Best Mouse Repellent For Homes

Mice and rodents are some of the most prevalent and annoying household pests in the United States. They infiltrate our homes through vulnerabilities in the perimeter of our houses, cracks and crevices along the siding, and even through tears in screens or gaps in doorways.

Once mice are inside, it’s difficult to get rid of them. If you’re looking for a good mouse repellent to prevent future mouse infestations in your home, then you’re not only on the right track, but you’ve come to the right place.

Keep reading to learn more.

Why Use Mouse Repellent In Your Home?

Using mouse repellent can help reduce your chances of dealing with a mouse infestation.

Mice are not only a nuisance pest when they get into your home, but they can also be dangerous. Their feces can carry serious and even deadly diseases including Hantavirus, Salmonellosis, and Bubonic plague.

Rodents like mice can also cause structural damage, property damage, and lead to other pest problems as well.

The below video talks more about the importance of using mouse repellent and the dangerous effects mouse infestations can have on your health.

When looking for a way to get rid of mice and rodents inside the home, most of us automatically think about rodent poisons and mouse traps, but if you live in an area where mice are common, you’re going to want to think one step ahead of these furry home invaders.

Stopping mice before they get into your home could save you hundreds of dollars on pest control and even keep you and your loved ones from falling ill.

This is why it’s important to find and use a good mouse repellent all year round. Depending on your goals, lifestyle and needs, there are different types of mouse repellent options you can choose from.

These options include:

• Natural Mouse Repellent
• Ultrasonic Mouse Repellent
• Homemade Mouse Repellent

Not sure which mouse repellent is best for you? Don’t worry. We are going to go over some of our favorite products and learn more about each of the above options to help you make the decision that is right for you.

Let’s start with the best mouse repellent sprays products for your home below.

Best Natural Mouse Repellent

Natural mouse repellent products are a safe and humane way to deter mice and keep them outside.

Some people assume that natural mouse repellent products are less effective than chemical mouse repellent products, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, when used correctly and in conjunction with other preventative pest control measures, natural mouse repellent products work very well.

Furthermore, it’s difficult to find anything other than natural mouse repellent products on the market, considering mice are so sensitive to certain smells and chemical and toxic options are not often needed to repel them in the first place.

Natural repellents are also safer to use inside homes with children and pets as they often work by using smells or sounds that mice and other pests are highly irritated by but that don’t harm people, dogs or cats.

That said, be aware that some of the below natural mouse repellent products could be bothersome to smaller pets like guinea pigs, pet rats, birds, etc. We should also note that some of the natural mouse repellents on our below list might also still be dangerous for children and pets in large doses, so always use these products as directed.

Eco Defense Rodent Gone Repellent

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The above mouse repellent spray is ideal for use inside of homes where children and pets live. It uses all natural ingredients like peppermint oil, cinnamon oil, and castor oil to repel rats, mice, and other rodent pests.

You can use it all over the house as it is an organic formula, and even works inside cars. This is also a cruelty-free mouse repellent as it deters mice and other rodents without harming them.

Natural Armor Peppermint Rodent Defense

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Another mouse repellent that uses essential oils like peppermint oil is Rodent Defense by Natural Armor. This is a large 128 oz gallon spray order that can be used both inside and outside of your home to repel and deter mice, rats, and other rodents from coming near.

It is safe for both people and pets as the ingredients are all natural and contain no harsh chemicals or toxins. It also won’t stain and leaves behind a fresh peppermint smell you’ll love but mice will hate.

Grandpa Gus’s Mouse Repellent Pouches

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We have used Grandpa Gus’s products before for squirrel control, but we also like his all natural, time released scent pouches that repel mice. This is another all natural mouse repellent that is safe to use in homes with children and pets as it contains natural ingredients.

It also comes in pouches so you can simply place it around your home to keep mice and other rodents at bay. This means that application is simple and clean, and you don’t have to spray or use chemicals to repel these pests.

MDXConcepts Mice Repellent

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We also often use MDX Concepts products for natural spider and bed bug control, but the peppermint oil and other natural ingredients in this spray are great for a solid mouse repellent as well.

