Mice have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, and they find certain pungent aromas—which we often find pleasant or medicinal—to be completely overwhelming. Using garlic, lemon, and cloves is a respectful and non-toxic way to create a “scent barrier” that encourages mice to seek shelter elsewhere without using harmful chemicals in your home.
Here are the benefits of using these specific ingredients and the best way to prepare them as a natural repellent.
Why Garlic, Lemon, and Cloves Work
- Garlic: Contains sulfur compounds that are highly irritating to a mouse’s nose. They associate the strong scent of garlic with a hostile environment.
- Lemon: The high concentration of citric acid and the sharp, bright scent of citrus mask the “pheromone trails” that mice use to navigate and find their way back to food sources.
- Cloves: Cloves contain eugenol, a very strong essential oil. To a mouse, the scent of cloves is overpowering and acts as a natural deterrent that keeps them away from cupboards and pantries.
The Recipe: Triple-Action Repellent Spray
This infusion is easy to make and can be sprayed along baseboards, behind appliances, and near entry points.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of water
- 4 to 5 cloves of fresh Garlic (crushed)
- 10 to 15 whole Cloves
- The peel of 2 Lemons (the oils are in the skin)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a small pot.
- Add the Aromatics: Add the crushed garlic, whole cloves, and lemon peels to the boiling water.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. This creates a concentrated “tea” of essential oils.
- Cool and Steep: Turn off the heat and let the mixture sit until it is completely cool. This long steeping time ensures the scent is as strong as possible.
- Strain and Bottle: Strain the liquid into a spray bottle.
7 Tips for Using Natural Repellents Effectively
- Identify Entry Points: Spray the mixture directly into cracks, crevices, and holes where you suspect mice are entering.
- Saturate Cotton Balls: For areas like back corners of cabinets, soak cotton balls in the concentrated liquid and leave them there. Replace them every 3–4 days as the scent fades.
- Create a Lemon Barrier: Rub fresh lemon peels along the bottom of pantry doors. The sticky oils provide a long-lasting scent trail that mice dislike.
- Garlic Cloves in the Garage: Place halved cloves of fresh garlic in corners of the garage or basement. The raw scent is much more pungent than the spray.
- Refresh Regularly: Natural scents evaporate. For this to be “100% effective,” you must re-apply the spray every 2–3 days until you no longer see signs of activity.
- The Clove “Sachet”: Tie whole cloves in small pieces of cheesecloth and hang them near windows or vents.
- Clean the Trails: Before spraying, clean the area with vinegar. This removes the “scent paths” mice have already established, making your new repellent even more effective.
A Thoughtful Note: While these scents are wonderful for us, they are very strong for pets as well. Ensure that your garlic and clove treatments are tucked away in areas where your curious cats or dogs cannot reach them.
