1. Peppermint Oil Spray

Peppermint oil is a natural rodent deterrent due to its strong scent. Many cleaning sprays, air fresheners, and disinfectants contain peppermint oil as an ingredient. You can also create your own repellent by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to water and spraying it around entry points, kitchen counters, and baseboards. The intense aroma overwhelms a mouse’s sensitive nose, encouraging them to steer clear.

2. Bleach

Bleach is a powerful disinfectant that not only cleans but also repels mice. The strong chemical scent is overwhelming for rodents, making them less likely to enter treated areas. If you’re cleaning floors, countertops, or garbage bins with bleach, you’re creating an environment that’s unattractive to mice. Just be sure to use bleach safely and in well-ventilated areas.

3. Ammonia

Mice associate the smell of ammonia with the presence of predators, as it resembles the scent of urine from larger animals. Many household cleaners contain ammonia, making them an effective deterrent. Leaving a small bowl of ammonia near known entry points or wiping down surfaces with ammonia-based cleaners can help keep mice at bay. However, ammonia has strong fumes, so use it with caution.

4. Vinegar

White vinegar is a popular natural cleaning agent, and its pungent smell is unappealing to mice. Using vinegar to clean kitchen surfaces, floors, and pantry shelves not only disinfects but also discourages rodents from sticking around. Mixing vinegar with water and spraying it around potential entry points can enhance its effectiveness as a repellent.

5. Citrus-Scented Cleaners

Mice dislike the strong smell of citrus fruits like lemons and oranges. Many cleaning products, including sprays and detergents, use citrus-based ingredients for their fresh scent and antibacterial properties. Wiping down surfaces with lemon-scented disinfectants or leaving citrus peels in areas where mice are spotted can help deter them naturally.