The above spray is ideal for using inside your home and spot treating certain areas around the house like the kitchen, in bedrooms, and beneath sinks or appliances. The ingredients used are all natural and organic and the spray is safe for children and pets.

Best Ultrasonic Mouse Repellents

Mice are sensitive to certain sounds and vibrations, which is why ultrasonic sound repellers are so effective. 

Ultrasonic pest repellers work well, especially when used alongside other mouse repellent products like essential oil sprays. That said, you can use ultrasonic sound repellents on their own to repel mice and other rodents safely and effectively.

This is an ideal method for those who want to avoid using sprays or pouches, and who don’t like the strong smell of peppermint or other essential oils, botanical ingredients, or odors in general that are often used to repel mice.

Let’s take a look at some of our favorite ultrasonic sound repeller products below.

TBI Pro Ultrasonic Sound Pest Repeller

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We like the ultrasonic pest repeller plug in above by TBI Pro because it’s easy to use and simple to place.

The repeller works by emitting ultrasonic sound waves and vibrations that irritate mice and other pests, thus encouraging them to stay away. While we do like the above ultrasonic mouse repellent product, you may need to use more than one in different rooms, and it will likely work best in conjunction with other mouse repellent remedies, especially if you find you frequently deal with rodent infestations.

Angveirt Ultrasonic Mouse Repellent

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This ultrasonic mouse repellent works similarly to the TBI mouse repeller on this list as it releases ultrasonic sound waves and vibrations that irritate mice. The order comes in a two pack and can be used in basements, garages, attics, crawl spaces and even in cars.

It is not ideal for bedrooms or inside living spaces in the home, however, as it includes a strobe light that can be irritating to people and pets. Because of its strobe light and random release of vibrations and ultrasonic sounds, the repeller also works to repel bat infestations.

Unlike some other ultrasonic mouse repellent products, this product also runs on batteries, making it much easier to move and more simple to place in difficult areas like crawl spaces or garages without outlets.

Essential Oil Mouse Repellent and Recipes

If you’re on a tight budget or would prefer to try your hand at do it yourself pest control, then you’ll love learning that there are home remedies you can use to make your own mouse repellent right there at home.

In fact, you likely already have a plethora of mouse repellent ingredients stored away in your pantry, fridge, or bathroom cupboard.

Let’s go over some of the best household ingredients you can use as mouse repellent and then we’ll talk about some recipes and tips on how to put them to use.

Essential Oil Mouse Repellent

Essential oils work well to get rid of not only mice, but many other pests like insects, bats, snakes and spiders.

However, not all essential oils will work to get rid of mice. Some of the best essential oils that work well for mouse repellent include:

• Citronella oil
• Peppermint oil
• And Tea Tree Oil
• Lemon oil
• Eucalyptus oil

Citronella Oil

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Citronella oil is often used in candles and pest control products to repel pests like fleas, mosquitoes, flies and gnats, but it also works well to repel mice and other rodents. Mice can’t stand the strong smell of citronella and will often avoid it at all costs.

You can use citronella in an oil spray mixed with water or saturated cotton balls and leave them around entry points of your home as a mouse repellent, which we will go over in more detail below.

Peppermint Oil

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Not only does peppermint oil smell great, it has an incredibly long list of uses and benefits. It can help ease stomach upset, digestive issues, cure headaches, and even revitalize skin, hair and nails.

But did you know peppermint oil is also an incredible mouse repellent? It works similarly to citronella oil in that it repels mice and other pests with its overwhelming smell.

Tea Tree Oil

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Many people use tea tree oil as an antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory product, which means you may already have it in your medicine cabinet.

If so, you’re in luck because tea tree oil also works as an effective mouse repellent.  It can also help repel other pests like rats, fleas, mosquitoes, bed bugs, gnats, spiders and roaches. Like peppermint oil and citronella oil, tea tree oil also smells great and is safe to use in homes with people and pets.

Let’s go over some recipes and DIY methods you can use to make your own mouse repellent with essential oils below.

Essential Oil Mouse Repellent Spray 

Ingredients: 

• Two tsp of essential oil (of your choice)
• One cup of water
• Three drops of dishwasher detergent (optional)
• One spray bottle

Directions:

Combine the above ingredients into a spray bottle and then add in the detergent if you wish. The detergent is an optional ingredient, and while it does help the solution to mix it can also make it toxic to use around children and pets, so keep this in mind.

