Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
We were told to use peppermint oil to get rid of mice. We were told to put a few drops of it on a cotton ball then place it where they or you think they come in. What we would like to know is how much is a few drops and can you use any type of peppermint oil or does it have to be the best?
Thanks,
Gene from WI
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Peppermint Oil is very effective at keeping mice out of cupboards, etc. Just put a few drops on a cotton ball and put in cupboards, etc. Replenish every couple of weeks. Peppermint oil can be purchased at most health food stores.
Shelley (10/13/2005)
By ThriftyFun
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
To answer the question below about ants: peppermint is an excellent ant repellent. So you needn't worry about it attracting bugs.
(11/28/2007)
By Uzuri
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Put peppermint soaked cotton balls in aluminum foil and poke holes in it. Mice can't bite through foil. (12/18/2007)
By BJ
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
When I opened my camping trailer in the spring of 2007, it was loaded with mouse droppings. When I closed my trailer in the fall of 2007, I put peppermint oil in glass cups (will melt plastic ones) all over the trailer. When I opened up this past spring, not one dropping anywhere. I don't care how much it costs, I'm sold. (05/30/2008)
By Pam
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Use a pure peppermint oil. You can order off the internet. Three years ago I had a bad mouse problem. I started with the oil. Not one mouse, or dropping since. I can't praise it enough. I use small cotton balls and saturate them. I put them out by the garage door, the interior entrance door, behind the dryer and frig and under the kitchen sink. I change them out every 2-3 weeks. So worth it. (05/30/2008)
By Fran
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Make sure you use pure peppermint oil and not extract. You buy this at health/vitamin stores in the essential oils section. (09/28/2008)
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
You can also use panti-liners cut into one inch strips to make mini-stickups in hidden places. (baseboards behind drapes, under or in cabinets) They are discreet since cut into small strips. Just expose less of the glue strip if concerned about the damaging surface of your cabinets. (10/04/2008)
By Stick'Ems
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I put a few drops of peppermint oil in the cabinet, and in the drawer without a cotton ball. The smell stays until you wash it. (10/11/2008)
By sone978 AT aol.com
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Peppermint oil? Forget it.
At least for me, didn't work. And the oil I used was so strong it made me dizzy. At first I thought; must be part-mouse. But since it didn't work on them, I just realized how I hate peppermint. What did work was cayenne pepper sprinkled around the area.
Note to the person with the stove problem: If you have access to the area underneath the stovetop (some stovetops are lid-like), then sprinkle the pepper liberally, coating the area, then close the lid. Sprinkle behind the stove, and underneath if possible. (10/22/2008)
By Ed
Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Take a mesh metal scouring pad and pull it apart. Wrap a section of the looser mesh around the cotton ball with oil. The claim is that mice (and rats) can't eat through the metal. Another recommendation is using the pulled mesh to block any suspected openings that the vermin use.
I find that taking wads or tufts of cat hair (from combing my cat) and stuffing them in under dressers and furniture will reduce traffic. I've used both salvaged garlic clove bags or retired knee-high nylons stuffed with cat hair for "repellent sachets". (11/01/2008)
By Lotto
RE: Peppermint Oil for roaches Control
Diluting the peppermint oil works, as well full strength. (01/31/2009)
By Jeannie
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
For the people that say the cotton balls are disappearing: mix peppermint oil with cayenne pepper and dip the cotton balls in the solution.
The peppermint oil irritates rodents but it eventually will evaporate. Once it has evaporated the rodents like the cotton balls for nesting material. However, they will not take the cotton balls with the cayenne pepper as it will burn and irritate them, too.
To be most effective you should replace or re-dip the cotton balls ever few weeks. One or two drops will evaporate rather quickly. I'd recommend a bit more than that by saturating the cotton balls. You may want to protect wood or painted indoor surfaces by placing the cotton ball on a small glass candle plate. (04/18/2009)
By jrs235
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I have used peppermint oil for years with great success. It can be a little hard to find pure oil, but can be done. I also planted peppermint plants around my deck in order to create another barrier before entering the house. It is a great ground cover that spreads easily and is very fragrant when you cut it down. It is next to impossible to kill. I put my cotton balls in every room, because I want to ensure I leave no area untouched. Also, at first you will feel like you are in a candy store with the smell of peppermint, but you do get used to it. (09/29/2009)
By irishcheer
Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I have mice in my attached garage. I ran out and purchased several little bottles of peppermint oil and saturated many cotton balls and put them all around. The mice are practically laughing at me. I do not want to kill them, just repel them. Help.
