Dealing with Mice: Peppermint Oil, Dryer Sheets and Other Crazy Tricks to Try

There are things that everyone shares: the need for food, the search for love, and the intrusion of mice into our homes. But don’t despair! There are several ways to deter and remove mice. Read on to learn about a few of the more well known, if a little out-there, methods.

Peppermint Oil And Cotton Balls

The smell of peppermint is lovely for humans, but terrible to a mouse’s nose. Put a few drops of pure peppermint oil on cotton balls and place them where you’ve noticed evidence of mice. Be careful to change those balls for fresh ones at least once a week once the smell wears off, cotton balls are great material for a mouse nest.

Dryer Sheets

Another strong smell that will discourage mice from your home is dryer sheets. Place fresh ones around mouse hangout points, or stuff them into entry holes. Same thing here, though: make sure to remove them once the smell wears off. Nothing looks nicer for a nest than an unscented dryer sheet.

Mousetrap! The Glass Bowl Version

One humane and cost-effective choice is to build a live trap by balancing a glass bowl on an upright coin. Put some chocolate or peanut butter high up inside the bowl. When the mouse reaches for the treat it’ll upset the coin and drop the bowl to the floor, trapping itself. Then slide stiff cardboard over the bowl opening and carry the mouse at least 1km from your home before releasing it. Or you can go the store-bought route but either way, check all traps at least once a day.

Plug Those Holes!

With the mouse gone, there’s two things left to do. First, clean up after it (remove its droppings and sanitize the area) to discourage a return. Then close all its doors. Block any holes bigger than a pencil with caulking, steel or copper wool, or even aluminum foil all of these are tough to chew through.

And that’s it! Keep an eye out, and call in help if it becomes too much to handle these steps are most effective for a small number of rodents. If you need more help, give me a call for some reliable pest control referrals – 602-320-4253.

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16210 N 159th Avenue Surprise, AZ 85374

$459,000

4 Beds

2.5 Baths

1,949 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6653700

Property Type Single Family Residence

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Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, move in ready home on an oversized lot! Fresh paint, tile in all the right places. The large kitchen is a cooks dream with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances! RV gate.

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5245 N Grand Canyon Drive Eloy, AZ 85131

$459,000

2 Beds

2 Baths

1,700 SqFt

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MLS # 6659456

Property Type Single Family Residence

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PARTIALLY FURNISHED MONTECITO MODEL on PREMIUM homesite & OWNED SOLAR! 22 solar panels & sellers have not had an electric bill, only credits $$$. There is a beautiful pocket park adjacent to the home with walking paths & benches. Beautiful 2 bedroom, 2 bath home, Den + a golf cart garage w/4 ft ext. Bay windows in Dining, Master & Guest room! Kitchen features upgraded cabinets, Gas range, SS appliances, Quartz countertops, tile backsplash, Reverse osmosis, under cabinet & pendant lighting. Large neutral tile throughout (carpet in bedrooms only). So many upgrades like the gated stucco trash enclosure at the side of the home, 2-tone paint, highly upgraded window treatments & fans in every room. Front & back of the home are professionally landscaped. This is a must see! Welcome home!

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10438 E Twilight Drive Sun Lakes, AZ 85248

$459,000

3 Beds

2 Baths

1,972 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6662510

Property Type Single Family Residence

Price Type --

Here's the home that will fit both your lifestyle and finances. Ample opportunity to put your personal touches and imagination to make it you! Great room flows seamlessly in to the dining room, kitchen and breakfast room. Spacious Primary bedroom with patio access and updated bathroom. Large secondary bedrooms that overlook the front courtyard area. Updated guest bathroom. Additional 392 SQ FT of Bonus Rooms, ideal for home office, hobby, fitness or workshop. Use one for work and the other for play! Backyard covered patio is perfect for afternoon get-togethers after golf with friends. Very private, expansive backyard. Garage offers plenty of space for vehicles along with tons of storage. Ready to live the resort life? Come check out all this community has to offer and make the move! January 2024, All tile sections of the house and garage have had felt replaced, tiles reinstalled, broken tiles replaced and new flashings installed.

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30924 W Catalina Drive Buckeye, AZ 85396

$459,000

4 Beds

3 Baths

2,684 SqFt

Status Active

MLS # 6673783

Property Type Single Family Residence

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Explore the possibilities of this corner-lot home in Tartesso, offering an assumable low-rate FHA loan for qualifying buyers. With a practical design, this 2020-built DR Horton Onyx model features 4 bedrooms plus a flex room/den and 3 full baths. All bedrooms boast walk-in closets, and the front guest bedroom has a full ensuite bath. Inside, discover wood-look tile floors, recessed lighting, 2'' blinds, and a large great room with a double slider and electric fireplace. The kitchen is very functional with white cabinets, granite counters, a center island with a breakfast bar, walk-in pantry, modern pendants, and stainless-steel appliances. The primary bedroom is spacious and directly off the main living area. The primary bath includes an extended vanity, double sinks, a separate tub and shower, and a massive walk-in closet. Huge laundry room with plenty of space for an extra fridge or freezer. Great corner lot with a backyard large enough for endless upgrades. Create your own backyard oasis in the desirable community of Tartesso!

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