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Mice in the house? Don’t panic just yet! Try this essential oil mouse repellent instead. It’s easy, quick, and works great at repelling mice from the get-go.

Adding peppermint oil to a glass bottle of mouse repellent.
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If only we lived in a world where mice didn’t crawl into our homes. Wouldn’t that be a blessing?  

But let’s get real. Mice may affect us at some point. And it’s essential to get on top of a mouse problem before it spirals out of control. 

Mice troubles tend to come with the territory of rural living and cold weather. They seek comfort, sustenance, and safety in the walls and floorboards of your living space. 

And now – some good news! Did you know there are fantastic essential oils to eliminate mice?

They work exceptionally well at repelling mice due to their strong scent, which causes sensitivity to a mouse’s nose. 

The result is mice stay a safe distance from your home – if you use essential oils regularly as a repellent. 

I’ll explain how to use a homemade mouse repellent, aka strong essential oil repellent, in this post. 

After all – we don’t want to harm mice if we can help it.

But doing something to move them onward and away from our homes is always a good idea. 

Essential oil mouse repellent

First, let’s talk about the natural mouse-repellent option. I know many want to expel and exterminate mice the quickest (and deadliest) way possible, but frankly, I think this way is just as effective.

I much prefer the idea of repelling mice. Because repelling means they won’t come back in a hurry, and it’s kinder to stress levels if you ask me.

Of course, there are different natural mouse repellents out there. Cats are useful if you choose a hunting breed and are one of the more realistic mouse control methods out there. 

I’ve overheard, too, that sonar-type repellents can be effective, but I haven’t any personal experience with these. 

Essential oils are my favorite method because they work, it’s simple, and they make the house smell lovely too.

A glass bottle with peppermint essential oil nearby.

DIY peppermint spray for mice

The essential oil which is by far the best at repelling mice is peppermint oil. It’s fantastic stuff! 

I’ll share how to use peppermint oil for mice in the next section, but I want to explain why this essential oil works so well against mice. 

Put simply, peppermint essential oil is highly potent with a strong scent. Even a few drops give off that intense menthol-like smell which makes your eyes shed tears.

I use peppermint essential oil in my bug and tick repellent and ant repellent recipes.

One sniff and the theory is – peppermint essential oil disrupts their nasal receptors, so they struggle to smell and locate food and water.

As a natural response, mice would retract their steps and head back the way they’ve come to escape the peppermint smell. 

How to use peppermint oil for mice

What you’ll end up with if you use this natural mice-repellent is a peppermint spray that you can spritz along your baseboards, around your basement, closets, and walls. 

Pretty much spray this solution anywhere mice can be found (look out for droppings for clues on their whereabouts.)

You’ll need a 4 oz glass spray bottle and a funnel that fits inside the spray bottleneck. 

Spraying peppermint oil spray to repel mice.

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how to make peppermint oil spray to repel mice

For this recipe, you will need

Instructions:

Add the peppermint essential oil to the spray bottle

Adding peppermint essential oil to a mice repellent spray.

Use the funnel to top off with equal parts (50/50) witch hazel and water

A funnel, glass bottle and peppermint oil.

Secure the lid and shake well.

Essential oil mouse repellent in a glass spray bottle.

How to use the Peppermint Spray for Mice

Mist along the baseboards, inside closets, around the border of the pantry, and dark corners in the basements.

Mice generally run along walls and not in wide open spaces of the rooms.

Check out the FAQ section below for tips on keeping mice out of the attic.

FAQs

How long does the scent last?

The peppermint spray will start to diminish after it’s applied but should be effective for around 24 hours. Much after that, and the smell will be too mild to work.

All you need to do is apply another spritz when you can’t smell it anymore. 

Read the following section where I mention cotton balls with peppermint oil!

Is the smell of peppermint strong enough to repel mice?

Yes, it is! The scent of peppermint can make areas unattractive and intolerable for mice. As a result, they will avoid the area.

You must spray, or place cotton balls in any area mice may be present to completely remove them from the premises.

Is there anything I can do for enclosed spaces that I can’t access (attics etc.)

Peppermint Spray

Yes! I spray this peppermint solution onto a cotton ball and throw them up into attic spaces or any area that’s tricky to access.  

The scent seems to last longer on a cotton ball than on things like floorboards and baseboards – on cotton balls, the scent lasts around two days, I find. 

Peppermint Cotton Balls

Additionally, you could add 3-4 drops of neat peppermint essential oil straight to a cotton ball to give some extraordinary repellent action!

I find cotton balls great as you don’t need to reapply the oil daily, and you can leave them up in those hard-to-reach places for as long as you need to. 

This method will stay effective for up to 5 days!

Note: Only use peppermint cotton balls in the attic or areas your pets can’t get to them.

Placing peppermint soaked cotton balls along the baseboards to get rid of mice.

What other smells do mice hate

If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to use peppermint oil to repel mice, here are some alternative smells you could try.

I have limited experience with these, but I have heard success stories from others, so there is no harm in trying. 

Is peppermint oil safe for use around pets

Pets can be sensitive to peppermint oil, so I advise not using it in the same area as the pet in question. 

Important! It can be dangerous if pets eat peppermint oil, so avoid this at all costs. 

Of course, if you have a severe mice infestation, it’s worth getting a professional to sort out the problem.

Key Takeaways

Pest control with essential oils is a safe and natural way to get rid of indoor mice.

With the right recipes and a few key ingredients, you can make your own effective mouse repellents from the comfort of your own home.

Monitor the area for any signs of activity after your initial treatment and repeat as necessary.

I hope you found this a helpful post and that it helps with any mice troubles you have in your home.

Feel free to ask me any questions or comment below. And if you enjoyed this post, I recommend reading one of these next.

4.50 from 6 votes

Essential Oil Mouse Repellent

Prep: 2 minutes
Active: 4 minutes
Total: 6 minutes
Yield: 4 ounces
Repel mice and other rodents naturally with this simple, yet effective essential oil mice repellent spray!

Equipment

  • 4-ounce glass spray bottle
  • Small funnel
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Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Add the peppermint to the spray bottle
  • Use the funnel to top off with witch hazel and water
  • Secure the lid and shake well.

Notes

This recipe will last between 4 and 6 months.
Store the spray in a cool, dark area.
For best results, I like to spray it along the baseboards, all around the basement, closets, and dark corners.
Pretty much spray this solution anywhere mice can be found (look out for droppings for clues on their whereabouts.)
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!
This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, I’m so glad you’re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

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4.50 from 6 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. Misty Russo says:

    Thanks!

  2. Carol says:

    I’m not sure where I found the recipe I use, but it’s peppermint essential oil in water. And it does seem to work. I’m going to try your recipe with the witch hazel since my bottle is about empty. I also use it to spray on the hanging hook I put my hummingbird feeder on to help repel ants.