Cinnamon
Peppermint Oil
Cayenne Pepper
Epsom Salt
Mothballs
Eucalyptus Oil
Chili Oil
Clove Oil
Lavender
Bergamot
Cedarwood Oil

Cinnamon

Rodents hate spicy smells, including the smell of cinnamon. You can use any ground cinnamon you have in your pantry and sprinkle it around areas where you’ve seen or suspect mice.

Vinegar

White vinegar is a common household pest deterrent for mice and other critters due to its strong, acidic smell. Simply use vinegar to clean around your kitchen and other areas where you’ve seen mice. To make the vinegar’s effects last longer, leave cotton balls soaked in vinegar around your home to repel mice.

Peppermint Oil

“The strong menthol aroma of peppermint oil makes mice particularly uncomfortable,” Liakopoulos says.

Ammonia

The strong scent of ammonia is unappealing to many creatures (including humans), but research is unclear if it’s fully effective in repelling mice. High ammonia concentrations are also toxic, so use this one with caution.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper is another spicy smell that rodents can’t stand. Similar to cinnamon, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper around entry points.

Epsom Salt

Epsom salt has a bitter scent and can be deterring to mice. Sprinkle the salt around the perimeter of your home, especially at entry points.

Mothballs

Mothballs are another effective mouse prevention method due to their strong smell, but Liakopoulos cautions against using mothballs if you have pets or children.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil works similarly to peppermint oil in repelling mice. Brett Bennett, director of operations of PURCOR Pest Solutions, recommends dabbing a small amount in areas where you’ve noticed mouse activity.

Chili Oil

Like other spices, chili oil can be used to deter mice. Simply place cotton balls soaked in chili oil around entry points to keep the mice out.

Clove Oil

Similar to cinnamon, the strong, spicy smell of cloves is unappealing to mice.

Garlic

The strong smell of garlic is also unappealing to mice. You can place garlic cloves near entry points or sprinkle garlic powder in those areas to keep the mice away.

Lavender

While lavender smells lovely and is a calming scent for humans, mice think otherwise. To use lavender oil in repelling mice, soak cotton balls or run a diffuser throughout your home.

Onions

The same scent compound in garlic (organic sulfur) is also in onions, making them another mouse deterrent.

Bergamot

Bergamot is another essential oil that mice hate. You can soak cotton balls in the oil and place them around your home, or run a diffuser in your home with a water-diluted solution of the oil.