This morning, when I noticed that the dog’s food dish was empty, I realized that our “favorite” visitors had found a new entry point and were enjoying a feast while we slept. Mice may be cute, but their nocturnal behavior of quietly carrying dog food makes me uneasy. When confronted with this situation, I didn’t choose to set traps or put down bait because I didn’t want to hurt my pups and wanted to take a more humane approach to the situation.

I followed the likely path of the mouse droppings and found several large holes along the fence of the yard, which I assumed were their new entry points, and promptly plugged the holes with wire. This, along with the temporary removal of the food source, should solve the problem for now. If that wasn’t enough, I had a few other natural solutions ready to go:

Remove the bait:

Make sure the mice can’t find food and nesting materials by storing cereal, pet food, etc. in metal containers.

Seal entrances:

I checked my home for possible small holes and cracks and sealed them with silicone, boards or steel wool to stop mice from re-entering.

Use natural rat repellents:

The scents of peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper and cloves are anathema to mice. I put drops of these spices on dryer sheets and place these in areas where mice might enter, such as under doorways or by windows. This strong scent is effective in deterring mice from approaching, while also bringing freshness to your home.

This is a simple but effective way to repel mice and improve your indoor environment at the same time. Alternatively, put a few dryer sheets in a mesh bag and place them under beds and in corners, hang them in closets, cupboards, etc.

Use kitty litter and ammonia:

Although I don’t have cats, the smell of used kitty litter may keep mice away. Additionally, ammonia, which smells similar to the urine of a possible natural predator, can be placed under cabinets or in places such as the pantry, but be sure to keep it out of reach of pets and children.