17 Smells That Will Keep Mice Away Naturally

Easy, effective, natural remedies that repel mice

Co-authored by Elmer Bensinger and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: February 5, 2025 Fact Checked

Mice. They’re certainly tricky critters! When you think you’ve gotten rid of them, they find a way to come back. So, how can you naturally keep mice out of your home? In this article, we’ve outlined all the scents mice hate, and we’ll explain how to use each one to deter them. With these natural repellents, you can keep your home, garage, and yard mice-free.

Top Smells That Repel Mice

Mothballs
Peppermint oil
Citrus
Chili powder
Cinnamon

1

Mothballs

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Likely the best natural repellent for mice, mothballs create a stench rodents can’t stand. The odor in mothballs comes from the chemical naphthalene, which can deter rodents and insects.^{[1]
X
Research source} Mothballs come in all shapes and sizes, making them perfect to fit in any place a mouse has been.
- How to use: Place mothballs in mice entry points and spaces where mice might be (closets, cabinets, etc.).
- Products: There are mothballs designed for mice available for purchase.
- Warning: While mothballs don’t affect everyone, they can cause headaches and nausea if their odor is inhaled for long periods of time. They are also toxic to pets.^{[2]
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2

Peppermint oil

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Peppermint is a strong, fragrant smell that mice can’t stand. The menthol in peppermint oil hinders a mouse’s senses. Mice don’t have the best eyesight and rely heavily on their sense of smell, and the powerful fragrance of peppermint overpowers their senses.^{[3]
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- How to use: Put a few drops of peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them in areas around your home where mice like to hide. You can also spray the oil directly on hard surfaces.^{[4]
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- Products: Peppermint oil rodent spray can also be found at most retailers.
- Alternatives: Mint toothpaste and peppermint tea bags can also be used in a pinch if you don’t have peppermint oil on hand.^{[5]
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- Warning: Peppermint is toxic to dogs and cats, so keep it out of reach from pets.^{[6]
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3

Citrus oils

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Mice are incredibly sensitive to strong odors, making citrus a go-to natural repellent. Limonene, the scent found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits, overwhelms a mouse’s senses and drives them away.^{[7]
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Go to source} Opt to use lemon, orange, and grapefruit oils in your home to deter mice.
- How to use: Place a few drops of your chosen citrus oil in a spray bottle full of water. Then, spray surfaces where mice have been. Alternatively, you can also dab citrus oil on cotton balls or leave citrus peels out.^{[8]
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- Warning: Orange and other citrus oils can be toxic to dogs and cats.^{[9]
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4

Chili powder

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If a mouse sniffs chili powder, their nose will burn. This natural repellent is perfect for when you know where a mouse lives or has been wandering. They hate the smell and taste of this pantry staple, thanks to the active ingredient capsaicin, which causes irritation when inhaled.^{[10]
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- How to use: Sprinkle some chili powder in areas where the mouse has been, like behind furniture or in cabinets.
- Alternatives: You can also use chili oil and cayenne pepper to repel mice.

5

Cinnamon

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A mouse’s sensitive nose can’t tolerate cinnamon's strong, warming smell—when inhaled, its little nose and eyes will burn. This makes cinnamon an excellent natural rodent repellent that can get rid of mice fast.^{[11]
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- How to use: Sprinkle cinnamon on floorboards and in the corner of cabinets or closets. You can also place cinnamon sticks around your home where mice are suspected.

6

Onions

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Like humans, mice’s eyes will start to water at the stench of a strong onion. When an onion is present, a mouse certainly won’t be! This is all thanks to the volatile sulfurous compounds released when a fresh onion is cut.^{[12]
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- How to use: Place pieces of freshly chopped onion near mouse droppings, hang onion slices around your home, or rub onion peels on surfaces mice have been on.
- Warning: Onions are toxic to dogs and cats, so keep them away from your furry friends.^{[13]
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7

Garlic

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Garlic contains allicin, a natural oil that helps repel rodents. Fresh and powdered garlic are perfect for deterring mice, so long as you don’t mind the smell.^{[14]
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- How to use: Sprinkle garlic powder near droppings and surfaces where mice have been. You can also place crushed garlic in a glass jar and set it near mice entry points.
- Warning: Garlic is toxic to dogs and cats, so avoid using it if you have pets.^{[15]
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  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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8

Lavender

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Lavender is a natural rodent repellent, as mice hate the smell of this fragrant flower. While lavender can help you sleep and feel more relaxed, it can upset mice and overwhelm their senses.^{[16]
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- How to use: Saturate a cotton ball with lavender oil and place it near the entry points of mice.^{[17]
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  Research source} You can also plant lavender in your garden or around your home, or you can place dried lavender in small spaces.
- Products: Lavender sachets and mothballs are also available for purchase to use against rodents.

