Mice pose many risks when they enter our house, from property damage to health issues. While normal pest controls can be productive, they are costly and dangerous to human health.

Know how you get rid of these pests from your house using the readily available things in your home, which means you won’t have to spend anything extra to remove them from your home.

Take control of your home’s well-being using simple and accessible remedies prioritizing your health and pocket.

1. Why Are There So Many Mice in Many Homes?

Have you ever felt that you are not the only one living in your house? Do you think the constant presence of someone else eating away your food or biting your wires? Someone smaller in size but with a greater appetite.

Uncover the reason behind the frequent mouse visits as we discuss the factors that make our homes an inviting and comfortable haven for these tiny but troublesome guests.

1.1. Reproduction

Under optimal conditions, a female house mouse can have 5 -10 litters per year. Knowing how a small creature like a mouse can reproduce at such a rate is fascinating. At the same time, other animals, like dogs, get pregnant only twice a year.

The mouse also starts giving birth at a very young age, i.e., when they are 4-7 weeks old. Its litter size can range from 6 to 8 rodents or pups.

So, if you have a female mouse in your house, you can expect a bunch of small mice lurking around for food.

1.2. Unsealed Holes

If your house has gaps and tiny holes that are not sealed properly, you can have this mouse problem. You can find such holes when you insert wires or pipes into your house.

Also, a mouse can enter through small gaps under your garage doors or sewer lines. Such possible entry points attract mice naturally.

Unsealed gaps and tiny openings unintentionally invite mouse intrusions, creating potential entry points.

1.3. Food Left Open

When you keep food for dogs or cats to eat, you unknowingly invite mice to have pet food, as the mouse is known to eat both plant and animal-based foods.

So placing such food containers for prolonged and uneaten can lead mice to your house. That’s because they would know the house would have more food and shelter.

If you don’t keep your food in an airtight container, then it is more prone to be attacked by mice.

1.4. Poor Sanitation

When you don’t keep your house clean, it increases the chances of mice entering it. If your garbage has fish or chicken bones, or if there are bits of food in your house that are not appropriately thrown. Then there are high chances of a mouse attack.

An environment with proper hygiene and sanitation can reduce the risk of visitation from mice. Waste and leftovers should be properly disposed of with regular emptying of the trash.

1.5. Unkept Garden

If you own a garden, then there are chances for mice to enter your house from there. Certain factors attract them to it, like:

• They are placing feeders on the ground for your pets, as rats constantly run to find a reliable food source.
• Suppose you grow crops and have small holes in your garden gate. Then, it is an open invitation for rodents to devour them.
• If you have overgrown grass and unkept furniture, which is most likely to become their home,

2. Home Remedies To Get Rid of Mouse

Now, after understanding the ‘why,’ let us look at the ‘how’ aspect of this problem, so you don’t need to buy mouse traps or get pest control to remove them. You can use the things in your house to eliminate mice attacks and infestations.

We can now learn some effective home remedies, utilizing available items within your household to thwart mouse invasions effectively.

2.1. Peppermint Oil

A mouse can enter your house from tiny holes, some of which you won’t know about. So, to keep them away from such holes, peppermint oils can be a short-term remedy.

First, you need to have a small bowl filled with peppermint oils. Then, toss small cotton balls and let them soak in the oil thoroughly.

After that, you can place these cotton balls on minor entry points. You can even put it inside cupboards, where food is kept.

2.1.1. Is It Effective?

Peppermint oil has been known as a chemical-free oil for centuries, commonly used to treat headaches and muscle aches.

A mouse has a sensory system that is highly sensitive compared to humans or any other animals. That’s why it is difficult for them to withstand any scent in the room.

Also, rats particularly hate the scent of peppermint oil because it has a strong aroma and is fresh. Another plus point is that its scent stays for days, so you may expect any mice running your house anytime soon.

2.2. Ammonia

You can also use ammonia to replete the mouse. But it needs to be used very carefully as it is known to cause a burning sensation in the eyes and nose if not appropriately handled. It has a strong scent. Commonly, ammonia is used to clean kitchen floors, but you can use it to clean mouse droppings.

Rats perceive the smell of ammonia as their predator’s urine. So they will most likely leave your house because they won’t feel safe there. Therefore, you should use Peppermint oil at places where you spend most of your time. At the same time, ammonia should be used in areas where you spend less time.

Ensure your child doesn’t come in contact with surfaces cleaned with ammonia, as it can severely affect them.

2.3. Homemade Repellent

You can use soap and tobacco sauce to create a homemade repellent. You can spray it on the floor where you think the mouse visits the most.

Leave it there for a good period. The mouse will come, smell the scent of the house and leave it.