By ProfessorEnglish from Lubbock, TX
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I've always heard to use moth balls. (02/26/2010)
By memymoebly
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Don't use moth balls. They are terribly toxic, and smell terrible. I would prefer the mice. For proper mouse control, you need a cat, or maybe two. Anything else is a waste of time. If they are in your garage, it is only a matter of time before they are in your cupboard eating the rice, cereal, and crackers.
You can't repel mice. They don't take hints. You could trap them, I suppose, or set out poison, figure out where they are coming in, and cover the holes with metal. It is just so much easier to have cats. Besides, they purr. (02/27/2010)
By louel53
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
OK first of all, mice are in heat every 5 days and can pop a litter at your house every 21 days. I guess I would do more than just make them smell good with peppermint. The mint factor is to plant that around the outside of your home. It is like weeds when it gets going and has good roots too. This is to DETER them away and not hid around your house.
Once they gain entrance, you have to poison or trap. The best is the sticky traps. My son's home was taken over by the mice that came in to the house in the fall cold. 15 caught in 1 day. No food, drawers, etc are safe. Even get into the oven not in use.
If you have pet feeding areas, vermin love that--not only mice. One trade off, if you have snakes in your yard, you don't often get mice. Natural enemies. Mickey Mouse is not real, but your problem is. Put your thoughts elsewhere to a humane society, etc and just plain trap/poison those mice. Think of the germs and disease they bring into the house. You or them!
PS. I love the peppermint on the cotton ball--use it all the time for sinus issues. Tuck it in a pocket, stick it by your pillow. (02/27/2010)
By TandT Grandma
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
WOW, well done for the oil. It's like the Exodus. I'm keeping quiet and watching these little beggars chat as they leave. It's actually quite scary that I thought there was only a few. I'm so grateful that the Good Lord saw fit to make peppermint, Arrrgh, no there's another one, they look pissed. Glad it works, can't really see myself hitting something as pathetic as a doormouse. I knew there was a way, just hope they're gonna stay gone. I've still got to do the border patrol but so far so good :) (03/16/2010)
By house daddy
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
Hi all who love animals but not when they don't pay rent. Ok, my girl is 22 months old. I have a box room that looks like WW3 behind the fridge. I found a 12 inch doorway for these guys to walk though. What bothered me was the cute little size of the first one I saw. they breed at the rate of fire. I realized that there must be a whole nest waiting to breed again. I went and got 100%pure p-mint oil put half in an old atomizer with a bit of water and set the nozzle to a fine mist.
I just did the centers of the rooms (always leave your enemy an escape route kinda thing). I did this one hour ago. It's night time and they're going nuts. Hopefully they will retreat to the zone that's not my home. Next I'm gonna give the place a blast of scrubbing, mopping and shaking, sweeping furniture, beating, surface disinfecting. Then I'll do the cotton wool p-mint doormen. I will keep you all posted as tonight is the proof for me. (03/16/2010)
By house daddy
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I do agree that a cat is great a keeping mice away. However, I wouldn't recommend it. We use to let my cat in the basement every fall/winter to hunt for mice seeking shelter. One day he started throwing up after killing a mouse. He was never the same and developed some type of stomach cancer throwing up all the time. I can't prove the mouse was the definite cause, but it started immediately after he killed/ate the mouse. You don't know what these mice are carrying! I've been tempted to try fox urine, but I have small children and have been told it could also attract real foxes to the house. (05/28/2010)
By ThemBones24
Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I have an "all natural" solution for getting rid of mice. No poison, traps, or sprays to harm your pets or children and it smells awesome. I have had great success with this. Buy a bottle of 100% pure peppermint essential oil (you can buy an inexpensive brand as long as it says 100% pure on the label). Place 1 or 2 drops of the oil on a cotton ball and place the cotton balls around the house where the mice are visiting. They will just leave the premises.
Thanks.
Susan
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
RE: Where do you get peppermint oil?
You can purchase peppermint oil in your local health food store also some of the super grocery stores that have a large health section might carry them. Just buy the cheapest one that says 100% pure essential oil. One small bottle will last a very long time. If you have any questions you can e-mail me.
(04/12/2005)
By suzi_q_6873
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
It works great for me and makes your house smell good. Thank you. (01/11/2006)
By Philhammond .
