What Can I Put on the Ground to Repel Mice & Rats?

What Can I Put on the Ground to Repel Mice & Rats?
Published: Oct 11, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Castor Oil

Spraying lawn with water mixture

Castor oil is a type of vegetable oil that can be mixed into a solution that can be sprayed in and around your garden our outdoor area to repel mice and rats. To create a diluted mixture of castor oil, mix a one half of a cup of castor oil with two gallons of water. After the solution is mixed, water your garden plants with the solution, helping to enrich your soil as well as repel the rodents.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint leaves, close up

Peppermint oil can be placed in bowls around your house or spread on the soil of your garden to help repel mice and rats from your property. Peppermint oil contains several natural pesticides, including menthone. These pesticides are a natural repellent to both mice and rats, acting as poison if they eat it.

Traps

Mouse near trap

If you are looking to eliminate a rodent problem as well as prevent rodents from getting into a certain part of your property, placing rat and mouse traps on the ground will help eliminate the problem. Placing several different types of baits on the traps will appeal to different rodents, helping you to lure and eliminate mice and rats of all shapes and sizes. In addition to a variety of baits, securing the bait in the trap will insure that the rodent does not escape.

Advertisement

Cats

Black Cat close up

If you are looking for a natural and effective deterrent for mice and rats, buying a cat to patrol the grounds of your property will help keep mice and rats away. In addition to hunting and killing mice and rats, cats' smell and fur is a natural deterrent to mice and rats. If you are allergic to cats, strategically placing cat hair around mice and rat entry holes will deter them from coming into your house or garden.

The Drip Cap

  • Whether you are looking to protect your garden or house from mice and rats, natural and chemical products can help deter mice and rats from interacting with your household.
  • Peppermint oil contains several natural pesticides, including menthone.

References

Photo Credits

Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Thomas Northcut/Lifesize/Getty Images

John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images

John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images

Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.