Mice can be a nuisance in and around the home, causing damage to property and spreading disease. While there are many ways to get rid of mice, one of the most effective is to use plants that repel them.
This article will examine the 10 best plants that repel mice away from your house. If you’re looking for a natural way to keep mice away, consider keeping some of these mouse-repelling plants in your garden or around your home.
1. Amaryllis
The amaryllis plant is an effective repellent against mice because its leaves and flowers give off a strong scent that mice don’t like. Amaryllis plants can be grown in the garden or pots on the porch or patio and are easy to care for, making them a good choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
2. Bay Leaves
Mice are deterred by the scent of bay leaves, as the oil in the leaves is poisonous to them. You can place bay leaves in areas where you see mouse activity or make a homemade mouse repellent by simmering a handful of bay leaves in water for about 10 minutes. You can spray the resulting infusion around the perimeter of your home to keep mice out.
3. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, a compound known as an effective mouse deterrent. You can make a spray with cayenne pepper and water or sprinkle flakes around areas where mice are a problem.
4. Cinnamon
The smell of cinnamon repels mice because it contains cinnamaldehyde, which is a compound that is poisonous to them. The scent of cinnamon is also unpleasant to them, so they will avoid areas where it is present. You can sprinkle dried and ground cinnamon wherever the mice in your home like to stay.
5. Cloves
Eugenol, a compound found in cloves, is a natural insecticide and repellent. Eugenol can also be effective in repelling other pests like mice. To use cloves as a repellent, place whole cloves in areas where mice are known to frequent. You can also make a mouse-repelling spray by mixing water, clove oil, and vinegar.
6. Lavender
Lavender contains linalool and linalyl acetate, two compounds that give it its distinct smell. These same compounds make lavender effective at repelling mice. You can place lavender around your home in sachets, or even better, grow some near entry points to help keep the little critters away.
7. Lemongrass
Lemongrass repels mice because of its robust citrus scent due to the compound citronellol. Many plants that repel pests contain this essential oil, including lemon balm, geranium, and lavender. Lemongrass is a perennial plant that can be grown in pots or in the garden and is easy to maintain and propagate.
8. Peppermint
Peppermint contains menthol, a compound with a strong minty smell that is unpleasant to mice. Because peppermint can be invasive, meaning it will spread quickly and take over an area, it is best to plant it in a pot or container. You can also make a deterrent spray with peppermint essential oil, water, and a bit of dish soap. The plant is easy to care for and has many other benefits, such as deterring ants, spiders, and cockroaches.
9. Rosemary
Rosemary repels mice because it contains camphor and pinene, two compounds that are toxic to them. These substances also give the plant a strong, pungent odor that mice find offensive. You can grow rosemary in your garden or scatter dried rosemary around areas where you’ve seen mouse activity. You can also place dried sprigs in sachets to help keep mice away from your closet or storage areas.
10. Sage
Both green and white sage varieties are effective at repelling mice. The plants contain thujone, compounds in the essential oil that create a powerful aroma. This scent is unpleasant to mice and will deter them from entering an area where sage is present. You can grow sage in your garden or place dried sage leaves around areas where mice are likely to enter your home.
Final Thoughts
Mice can be a nuisance, but with the help of these plants that repel mice, you can keep them at bay. Not only do these plants repel mice, but they also provide aesthetic value to your outdoor spaces. Consider planting some of these around your home to help keep mice away.