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
It didn't work at all! I put the cotton balls all over the house, the 100% pure essential oil that I bought at a health food store. I really believed in this, but the mouse just walked right over it and right into the trap. Bang! At least I got one, but I was really hoping it would scare all the mice away. There was 3 cotton balls with 3 drops each within three feet of the trap. And they have only been there for 24 hrs. Maybe my mice like mint? Any other suggestions? (01/22/2006)
By Anna
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I have tried the peppermint oil and it doesn't work. The mice just steal the the cotton balls and rip them apart and you find them in different spots. I did use real peppermint oil so don't waste your time doing this. (12/11/2006)
By Jill
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I heard you can put moth balls around the areas and they hate the smell.
Editor's Note: Mothballs do deter a lot of things, but then we have a lot of people coming back to find out how to get rid of the mothball smell. They also can be harmful to pets. Use them with caution. (03/01/2007)
By Sue
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Be sure to use peppermint oil, not extract. The extract contains a sugar alcohol that attracts ants. You can also plant mint, but be very careful as it is invasive and spreads like wildfire once fully mature. We planted some near our camp, near the water and hit it with the weed whacker once a week and it keeps them out of the camper in the winter. Getting rid of the mice also helps keep the snakes away. The peppermint essential oil works good in the months when the plants are dormant. (03/07/2008)
By Rebecca
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Yes it works! I am so petrified of mice that I cry, literally. I used 100% Peppermint oil., now no mice and no droppings. (04/11/2008)
By Joy in Baltimore
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Worked for me. When I opened up my camping trailer in 2007, it was loaded with mouse droppings. When I closed it in 2007, I put peppermint oil in cups throughout the trailer (would suggest using glass as it seems to melt the plastic cups). When I opened up this past weekend, I could still smell the peppermint, and not one mouse dropping in the trailer. It is so worth it to me! (05/12/2008)
By Pam
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
We've had mice in our walls for 10 years. We've tried everything. The peppermint oil does work. It's fantastic! For the first time in 10 years we don't have any mice. It worked in the garage too! (06/05/2008)
By Kristi
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Go to http://www.bodyoilsny.com/ . We carry the best peppermint oil to get rid of mice. (08/07/2008)
By Michael
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I bought my peppermint oil at GNC, I just started using it, hope it works! (08/13/2008)
By Heidi
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I have been using peppermint oil to deter the mice from our summer home for three years now. As we open the house in the spring, and when we close it in the fall. I bought cheap disposable aluminum muffin tins, cut them to make individual cups, and put the peppermint oil cotton balls in them. That way there is no mess from the oil. I haven't seen any mice in three years now, and the house smells pleasant. (10/01/2008)
By mamadole
Where to buy the Peppermint Oil
You can get it from any organic store. You have to get "pure" peppermint oil. Nothing else will substitute.
My cousin has been a janitor for years and says its the only thing that has worked for him to get rid of mice for the last 25 years. This is the time of year that they want to come into your home so its time to get some. Soak cotton balls in it and put them around your home. They will not come back! (10/29/2008)
By Sassymama22
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is $20 at GNC. Instead, buy it at iherb for $10, Now Foods Peppermint Oil, 4 oz. Use code HIT028 to get $5 off.
It does get rid of mice and ants! Also, mix it with a little oil or aloe vera and put on your dogs paws to calm them when it storms. (11/02/2008)
By J.White
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
If the peppermint doesn't work for you, try spearmint. In aromatherapy classes, they recommend it! (11/23/2008)
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I had good success with peppermint oil. It has kept mice out of my underground spring house and water tank house, where they were always nesting before. I made a long-term peppermint scent dispenser using oil lamp parts from Lehman's Hardware in Kidron, Ohio. They sell a canning jar oil lamp adapter for $1.95, and a #2 oil lamp burner for $2.95. Put these together, screw the adapter onto a 4 oz canning jar containing peppermint oil, turn up the wick, and you have a non-stop mouse deterrent that lasts for months on one fill.
Obviously, you don't light it! I'm sure peppermint oil is highly inflammable.
(08/20/2009)
By BobAcland
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
We had trouble with mice getting into our motorhome while stored in the yard. We went to Tractor Supply and in the rat poison section there was a box containing 4 small canvas bags with some kind of natural stuff in it that keeps mice and rats away from the area you place them in. We put all four small bags in our RV four months ago and haven't seen any evidence of mice since. The bags have a nice scent to us, but apparently rodents don't like it. (08/20/2009)
By bsmoreland
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
For people who say peppermint oil doesn't work. Everyone needs to remember that if there are mice in your house/RV, etc. and you place the cotton balls around, the mice can't get outside. Rid yourself of the mice, then use the peppermint oil to keep them out. (02/06/2010)
By Rick
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Warning to cat owners! Peppermint oil is toxic to cats! It can actually kill them. Please do not use peppermint around your cats! Google it! (03/23/2010)
By chicken patty
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
It sure does work for me! When my husband and I moved into our house, there were rats and mice in the attic. After no luck with traps, and not wanting to use poisons, I learned about peppermint oil for rodents from our local organic plant nursery. Bought some oil at Whole Foods, soaked cotton balls and scattered around the attic, and they left immediately. Haven't had an attic invader in 3 years now! (See warning at bottom about cats and peppermint oil!)
