The Simple Cotton Ball Trick That May Help Keep Mice Away From Your Home

Many people love to hunker down in a warm house when the temperatures turn cold. That doesn't mean you want to cuddle up with a bunch of mice, though. These annoying pests will sneak into your home during the cooler months in search of nourishment and warm shelter. As cute as they may be, you don't want them in your house. Not only can mice spread disease and contaminate food, but they're also capable of causing damage around your house. If you find chewed items, hear scurrying, or spot tiny droppings, you might be dealing with a rodent problem. Fortunately, there's an easy trick to help keep mice at bay this season. All you need are some cotton balls and clove essential oil.

Instead of using chemicals, clove oil can naturally deter mice from taking up residence in your home. Mice have powerful sniffing abilities, and they're turned off by various odors, including clove. Since they can't stand the smell of its eugenol compound, it quickly makes a residence less inviting to them. As for the cotton balls? They're a handy tool for dispersing the oil to different areas of the house. While some people poke cloves into displayed fruit to deter mice, clove essential oil is a more concentrated alternative to help avoid a mouse infestation.

Start this mouse-deterring solution by adding clove oil to some cotton balls. Then, go around and place them in areas that the mice might try to access. Set the cotton balls in cabinets, drawers, the garage, or any spots you've witnessed activity or believe they can enter your home from. The strong scent should discourage the mice from sticking around. It's a natural trick that many pest experts recommend trying out, but it has a few downsides, too. 

Essential oil won't last for a very long time on the cotton balls, so you'll have to keep reapplying it or replacing them. Another issue is that there are many essential oils that are toxic to pets, and clove is on the list. You would have to be very careful to make sure your cat or dog doesn't have contact with the cotton balls. Also, it might not work with a large infestation. The good news, though, is that the technique is simple and can be combined with other courses of action.

To prevent mice from getting into your home in the first place, be sure to seal entry points like holes and cracks. Also, clean up your property, eliminate their food sources, and maintain a tidy house. The goal is to make it as unwelcoming to mice as possible. Keep in mind that there's even a lawn care mistake that can attract mice to your yard. So, you will also want to make sure your yard isn't a haven for them, either. If you end up with too big an issue, calling a professional is usually the best option. However, being proactive and trying to deter mice naturally using clove oil could make a difference.