So, I’ve been dealing with a mouse problem in my detached garage lately. It’s been a real pain – I keep finding droppings near my workbench, and those little critters have been gnawing on the insulation of my hot water heater pipes. I’ve tried sealing up every gap I could find with steel wool and expanding foam, but somehow they’re still managing to find their way in. Frustrating, right?
To combat this issue, I’ve been experimenting with a few different methods. One thing I’ve been doing is placing cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil around the perimeter of the garage. I make sure to refresh them every week to keep the scent strong. I’ve also tried using BugMD Vamoose pouches in areas where I notice the most droppings. These pouches actually contain citronella oil among other oils, and while I couldn’t find solid evidence of citronella’s effectiveness, the pouches seem to be doing something.
I’ve had a colleague at work suggest citronella oil as another option for repelling mice, but I’m not entirely convinced. I mean, the BugMD Vamoose pouches do contain citronella, so maybe there’s some truth to it. But at the same time, I’m trying to stay realistic about what actually works versus what’s just internet hype.
One major limitation for me is that I can’t use poison in the garage because my neighbor’s cat sometimes sneaks in through the gap under the door. Yep, I know that’s probably how the mice are getting in too – I’m in the process of installing a door sweep to address that. So, I’m really looking for non-toxic solutions that won’t harm the cat or any other critters that come through.
So, my question to you all is: have any of you had success repelling mice with citronella, or is peppermint oil the only essential oil worth trying? I’m all ears for any practical advice or experiences you can share. I’m just trying to find a solution that actually works, not just something that sounds good on the internet. Let me know your thoughts!