Natural Rodent Deterrents: Protect Your Car & House

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

Mice, squirrels, chipmunks, and rats — while they all have their place in the world, they become pests when they invade our spaces, like our cars, parked RVs, homes, vacation houses, and chicken coops. Did you know that essential oils can be natural rodent deterrents AND a chemical-free solution? And the good news is that essential oils smell good to us, even if the rodents disagree… more on that later.

Essential Oils to Stop Rodents Chewing Car Wires

Have you had trouble with rodents chewing car wires? Or what about when squirrels and mice get into your car’s heating system and tufts of insulation get blown out each time you turn the fan on? As the temperatures drop and these critters are looking for a warm place to hunker down, this can become a frustrating problem!

Two customers, Kathy and Doctor Jay, asked me this question recently, “What essential oil could I use to keep rodents out of my car?” I share my answer in my latest Q&A with Caryn video.

Peppermint Essential Oil — A Natural Mouse Repellent

In the video, I mention Peppermint essential oil. Peppermint is definitely a heavy hitter when it comes to keeping rodents away. That’s because mice heavily rely on their sense of smell to travel back and forth from their nests to food sources. The high menthol content in peppermint oil irritates the nasal cavities — encouraging the mouse to choose another path. It can also mask their pheromone trails, making it difficult for them to find their way around.

It’s best to use Peppermint essential oil, an extract won’t pack the same punch. If you don’t have Peppermint, Spearmint is an alternative that has similar properties. This article on Angi, Do Essentials Oils Work to Repel Mice and Spiders, lists Citronella, Eucalyptus, and Lemon as other options to try.

And Martha Stewart agrees! In her article, 6 Natural Ways to Keep Mice Away From Your Home for Good, her #6 tip is” “Soak cotton balls or pads with five to 10 drops of Peppermint, Clove, Eucalyptus, or Cinnamon oil. A concentrated scent is key to making it effective.”

What are some methods of application for keeping rodents out of your home or other buildings? In our blog, Ten Uses for Peppermint Essential Oil, Denise recommends sprinkling it straight from the bottle around the outside of the house. This makes sense because you want to keep pests out of your house rather than fight an infestation. But if mice or other rodents have already made their way into your home, try to figure out their entry points. It’s often small holes at baseboards, windows, or through the garage.

Once you’ve figured out the point of entry, soak a rag or a cotton ball in peppermint oil (for a cotton ball you want at least 5 drops) and then pack the holes where the mice are entering the home. Make sure to replace your cotton balls with newly scented balls at least once a month. Once the scent dissipates, the mouse might want to chew up that cotton ball which is not its intended purpose!

Have you discovered another natural rodent deterrent that works? We’d love to hear from you! If you have a question about how to use essential oils, please reach out to me. We highlight a customer question and answer every month in Q&A with Caryn.

New to aromatherapy? Learn how you can benefit from essential oils in everyday life with our free ebook, Listen to Your Nose! An Introduction to Aromatherapy.