However, last summer, mice and rats started eating all of the "almost ripe" tomatoes in our garden each night. (We actually saw mice eating them, so we knew they were the guilty party.) This time, instead of buying the peppermint oil, which can get spendy, I started making my own. I bought a peppermint plant, but didn't want to plant it in the garden, because they are so invasive and get out of control quickly. I always keep anything in the mint family in a pot only!
To make your own: (This is not intended for an aromatherapy grade peppermint oil! For that you must wash and thoroughly dry the leaves, use a sterile jar and lid, and use a carrier oil such as grape seed or almond oil. This is my quickie "Just for Rodents oil".
Cut a large handful of peppermint leaves. (I use some softer stems as well.) Put them in a clean jar (8-10oz size is what I use) then use the back of a spoon to smash them lightly. This will cause the leaves to begin releasing their oils. Fill jar with vegetable oil, put lid on, and shake well. I let it sit about 72 hours to get pretty strong. Next put through a strainer to separate oil from leaves, and discard leaves. I sprinkle the oil around the raised veggie garden beds. (be sure not to get any oil ON the plants because if you live someplace hot like me in TX, the sun will fry the oil and it will burn your plants!) I also sprinkle some along our fence where we have seen them en route to the garden. I put out more every few days, especially after watering or rain. Viola! No more destroyed tomatoes. I started to do that this year when tomatoes first started to produce fruit, and have had no mice. You can also sprinkle it around garbage cans to keep them away, plus it covers yucky garbage smells.
A few notes:
- Peppermint oil "is" toxic to cats. Do not use around cats!
- Spearmint, and plain mint oils work too, but not were not as effective for me.
- Peppermint extract (used for baking) Did not work at all for me, as they walked right by it, without a care. Since that is alcohol based, it probably evaporates too quickly, taking 90% of the odor with it.
Hope this helps. (06/27/2010)
By CynVamp
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I use peppermint oil all the time to keep mice away, and it keeps ants from coming in to my home. They are both allergic to the peppermint and if you have yard rodents put a piece of spearmint gum in their hole and they will be gone. It is not magic, it takes time and you have to replace the cotton balls about every 3 to 4 weeks. (09/18/2010)
By jermar
Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
If you want to get rid of mice or other rodents in your house, the use of peppermint oils is the best.
By babyboy70529 from Duson, LA
RE: Peppermint Oil for Mice Control
I have and still use peppermint oil to keep mice away. It does work. In fact, it makes them drunk! When I had birds, I happened to look in the cage and a mouse was in the cage with the birds. I doused the mouse with peppermint oil and it was, should I say, "out of it?" I was able to get rid of the mouse. However, I believe a strong dose of the oil may have affected one of the birds. A few days later it was dead. Every two weeks I spray my basement with peppermint oil. It's best to buy the large bottle. It lasts longer. (09/14/2010)
By Regijo
Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Is peppermint oil safe around dogs and cats when using it to keep mice away? Are there any other oils that work on mice and are they safe for pets?
By Candy from Masury, OH
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
Have a heart to heart talk with your cats. It is their job to keep the mice away. No peppermint oils should be necessary.
Other posters say it is toxic to cats. I don't know. (09/29/2010)
By louel53
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
I don't think the peppermint oil is safe for animals. If they leave it alone, it probably wouldn't be a problem, but we had a cat that loved it more than catnip and would tear my purse up to get to my peppermint chewing gum and lip gloss. (10/02/2010)
By lyonpridej
RE: Get Rid of Mice Naturally With Peppermint Oil
For those that have said it is poisonous to cats. My sister is a vet. She checked all the professional resources and said it is not listed anywhere as being hazardous to cats. We have 3 of them. They do catch the mice, but I don't want to kill the little buggers. I just want them out of my house! We put the oil (from GNC $8) by our boiler where we found the droppings. No mice since. (12/17/2010)
By sillyirish708
There are a number of methods used to get rid of mice without the use of poison or traps. This is a guide about using peppermint oil for mice control.
By Christine.mattice10/03/2012
Peppermint Oil for Mice Control