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Banish Mice From Your Home With These Simple, Humane Techniques
By SARAH VULPIO
Peppermint
The menthol in peppermint irritates mice's nasal cavity, according to Victor. You can grow peppermint plants around the house, which will deter mice or drive them away.
Chicago Tribune advises spraying 2 teaspoons of peppermint essential oil and 2 cups of water on entry points and floor cracks or stuffing oil-soaked cotton balls in entry points.
Peanut Butter
To make a humane trap, put dry oatmeal and peanut butter at the bottom of a bucket and stack bricks next to it so mice can get in but can't escape (per Peta2).
Once the mice are in the bucket, put a towel over the top to keep them calm, then release them in the wild, far enough away from your house that they don't find their way back.
Food
Grove Collaborative says to cut off the mice’s food source. Avoid leaving food on the counter, store dry food in airtight containers, and reduce crumbs by eating at the table.
If you have pets, remove their food bowls once they've eaten and refrain from putting out dry food for them throughout the day until you've managed to get rid of the mice.
Cayenne
According to Pest Pointers, the capsaicin in cayenne pepper irritates mice's nose hairs. Sprinkle cayenne flakes wherever you've noticed mice, and around any entry points.
Femina suggests wrapping the flakes in pieces of cloth to keep them out of reach of pets and children. Cayenne pepper will also get rid of other pests, like roaches and other bugs.
Vinegar
Mice hate the smell of apple cider vinegar, so Apollo X recommends cleaning all counters and surfaces of your house with a mixture of 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% water.