Once mixed, spray the solution around entry and exit points, in basements, behind cabinets, below kitchen sinks, around appliances, and anywhere else you want to repel mice. Repeat this process every two to three days.

Essential Oil Mouse Repellent Cotton Balls

Saturating cotton balls in the essential oil of your choice is a great way to help your home smell fresh while also repelling mice and many other pests. Simply saturate as many cotton balls as you wish and place them around your home where you hope to repel mice.

We suggest placing these cotton balls at entry and exit points including windows and doors, in basements, crawl spaces, attics, closets, beneath kitchen cabinets, appliances and underneath sinks.

However, be aware that dogs can be irritated by the strong smell of essential oils, so if you have pets in the home be careful of where you place these saturated cotton balls.

Replace the cotton balls every two days as needed to keep mice, rodents and insects at bay.

Vinegar and Essential Oil Natural Cleaning Spray

Cleaning is key when it comes to mouse repellent, and you can better increase your chances of avoiding mice by making your own natural cleaning solution using vinegar and essential oil.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of white vinegar
• 1/2 cups of water
• 10 to 20 drops of the essential oil of your choice
• 1 spray bottle

Directions:

Mix the above solution into a spray bottle and spray down surfaces, countertops, cabinets, pantries, and more. White vinegar is a natural cleaning solution while the essential oil additive will help repel mice and other pests like ants, roaches, spiders, gnats and even fruit flies.

Other Mouse Repellent Home Remedies

Mothballs can help repel mice, though they should be used with caution due to their chemical ingredients.

Essential oils are effective, but not everyone has them on hand. Furthermore, essential oils can be expensive and you may not want to use your oils as mouse repellent.

Luckily, there are plenty of other very inexpensive and popular household ingredients that make great mouse repellent on their own.

Mothballs

Mothballs were originally designed to keep moths and larvae from infesting and eating through stored fabrics, but many people find mothballs to be useful in repelling a number of other pests as well.

Mothballs are a combination of insecticidal chemicals and deodorants, giving them an overwhelming scent. However, while mothballs are an effective mouse repellent, the active ingredient in mothballs is a chemical called naphthalene, which is toxic to both people and pets.

When using mothballs, do so carefully. Place them in areas that are out of reach of children and pets to help prevent mice and keep track of how many you put out and where you have placed them.

Dryer Sheets

Most households use dryer sheets to help their laundry smell and feel more fresh, but dryer sheets are also a powerful mouse repellent and insect repellent. Remember, mice are sensitive to certain smells, and the strong scent of dryer sheets can irritate and repel them.

Dryer sheets can also help repel rats, bats, roaches, and bed bugs.

Cayenne Pepper or Crushed Red Pepper

Hot spices like cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper can cause irritation to rodents if it gets in their nose or eyes, and since mice have a sensitive and heightened sense of smell, it’s no surprise that they’ll avoid getting close to anything sprinkled with one of these spices.

To use cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper as a mouse repellent, simply sprinkle the spice of your choice along entry and exit points, in attics, crawl spaces, beneath appliances, and anywhere else you wish to keep rodents at bay.

Irish Spring Soap

Many people use Irish Spring Soap not only to keep themselves squeaky clean, but also to repel pests like mice, rats, deer and rabbits.

Irish spring soap works as a natural mouse repellent due to its overwhelming smell. You can use it the same way you would use saturated cotton balls, mothballs, or dryer sheets to repel mice and keep them from entering your home by placing the soap in areas you have noticed or fear rodent activity.

Used Kitty Litter (Or Even A Cat!)

Like most pests, mice won’t go near an area where they sense predators. Cats are natural predators of mice and other rodents, so simply adopting a cat or kitten can drastically help reduce the mice in and around your home.

If you prefer not to become the proud new parent of a feline, you can always borrow used kitty litter from a friend or acquaintance who owns a cat. Place used kitty litter in open bags around your home at all entry and exit points and around any potential vulnerabilities, cracks or crevices in your siding. Doing so should help you prevent and repel mice quite effectively.