9

Eucalyptus oil

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The pungent herbal smell of eucalyptus can keep rodents away and prevent them from returning. This natural repellent may deter mice, but it can also help uplift your space with its fragrance.^{[18]
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- How to use: Saturate cotton balls with eucalyptus oil and place them around drains, skirting boards, and other places mice have been.
- Warning: Eucalyptus is toxic for cats and dogs, so keep out of reach of your pets.^{[19]
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  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
  
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10

Cedarwood oil

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The strong, woody smell of cedar is known to naturally repel mice and other rodents. The odor pushes mice away, deterring them from settling in your home.^{[20]
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- How to use: Dilute 5 to 10 drops of cedarwood oil in a spray bottle full of water. Then, spray the solution on mice entry points. You can also soak cotton balls in the oil.
- Alternatives: Cedarwood chips and cedar blocks are other great methods.

11

Bergamot oil

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Strong-smelling plants like bergamot are known for deterring rodents, especially mice. This fragrant plant produces a natural oil mice hate. One study even found that bergamot successfully repelled larger rodents, such as rats.^{[21]
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- How to use: Soak cotton balls in bergamot oil and place where mice or droppings have been spotted.

12

Clove oil

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Clove oil has a poignant scent that can deter mice. Along with repelling mice, the strong scent may also keep them from coming back.^{[22]
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- How to use: Soak cotton balls in clove oil and leave them in areas where mice are or have been present. Alternatively, you can also diffuse clove oil in the air.

13

Citronella

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While commonly used to repel mosquitos, citronella can also be used to keep mice away. Not only has it been proven to irritate a mouse’s nasal passage, but it can also decrease their appetite.^{[23]
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- How to use: Mix equal parts citronella oil and water, and spray the solution in areas where you’ve seen or suspected mouse activity. You can also plant citronella grass or burn citronella candles.

14

Vinegar

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If you’ve dealt with mice before, you will likely have mice again. Mice follow other mice, following their scent to find safety. Thankfully, you can cover up and remove their pheromones or scent with vinegar. Plus, they also hate the taste.^{[24]
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- How to use: Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution in areas where you keep finding mice.^{[25]
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15

Ammonia

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Ammonia deters mice because it has a similar odor to predator urine. The chemical is also used in various commercial mouse repellents because it actively repels and keeps rodents from returning.^{[26]
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Research source} Even so, it’s yet to be proven as a natural repellent when used alone.
- How to use: Soak cotton balls or rags in ammonia and place them in areas where there’s mouse activity.^{[27]
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- Warning: Ammonia is a strong chemical that should be used with caution. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

16

Epsom salt

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The bitter scent and overpowering taste of thick salt can prevent mice from returning. Because of this, Epsom salt is an excellent natural mouse repellent that’s easy to find and use.^{[28]
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- How to use: Sprinkle Epsom salt on the border or edges where you’ve seen mice. For instance, you may want to sprinkle salt on your trash can lid or in your pantry.
- Warning: Avoid using too much Epsom salt outside, as it could damage your lawn and soil.

17

Dryer sheets

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Dryer sheets are a quick way to deter mice for a short period of time. The strong scent of the dryer sheets can repel mice initially; however, it’s important to note that this isn’t a long-term solution, especially as the smell of the dryer sheets fades and the mice get used to it.^{[29]
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- How to use: Place dryer sheets in areas where mice have been present or roamed, such as behind bookshelves.

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Pineapple juice has been said to help deter mice; however, there’s no evidence suggesting it’s a successful mouse-repellent.

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If you’re dealing with a mouse infestation, call a pest control specialist for help.

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