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Unfortunately for homeowners, the kitchen is probably the single most popular area of your home when it comes to rodents and other wild animals.
Why? Easy, because the kitchen sees most spills and crumbs, and so, has the highest chances of attracting rodents. We also tend to keep a window open a lot, in the kitchen, to send out unwanted cooking smells, thus giving mice more chances to get in unencumbered.
So, what can you do about mice in the kitchen? Well, first off, if you are dealing with an active infestation, you’ll want to ask Critter Capture Jackson for help. While the ideas in this article are effective in keeping mice at bay, they are more indicated as a preventive measure, and not an actual approach to a mouse infestation.
Of course, there are other steps you may want to implement, to reduce the risks of a mouse infestation, such as stepping up your storage game, and cleaning regularly in the kitchen (Especially the cooking areas, like the counter, or the burners).
You may also use deterrents, which brings us to the topic of our article.
Can you Use Essential Oils to Repel Mice?
How does that work? Well, the idea here is that mice, like most other wild animals that are prone to infestations, have a very strong sense of smell, which can make them particularly susceptible to pungent odors in your kitchen. While some essential oils may be actively dangerous for rodents, many of them are just strongly scented, and unpleasant, and thus may keep rodents away.
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Which Essential Oils, Exactly, Should You Use?
Remember that the reason we’re using essential oils in the first place is their strong scent. So we need to look for oils with a particularly pungent odor, and here are the most popular ones.
1. Peppermint Oil
By far the most recommended essential oil for pest control is peppermint, because of its strong, slightly stinging scent. Not only that, but peppermint is actually a lovely smell for many, so it can also act as a home freshener.
The reason this works is that rodents find the smell of peppermint overwhelming. This tends to confuse them, and they generally steer clear of areas that smell highly minty.
2. Citronella Oil
Another popular essential oil for wildlife control is citronella, because of its pungent citrusy smell. because of the acidic nature of citronella smell, it’s stinging and unpleasant for rodents, and they tend to avoid it. Remember that rodents, like many other wild animals, rely heavily on their sense of smell to spot danger, or to pick up on food sources. Citronella, like the other oils on this list, messes with their ability to do that.
3. Lemon Oil
This works for largely the same reason why citronella does. Lemon oil tends to be slightly sourer than citronella but also delivers a fresh, strong odor to freshen up your home and keep it rodent-free.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is actually used in a lot of cold medicine since it does wonder for unblocking the sinuses. It’s precisely this potency that makes it unpleasant for rodents, so use that to your advantage.
Speaking of which…
How Should You Use Essential Oils to Keep Rodents Away?
Okay, so now that we’ve talked a bit about the best oils to keep rodents away, let’s see how you can use these to your advantage. Well, there are a number of ways, all varying in effectiveness. You can…
- Soak cotton balls in the oil, and place them in key areas (such as near windows, doors, or cooking areas). You’ll also want to leave them on the floor, particularly near cracks in the wall, or other holes that may serve as an entry point for the rodent.
- Mix it into a repelling spray. To achieve this, you’ll need distilled water and a spraying canister. Some people also recommend mixing in some dishwashing liquid, for extra potency, but whether or not you choose to do that is up to you. Spray the essential oil mixture on the same areas as above, or any areas of the home where you spot a mouse, or have reason to believe there is one.
Are These Deterrents Effective?
Well, it depends. While the pungent essential oil smell will keep rodents, and insects away, keep in mind that the above remedies only work for a limited time. You will need to replace the cotton balls regularly, and re-spray your home at regular intervals, to continue reaping the benefits of these essential oil repellents.
As such, essential oils can make an excellent repellent, and a way to freshen up the home, but only as long as you’re determined to use them consistently. If you find yourself overwhelmed by the situation, it’s best to call in a professional rodent removal team, to catch it before they have a chance to reproduce.