You only need things already available in your home to make this repellent. It would be best to have half a cup of soap detergent, one tablespoon of tobacco sauce, and water. Then, to spray this mixture, use a spray bottle

2.4. Kitty Litter

Suppose you are aware of the rivalry between Tom and Jerry. Then, you must know that a cat and a mouse are enemies right from birth. One is the predator, and the other is the prey. Both try their best to beat each other in survival.

So, you can say that ammonia is a good alternative for kitty litter. Both give the rat the hint of a predator’s presence.

You don’t need to spray it on the floor like ammonia. Just sprinkle a little cat urine around the places where the rats are more likely to come. Rats, being the prey, won’t risk producing or even staying at a place where cats live. Therefore, they would naturally leave the house.

2.5. House Maintenance

Keeping your house maintained is one of the critical factors. Sealing any cracks or holes in the house would be best, as they can be their main entry points. Then, fix broken windows and doors because the smallest of the minor gaps are enough for a rat to go through. You can even use steel wool to block such openings.

Such entry points invite rats and other insects like ants, cockroaches, beetles, and wild insects into your house. You can even use steel wool to block such openings to prevent insects or rodents from entering.

You can use sparkling paste to fix the cracks or holes in your walls. Just apply it with a knife along with putty. Filling it out now will be much better than being sorry later. Such holes can pose a health risk as well as a cause for weak structural integrity.

3. Diseases Spread by Rodents?

3.1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

It is a rare disease caused by too much exposure to rat droppings that carry this virus. It begins with flu-like symptoms and rapidly progresses to a severe infectious disease.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is most commonly carried by deer mice found in North America.

Its early symptoms include cough, body aches, headache, fatigue, and abdominal pain.

3.2. Leptospirosis

It is caused by a bacteria commonly carried by wild animals, including rats. Sometimes, it won’t have any symptoms at all; still, infected people become severely ill.

In other cases, the person infected will have a high fever, chills, red eyes, abdominal pain, and rash.

That person will recover from the symptoms for some time. But then again fell ill with severe symptoms. It can even lead to kidney or even liver failure.

3.3. Plague

It is a severe disease caused by a germ known as Yersinia pestis. Dogs can even carry them. Such infected animals have these germs and pass them on to humans.

Centuries ago, the Black Plague was spread very widely. The Black Death is considered the most fatal pandemic recorded in Europe. It is said to have caused the death of 100-200 million people there. One of the prime reasons for its fatality was its genetic evolution that let it take a second form.

It traveled far through rats with fleas who came on boats and inside travelers’ clothes. It spreads through bites by infected rats, direct contact with them, and even inhaling the respiratory droplets through the air.

4. To Summarize

The battle against mice and other rodent infestations in our homes is multifaceted, requiring a combination of preventive measures and natural remedies.

By understanding the reasons behind invasions, such as rapid reproduction, unsealed entry points, accessible food sources, poor sanitation, and unkempt gardens, we can take proactive steps to deter these unwelcome guests.

Natural deterrents play a crucial role in keeping our homes rodent-free. It is essential to address these issues promptly to prevent property damage and protect our health from diseases caused by rodents.

5. FAQs

5.1. What smells will keep mice away?

You would have a question about the smells that can keep mice away from my house. Then, let’s address that question and give you a proper answer.

Peppermint oil and ammonia can produce such smells.

Peppermint oil is a standard oil used in households for massages. If you have a muscle or headache, peppermint oil is the best for you. It would be best if you placed it in rooms you frequently visit. For example, the living room or bedroom

Ammonia, on the other hand, can be a dangerous chemical if you don’t handle it properly. It is commonly used to clean kitchen floors. You can use it at places where you don’t visit often. For example, the storeroom

5.2. What is the fastest way to get rid of mice in your house?

Now, if you are fed up with the mouse and want to even score with them, then there are some ways that you can use to deal with them. Some non-lethal ways include keeping a mouse trap.

Many new modifications have been made to conventional mouse traps. Earlier, we could have placed a slice of cheese inside the trap and attracted the mouse. But as time passed, the mouse also became aware of such threats. So, to catch them quickly, new mouse traps have been introduced.

There are glue traps, which have a sticky pad. You must place a food item on it when the mouse tries to get it. The mouse gets caught in the glue. Then you can release it at a safe distance from your house.

For lethal ways, plenty of traps use shock to kill the mice instantly.

5.3. Is there any way to block the entry points?

You can use cotton dipped in peppermint oil or ammonia as smoke bombs in the holes in your walls. It would fill the entire hole with its scent.

The mouse won’t be able to bear it. While doing all this, try to fix those cracks in your house. As it not only lets rats but many more insects of the wild.

You can do that by using spackling paste and putty to fill up those holes. If these holes are not filled, there are chances for construction debris to fall out. It can even let moisture enter your house, which can lead to the growth of mold. Such molds are known to pose health hazards.

Not to mention, the structural strength of your house can be at risk, too. So if you don’t fix those small or big cracks or holes now, you will have to pay large bills later.

Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Michael98