces). Allow the mixture to sit overnight, then pour it into a spray bottle to apply as needed.
Alternatively, instead of using flakes, you can use actual cayenne peppers. Chop up peppers and use one pepper for every four cups of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle along with a few drops of dish soap.
When using fresh peppers, you won’t need to let the mixture sit and steep overnight. So, if you want to use your homemade pepper spray right away, go with this concentrated solution.
Can I Buy Mouse Repellent Sachets?
If you’re not up for making DIY mouse sachets, you can purchase natural repellent sachets from home improvement stores or online. You can also find some DIY options made by others on sites like Etsy.
For example, these peppermint oil sachets promise to make mice run, and they’re biodegradable. If you need to refresh the scent, you simply add a few more drops of peppermint oil to the outside of the sachet.
Keep Mice Away With Lavender And More
Putting the proper steps in place to keep mice out of your home can give you peace of mind. It can also keep you from dealing with a dead mouse in your house. If you’re simply trying to deter mice and not dealing with an infestation, several natural methods can work as mice deterrents.
The little critters don’t like strong odors. Therefore, mice hate lavender and other pungent scents like eucalyptus, peppermint, and cloves. Soak cotton balls with 8 to 10 drops of lavender and place them in cabinets, closets, and near entry points. When the scent fades, make sure to refresh the cotton with more drops of lavender.
You can also create DIY mouse-repellent sachets using essential oils, herbs, and other ingredients. Placing these DIY deterrents near areas mice frequent can discourage them from coming into your home. Plus, you won’t have to use harsh chemicals or messy traps. Of course, another option is to get a cat, but a feline won’t make your home smell as good as these DIY tricks.
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Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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