Homemade Rat And Mice Spray Repellent
Mice and rat invasions are cumbersome and often pricey. They chew through materials and litter surfaces with bedding and droppings. Many find it inhumane to kill the rodents in traps, so they turn to alternative repellents. Homemade spray repellents are an ideal alternative to rodent traps. They work to repel the rodents through scent, without harming the animals.
Peppermint Oil Spray
Although peppermint oil smells clean and fresh to humans, mice and rats find it unappealing. Combine 1 cup water or rubbing alcohol with 2 tsp. peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Shake it until it is fully mixed. Spray the solution everywhere you have found evidence of the rodents. Spray cotton balls with the solution and set them in the locations as well. Spray again in one week. After two weeks, spray new cotton balls and replace the old ones.
Ammonia Spray
Rats and mice dislike the smell of ammonia because it smells like predator urine. Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup ammonia and 1 cup vinegar. Mix well and spray all areas the rodents frequent. Spray cotton balls with the solution and set them in the areas as well. Replace the cotton balls after two weeks. Monitor the areas to make certain the rodents are not returning. If so, spray the locations again.
Mothball Spray
Mothballs do not only repel moths, but also mice and rats. The odor deters them and keeps them away. Put 1/8 cup mothballs in a plastic sack and crush them with a hammer. Pour the crushed mothballs into a spray bottle and fill it with water. Mix in 1 tsp. dish detergent. Locate all areas the rodents have traveled and spray them with the solution. The scent will keep the rodents form returning. If you notice new rodent activity, spray the locations again.
Wintergreen Oil Spray
Like peppermint oil, rodents are repelled by the smell of wintergreen oil. Mix together 1 cup water or rubbing alcohol and 2 tsp. wintergreen oil in a spray bottle. Mix it well. Spray all areas the rodents have visited. Locate entrance holes and spray them as well. Spray cotton balls with the solution and set them in visited areas. Replace the cotton balls after two weeks.
References
- "Haley's Hints"; Graham Haley et al.; 1995