Peppermint Oil and Mice | What’s the Truth and Myth

There are numerous methods to control mice such as using poison, traps, and glue boards. The three methods are the most popular among others because they can kill the animals effectively in most cases. However, they are considered as inhumane ways to kill mice. People, therefore, seek another way to get rid of the dangerous and annoying mice. One of the methods is to use peppermint oil or spray. This DIY method is regarded as an environmentally friendly way to discourage mice to enter a house.

However, there has been a debate about Peppermint Oil and Mice. Although the use of peppermint oil is getting popular, the effectiveness of peppermint oil to get rid of mice is still not proven yet. Some of the people think it can kill rats but the others think it can’t. Which one is true? It is important to know the correct information so can decide what method to use in controlling the number of mice in your home.

Everything About Peppermint Oil and Mice

The Myth

There is no specific peppermint oil for mice but it should be admitted that this type of oil has been commonly used worldwide. The effect of using the oil varies. Some people say it works while some other say it doesn’t. You may think that mice hate the strong smell of peppermint but it is actually just a myth. Just like people, these animals are unpredictable. Some of them perhaps don’t like the smell of the oil but others won’t even care.

So, if you hear that peppermint oil can actually kill mice, it is just a myth. However, it does not mean that you cannot use it. The oil still serves as a natural mouse repellent if there are just one or two mice running around the house. For more serious mouse invasion, peppermint oil won’t ever work effectively. Setting traps or ask for an exterminator’s help gives the much more effective result.

So, does peppermint oil repel mice? The answer depends. For a few mice running around the house, it may work to make them go away. But, for a greater invasion, the answer is no. Bear in mind that not all mice are disturbed with the smell of peppermint oil.

The Truth

In addition to knowing the peppermint oil myth, it is better to also know the truth. Maybe lots of people have told you to use peppermint oil to deal with mice infestation. Is it true that mice really can’t stand the pungent oil?

When it comes to talking about peppermint oil for mice, there will be two different views. Some people believe that oil can be used as a mouse repellent and deterrent in the first place while others doubt that. Those who think that the oil works to get rid of mice have their own reasons. First, the smell of peppermint can confuse the critters in a way that they disguise the trails mice leave behind. The smell makes them away since they like to stay in places that they can navigate easily.

Second, it is widely known that the peppermint smell or the menthol contained in the oil can injure the rats’ nasal cavity. For us, the scent might be relaxing but for mice it is irritating. That is why mice naturally avoid places where there is a strong peppermint smell.

There are some reasons why the pungent oil fails to work as mice deterrent for some people. The most common reason is the scent of the oil is not strong enough. If you wish to irritate mice with peppermint oil, the scent should be very strong. Products of peppermint oil that you find at stores vary. Even, the scent is a different one to another. Some products have high oil concentration while the others don’t.

The second reason for the failure is to place the oil in wrong places. Some people just randomly place the oil-soaked cotton balls or spray the oils in areas that do not attract mice. Before applying the oil, it is better to make an observation place. Mark the areas in the house where you spot mice frequently. If, for example, you place the peppermint oil on your desk while mice are frequently spotted on the wall behind your cupboard, you will likely to fail.

Diligence is another possible problem. For your information, the smell dissipates after 24 hours depending on the level of oil concentration. Some high concentrated oil can last for 48 hours. It means that you need to replenish the spray every day even sooner. Don’t just leave it after setting it out otherwise it won’t help. So, it is clear that knowing how to use peppermint oil for mice is very important if you want to be successful with the natural method.

Problems and Hassles to Use Peppermint Oil

If you plan to use peppermint oil to overcome mice problem, you should also try to understand the problems and hassles that may occur. These matters become important parts to consider related to peppermint oil and mice.

The first problem that confuses the users is the vague instructions to use the oil. For example, there is no clear information on how much the oil to use for a specific area. The absence of clear information is probably due to the fact that peppermint oil is not specifically intended for controlling mice.

In addition to problems in using the oil, some hassles may occur, too. For instance, you need to provide cotton balls and soak them in the pure peppermint oil. After that, you need to place it in some areas around the house. The hassles won’t stop there as you need to replace the cotton balls once to three times a week. It is because the smell usually wears off from the cotton balls in more or less two days.

Final Words

As now you know the myths and truths of Peppermint Oil and Mice, you should not be confused anymore in using the method. As long as you use the oil properly with only a few mice, there is a chance that it will work. However, for more serious mouse attack, you should try other effective methods like mouse trap or bait station.