Pest Control: Mice

A lot of our natural deterrent methods have been working, but this summer we have been graced by a mouse. Now I don't know about you, but I have an issue killing mice. They're cute...I just can't do it. Not to mention I do not want to find one in one of those old, dangerous traps. So I've been looking for methods that I can use to help drive them out & keep them away, although there are a few nuclear options if you must.

1. Put Away Your Food!
Sounds simple enough, but leaving any sort of food out with attracting mice. If you have a bowl of fruit or vegetables, consider moving them to the refrigerator. I personally keep a bowl for stale bread (heels, etc) which continues to dry out until I eventually urn it into bread crumbs. Metal and glass containers are best for anything that may be in an easily accessible location like the counter or pantry. Heavy-duty plastic is also an option, but determined mice can slowly work their way in.

This goes beyond food too. If you have a stash of blankets int eh basement, consider storing them in heavy-duty plastic tubs. Infrequently used blankets, towels, and clothing can be used as nesting material. Growing up, we lost a box of books to mice, because we stored the books in cardboard.

2. Close the Holes
Find where mic may be entering your home and seal up those spaces. Anything 1/4 inch or larger can be an entry point for a mouse. Mark the area, clean it, and seal it up. Make sure to check both inside & out. Common household items you can use are green scouring pads, copper scrubbers, steel wool, or as weird as it sounds human hair.

3. Vinegar
Mice don't like strong smells, and white vinegar is mighty strong. This is also safe (although maybe annoying) for your pets. Clean your house, and particularly your kitchen, with white vinegar. You an even "refresh" the area by spraying more where you suspect mice are visiting, nesting, or even getting in.

4. Dried Herbs & Essential Oils
There are also some pretty common, household spices that you can use to deter mice that will also be generally safe for your pets:

• Peppermint
• Cayenne (or tobasco!)
• Pepper
• Clove
• Citronella (essential oil)
• Eucalyptus (essential oil)

Just like vinegar, these pungent herbs & spices tend to bother mice and drive them away. You can make small sachets of the herbs using cheesecloth, or soak cotton balls in oil. I've also considered infusing my vinegar wash. If you choose to go the essential oil route, please double-check their safety.

5. Onions & Garlic
Another pungent deterrent. Be careful with onions & garlic as they are not safe for most pets. You also want to place them in an area where you can easily swap them out every few days, otherwise, you risk a rotting onion problem! And while that still may keep the mice away, you really don't want to deal with that stench.

6. Ammonia or Used Kitty Litter
So, I haven't tested this, but I've seen a TON of recommendations. Cats are a natural predator for mice, so having their used litter (urine) around helps keep mice away. You can also use snake litter. They know that scent and don't want to risk their lives. Ammonia tends to mimic the scent of many predator's urine, so even placing small cups or cotton soaked balls may also help (but keep anything with ammonia out of reach of pets & children!).

Natural predators are also helpful. Cats often can solve your problem in a matter of days by keeping mice away, or at least taking care of the catching/elimination part. Many dogs can also aid here, although they tend not to be as effective it seems. You can also try to attract barn owls to your property, or even get your hands on a few of their feathers to leave about.

7. Electronic Deterrents
There are ultrasonic buzzers/zappers that are supposed to deter mice. I've never used them, but have something similar for spiders that has definitely worked for me. I've seen some pretty good reviews. Even though these are ultrasonic, they aren't supposed to bother your typical pet like dogs or cats.

8. Humane Traps
You don't have to kill mice with those terrifying traps (serisouly... how do more people not lose fingers?!). I like this because the mouse doesn't die. However, make sure to release the mouse at least 1 mile away from your home, or they will just find their way back!

9. Nuclear Options
There are still more natural alternatives if killing mice is your only option. Instant potato flakes, much like corn starch for ants, will fill up a mouse's stomach and basically kill them as they expand. Plaster of Paris mixed with cocoa powder is another option, where the mouse is attracted to the cocoa but the plaster of paris makes them leave your house to seek water (and kills them). There are also electronic mouse traps, which are said to humanely kill the mouse by zapping them. These traps are closed, so while they are reusable, you also don't have to look inside & can just dispose of the whole thing (for $20-30).