In an online clip, Mel said: "There were lots of little crevices, and they could get in the tiniest of holes, it seems like so and they would get in our cabinets, they would get in and just wreak havoc. So we finally got fed up, and I started looking at remedies, and that's when I discovered peppermint oil," reports the Express .
But how does peppermint oil work as a rodent deterrent?
Peppermint oil is a stellar rat/mice repellant since rodents possess super sensitive noses that are irritated by its potent mint aroma. Mel revealed: "Peppermint oil is a great deterrent, and I have read that what it does is it actually masks their pheromone trails so that other mice aren't attracted to that area.
"And then I've also read that it irritates their nasal passages. They don't like it. And it actually it worked. It worked for us in a couple of different old, really old houses that we lived in."
Peppermint oil is a fantastic natural deterrent for rodents, as it masks food odors in your home, making it harder for rats and mice to sniff out food. This can reduce their motivation to explore and nest in an area.
Wondering how to use peppermint oil to keep these pests at bay?
Cotton ball method.
The application of this deterrent is incredibly straightforward. All you need is a packet of cotton balls and a bottle of pure peppermint oil, which you can purchase from pharmacies and health food stores.
Mel advised: "You can put probably at least five to six drops on a cotton ball, and then put those cotton balls in different areas where you think the mice might be coming in, or where you're finding evidence of mice. So around your cabinets, around baseboards, maybe even around, like outside entrances, like your garage door, things like places like that."
You can also place the peppermint-infused cotton balls under sinks as rodents often enter homes through gaps around plumbing pipes. But don't forget to put them near windows, doors, or any place you suspect the rodents are using to enter your home.
Another highly effective way to use peppermint oil is to create a homemade solution by simply mixing it with water and spraying it around your home.
Mel shared: "Another thing I did, I took it one step further, and I used a spray bottle, and I mixed up water with lots of peppermint oil, you want to make sure that it's potent enough so that it will smell, so it'll smell strong enough to deter them.
"A lot of people recommend a one-to-one mixture. I didn't go that strong. That was way too strong because it would fill your house with a minty fresh smell. You could use, like 25 drops for eight ounces, or you could use two teaspoons of peppermint oil for eight ounces for maybe a cup of water.
"Just make sure that when you spray it, you can smell it really well. It's really strong, and you'll have to keep replenishing your cotton balls and your spray every couple of weeks. Just to keep it strong."
This DIY concoction can be sprayed around the home, out in the garden, or near sheds just remember to reapply after rain or weekly. Peppermint oil is an effective, natural, and inexpensive strategy for keeping mice and rats at bay as the weather gets colder, allowing you to enjoy a rodent-free home while keeping cozy.
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