Steel Wool

Steel wool is not necessarily a mouse repellent but it can help keep mice from getting into your home. If you have recently worked to get rid of mice in your home but are looking for quick and effective ways to plug up holes or potential entry points made by these rodents, steel wool works like a charm.

This is a safe, natural, and inexpensive way to plug holes and prevent mice, bats, squirrels and other pests from getting into your home to nest.

How To Use Mouse Repellent Properly

When using mouse repellent, consider your region, the severity of past infestations, and your lifestyle. 

While the above mouse repellent products and remedies do come highly recommended, it’s important to note that not all of them may work on their own and some may be better received if they are used in conjunction with other methods.

We should also note that using a mouse repellent inside your home should be done with caution and plenty of research, especially if there are children or pets in the home.

Remember, even some home remedies and natural mouse repellent products can be harmful in the right dosage, so it’s wise to keep any type of pest control or mouse repellent stored safely.

We also recommend using mouse repellent products and home remedies all year round. While mice can be considered seasonal pests, it’s possible to have a mouse infestation at any time during the year if the conditions are right.

Last, we suggest you use mouse repellent along with other preventative and pest control measures, which we will talk about in more detail below.

Other Expert Tips On Preventing Mice In Your Home

Avoid letting dirty dishes pile up in the sink as the smell of leftover food can lead to rodent infestations.

Like all pests, mice are attracted to homes that provide them with an ideal amount of food, water and shelter. They are opportunistic feeders and thrive in homes with lots of clutter, left out food, and vulnerabilities in the structure which they can easily gnaw or chew to make holes and nests.

Along with using a good mouse repellent you trust, we also suggest following through with other pest prevention tips all year long to ensure your home is safe from rodents.

Some of the best preventative measures to help repel mice and other pests include:

Keeping Up With Routine Home Maintenance and Repairs

You can prevent mice from getting into your home by simply ensuring your house is taken care of. Keep up on exterior and interior repairs and maintenance, including making sure your foundation is sound, your siding is in good condition, and that there are no holes, cracks or crevices along the perimeter of your home where rodents or other pests could gain entry.

We also suggest making sure screens are properly fitted to windows and that you repair ripped screens and gaps in doors. Caulk and seal potential entry points in basements and crawl spaces, and repair water damage or leaks that could deteriorate the overall structure of your home.

Properly Store All Foods

Mice have extremely heightened senses, especially when it comes to smell. Reduce your chances of dealing with a rodent infestation by storing foods properly. Make sure pantry foods are stored in airtight containers made of thick plastic or glass and that perishable foods are put in the refrigerator or thrown out when no longer in use.

We also suggest storing pet food and bird seed in air tight containers in your pantry or garage, and avoid letting fruit get overly ripe on countertops in fruit bowls.

Avoid Leaving Dirty Dishes Out 

Dirty dishes can attract not only mice and rats, but also roaches, ants and other hungry pests. We recommend either soaking dirty dishes under soapy water overnight or rinsing them off and placing them directly in the dishwasher after meals.

Keep Your Home Vacuumed or Swept 

Sweeping, vacuuming, and using a good surface cleaner spray can help reduce your chances of a rodent infestation by ensuring you are getting any potential crumbs or food sources that may attract them.

Once you are done vacuuming and sweeping, dump vacuum bags or debris in outside garbage bins.

Invest In Sealed Garbage Bins

And speaking of garbage bins, we suggest investing in garbage bins with tight lids. This can help reduce the smell of leftover foods and reduce your chances of dealing with pests like mice, rats, raccoons, possums, and more.

Keep Foliage At Least Three Feet From Your Home’s Perimeter 

Last, we suggest keeping trees, bushes, and other foliage at least three feet away from the perimeter of your home. This will reduce hiding places for mice and expose any potential entry points you may otherwise miss during routine home inspections.

And remember, while mice can be problematic and even dangerous for your health and the health of your loved ones, so long as you follow through with proper mouse repellent remedies and preventative measures, you should be able to keep your home rodent free.

We hope this has been a helpful guide on the best mouse repellent. Now it’s your turn to let us know your thoughts. Leave us your opinion on the mouse repellent products and home remedies listed above and let us know which ones were your favorite in the comment section below.