Rats and mice have a poor sense of vision, so their other senses are heightened to allow them to survive – this means they are very sensitive to smell
Rats and mice, with their notoriously poor eyesight, rely heavily on their keen sense of smell to navigate and survive.
To deter these unwelcome visitors, households are advised to use potent scents that can “overpower” the rodents’ olfactory capabilities.
Experts at Eliminated LTD have revealed a list of odours that are anathema to rats and mice, ensuring they “stay away”.
One such scent is lavender; it turns out that mice and rats “hate the smell of lavender”. By using lavender-scented products or even better, planting lavender, you can keep them at bay naturally.
For a DIY repellent, mix a quarter to half a cup of lavender flowers with one-quarter cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use and spritz surfaces in affected areas until they’re moist but not soaking, reports the Express.
Refresh this concoction monthly to maintain its efficacy in repelling mice from your abode.
Another potent deterrent is citrus oil, loathed by rats and mice due to the presence of limonenea compound found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.
Limonene also imparts the fresh, clean scent to many household cleaning agents like soaps, detergents, and disinfectants. Citrus oils, particularly lemon and orange, are touted as “very effective at keeping rats and mice away” from specific zones or items.
However, due to the potency of citrus oils, they should be used sparingly or diluted with water before being applied to an area or object that requires treatment.
Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is “effective” in deterring rats and mice as they are repelled by the smell of menthol.
When mice encounter the scent of this essential oil, they “associate it with danger and fear”. Consequently, they’ll “avoid areas” where it’s present or attempt to “stay away from it” as much as possible.
This is one of the most common ingredients used in homemade mouse repellents. The strong aroma is enough to keep mice away from a specific area or object.
Simply put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in areas where mice tend to hide.
Chilli powder
Chilli powder is another excellent choice for creating homemade rat repellents because it’s “inexpensive and easy to obtain at most grocery stores”.
You’ll need approximately two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water before adding it to your spray bottle or hand sanitiser container.
The experts stated: “This is an effective home remedy for getting rid of mice because it smells terrible to them and they won’t stay around long enough for their sense of smell to become accustomed to it.”
Simply sprinkle some chilli powder in areas where you suspect there may be mice, such as behind cupboards or under furniture.
