The Citrusy Essential Oil That'll Send Mice Running Away From Your Home

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Too many little squeaks making you scream "eeek!"? It's time to take back your home from the mice running wild. They may be tiny, but they can bring big problems, from chewed-up wires to a contaminated pantry. Plus, once you've got one, you can bet that more are on the way.

So how to say goodbye to the little pests? It used to be that you'd call in an exterminator to blast the place with tons of harsh chemicals. But recently, there's been a growing desire to seek out eco-friendly alternatives to toxic pesticides, and to find ways to get rid of mice humanely. One of our favorite methods is using essential oils with scents like bergamot. Mice can't stand the smell, and they'll stay away if they keep catching whiffs of it in your place.

There's another big bonus to using bergamot over other rodent repellents — it smells incredible. It's both citrusy and floral, with a complexity that's made it a popular addition to enhance perfumes, lotions, candles, and all kinds of other things that we love to smell fresh and zesty. A smell-good scent that'll both keep your home fresh and deter pesky mice? Consider us totally on board.

There are a few ways you can use bergamot to keep mice away. First, get your essential oil. You can find brands like Brooklyn Botany Bergamot Essential Oil on retailers like Amazon. Or check your local health food stores or pharmacies, which often stock the oils for jobs ranging from aromatherapy to cleaning your bathroom.

Next, figure out how you'll distribute the oil. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so you can dilute it in a spray bottle — use about 10 to 15 drops for every cup of water. You could also squeeze a couple of drops of the oil onto cotton balls or pads. Then, place the cotton balls or spray the diluted oil at your home's entry points or in other places that mice like, such as doorways, baseboards, pantries, garbage bins, kitchen cabinets, or any area where you've spotted droppings or other signs of mouse activity.

Just keep in mind that the high concentration of essentials oils makes them quite potent and can lead to strong reactions in some people and pets. Bergamot essential oil can be toxic for cats and babies. If you have a baby, make sure to place the cotton balls or spray in an area they can't access. And if you've got a cat, well, maybe you want to see if it can do a better job of nabbing your little visitors.