We’ve been having some issues with mice in our farmhouse lately, and we’re looking for cost-effective solutions to deal with them. Buying expensive traps or hiring professional pest control isn’t really an option right now, so any low-cost ideas would be super helpful!
Some ideas we’ve thought about:
- Peppermint oil: Mice apparently hate the smell. We’re thinking about soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them around the house.
- Homemade traps: Simple bucket traps or DIY snap traps could work without spending a lot of money.
- Sealing entry points: We plan to check for gaps or holes and seal them using steel wool and caulking, both of which are cheap and effective.
- Keeping food sealed: We’ll make sure all food is stored in airtight containers to avoid attracting mice.
- Getting a cat: Some people say having a good mouser cat can make a big difference!
If anyone has other ideas that have worked for them — especially ones that don’t break the bank — we’d love to hear them! Thanks a bunch!
In addition, we have a more effective mouse repellent formula, but it will cost you a little more.
Herbal Mixture to Repel Mice (DIY Recipe)
Ingredients:
- 10 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 5 drops of lavender essential oil
- 5 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of witch hazel (optional, helps the scent last longer)
- Small spray bottle or cotton balls
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix the water and witch hazel together.
- Add all the essential oils into the mixture and stir gently.
- Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray around baseboards, doorways, corners, and places where mice may enter.
- Alternatively, you can soak cotton balls in the mixture and place them in cabinets, under sinks, behind furniture, and in the attic or basement.
- Refresh the cotton balls or re-spray areas once a week or whenever the scent fades.
Why it works:
- Peppermint and eucalyptus overwhelm mice’s strong sense of smell.
- Lavender and rosemary create an environment that feels “unsafe” for them, encouraging them to move elsewhere.