Mice and rats can be a problem in February as they can have trouble finding food in late winter – but there is a natural and effective repellent to banish them from the home
Rats and mice are more likely to create havoc in homes around February as they scavenge for food during the scarce late winter months.
However, keeping them at bay could be far less complicated than you think. Quite a few people shy away from the traditional methods of using traps or poisons to tackle rodent problems. This is particularly a concern when children or pets are running about the home.
Experts at Seventh Generation have tipped that for going the kill route might even backfire – especially if it’s breeding season for the rodents. They warned: “Killing mice won’t get rid of them for long (when animals are killed, more will move in to use available resources) and can actually result in a temporary spike in the food supply, causing remaining rodents to breed.”
But worry not, they also dish out a non-lethal, yet super effective trick to keep your abode rodent-free. It’s all about tickling – or rather bombarding – their sensitive sniffers with overwhelming scents. The expert advice is pretty straightforward: “Peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves. Mice are said to hate the smell of these.”
All you need to do is drench some cotton balls with oils from these pungent pantry staples and leave them where you’ve spotted signs of mouse mischief, reports the Express. Since rodents boast a remarkably keen sense of smell, overpowering odours, particularly spicy ones, are sure to send them packing.
Both mice and rats utilise their sense of smell to detect predators, so introducing unusual odours into your home can deter them from entering potentially unsafe areas. Many potent spices, herbs and essential oils can help maintain a pest-free home without the need for traps or harmful chemicals.
The expert suggested: “Another option is to make cheesecloth sachets from dry cayenne, mint, and whole cloves and leave them in places where mice tend to hide, such as under beds and corners.”
However, if you’re using natural remedies to combat mice and rats, it’s crucial to ensure your home appears uninviting to them. Ensure no food sources are exposed in your kitchen and take the time to seal everything up as rodents will be drawn to any accessible food.
It’s also vital to ensure there’s no rubbish that rodents can access, as they can use discarded materials to build nests. The expert advised: “Mice only need a little bit of food and nesting material to make themselves at home. To discourage mice, remove all food sources by storing grains, pet food, and other dry goods in metal containers.
“Make sure mice won’t find nesting material by storing all soft, fluffy material like fabric, rugs and blankets in heavy plastic or metal boxes.”
Taking the time to eliminate any items rodents might be attracted to, and to introduce strong odours into your home, is a simple yet highly effective strategy to keep both mice and rats at bay.