Keep Mice Away Naturally: 7 Simple & Effective Methods

Tired of mice sneaking into your home? Skip the harsh chemicals and try these natural, effective tricks using common household items—including an unexpected duo: matches and tomato!

1. Match & Tomato Trick

Mice have a strong aversion to sharp, pungent scents. Try this clever hack:

• Place a few match heads (sulfur end) inside a hollowed-out tomato.
• Position the tomato near entry points or areas where mice have been spotted.

Why it Works:

The combination of sulfur from the matches and the acidic, potent scent of tomato naturally repels mice without harming them.

2. Peppermint Oil Spray

Mice dislike the intense aroma of peppermint.

• Mix 10–15 drops of peppermint essential oil with water in a spray bottle.
• Spray along baseboards, corners, and possible entry points.

3. Vinegar & Water Solution

Mice find the smell of vinegar unpleasant.

• Mix equal parts white vinegar and water.
• Wipe down floors, countertops, and areas where mice might roam.

4. Bay Leaves

The scent of bay leaves confuses and repels mice.

• Scatter a few leaves in cupboards, pantry corners, or under appliances.
• Mice are also unlikely to chew on them.

5. Steel Wool & Cayenne Pepper

Mice can squeeze through tiny gaps—so block them effectively.

• Fill small holes or cracks with steel wool.
• Sprinkle cayenne pepper around these areas for an extra deterrent.

6. Cloves or Clove Oil

The strong aroma of cloves keeps mice at bay.

• Place whole cloves in sachets or cotton balls soaked in clove essential oil.
• Position them near baseboards, under sinks, and inside cabinets.

7. Onion Trick

Mice can’t stand the smell of onions.

• Place freshly sliced onions in suspected mouse activity areas.
• Replace them every few days to maintain effectiveness.

Final Tip:

For best results, combine multiple methods. Keep your home clean, store food securely, and seal any small gaps to prevent future infestations.

No traps, no chemicals—just natural solutions for a mouse-free home!

How to chase mice effectively

A naughty mouse may look adorable in cartoons, yet mice are troublesome pests that bite off everything, such as clothes, shoes, and electrical wires. A mouse bite may need treatment and injections. Mice destroy the stored grains and are also carriers for various diseases from the bubonic plague to leptospirosis.

Effective control of mice infestation involves prevention and mice population reduction. Preventive measures include sanitation and exclusion.

In this post, we share a step by step guide on getting rid of mice from your home – and keeping them out for good.

How to chase mice effectively with rice

Please prepare:

– a small handful of rice
– a spoon of cement,
– a spoon of sesame oil.

Instructions

– Step 1: Put the rice in a pan and stir-fry it with your hands. When the rice is yellow and fragrant, it is done.
– Step 2: Pour the rice into a bowl and add sesame oil and mix well.
– Step 3: Put the cement in the bowl of rice and mix well.
– Step 4: Divide the mixture into several parts and place them in places where mice often pass by, such as in the kitchen, cupboard, under the bed, etc.

The scent of roasted rice and sesame oil will attract mice to find food. However, after eating, they will smell water.

When exposed to water, cement will clump, causing mice to feel uncomfortable, have a sluggish digestive system, and intestinal obstruction. Then, the mice will d–ie.

Methods to Avoid

1. Cats

Sure, a cat may kill a few mice, but even the most ferocious mouse hunter won’t be enough to eliminate an established mouse population.

Plus, mice carry diseases and parasites they can easily pass to domestic pets, so encouraging contact between mice and household cats is never a good idea.

2. “Mouse-repellent” plants

Some sources say that strong-smelling plants like garlic, onions, lavender, daffodils, and mint will keep mice from invading your home or garden.

Unfortunately, there’s no evidence to support that claim!

3. Cheese for baiting traps

While the cartoons would have us believe that mice love cheese, there are many other foods they prefer, including high-aroma foods like bacon, peanut butter, chicken, and nuts.

If you want your traps to catch mice, don’t waste your time baiting them with cheddar. For best results, pay attention to what mice are eating around your home and use that instead.

4. Fabric Softner

While the strong smell of fabric softener sheets might repel mice at first, it will only take a few days for them to get used to the scent.