Did you know that you can use the power of all natural cinnamon to keep mice out of your house and garage? Not only can it help keep your house safe from these tiny invaders, but it can also keep you and your pets safe from having to resort to harsh traps or poisons!
Believe it or not, cinnamon is one of the most powerful aromatic spices of all when it comes to repelling mice. In fact, they absolutely despise it. And by using it in just a few simple ways, you really can keep mice out for good.
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a bushy evergreen tree that grows in the warmer climates of Sri Lanka, South America and the West Indies. It has long been known as a spice for a wide range of culinary uses – but it also happens to be an amazing deterrent for a long list of pests besides just mice.
Cinnamon & Pests
As it turns out, cinnamon is great for repelling everything from mosquitoes and cockroaches, to flies, ants and even bed bugs. Its scent and physical properties are also good for keeping spiders out of the house in the fall and winter months See: How To Keep Spiders Away!
But where cinnamon can really make a difference is for those who battle mice! Let’s face it, beyond being unsettling to see a mouse scurry across your floor – or even worse, find them in your pantry or cupboards – mice bring along the threat of disease and other issues indoors.
The waste mice leave behind can carry and spread a long list of health issues. That same waste can also leave a foul smell that can be hard to remove. Even worse, if they get into your pantry or other food sources, they can cause serious and expensive damage.
But what if you could keep mice from ever getting inside in the first place – all by repelling them with cinnamon? The good news is you can. And there are three easy ways and methods you can use it to keep your home and garage safe with ease!
How To Use Cinnamon To Keep Mice Out Of Your House
When it comes to mice getting into a home, there are three main areas they love to take up residence – the garage, the basement and the kitchen. It’s not to say these sneaky little rodents won’t find comfort in other rooms, but they often find the two things they are looking for most in these locations – food and shelter.
The first line of defense to defend your home from mice is to seal off their food sources. Mice have a keen sense of smell. If there are open feed bags in your garage, or open food containers and bags in your home, if they can get in, they will.
Cardboard and plastic bags are no challenge at all for mice to chew through. Instead, use hard plastic sealable containers to store any and all foods. But once you have everything sealed – it’s time to let cinnamon help keep mice away for good!
3 Great Ways To Use Cinnamon To Keep Mice Out Of A House
When it comes to using cinnamon as a mice repellent, there are three main forms that are effective as a deterrent – cinnamon oil, cinnamon powder and cinnamon sticks. Here is a look at how to use each to protect your home:
#1 Cinnamon Oil
The pure oil of cinnamon is an incredible weapon against mice. It’s strong, pungent – and can last a long time wherever it is used. It also happens to be the least expensive option of the three, as the oil can go a long way. Affiliate Link: Kates Premium Cinnamon Oil 4 Fl Oz with Huge Dropper and Sprayer
So how and where can you use cinnamon oil to stop mice? One of the best ways is to spray and soak cotton balls with the oil. Then simply place them wherever mice are entering. They are great for protecting pantries, cupboards, closets, garages – and basements too.
You can also use the spray as a barrier at key entry points – like the bottom of garage door trim and even the base of entry doors too. Many also use the oil in a diffuser in their kitchens, pantry or basement to keep the scent of cinnamon strong.
Not only will it keep mice from coming in – it will make all these areas smell great too! To keep the spray effective, reapply every few weeks for a strong scent. In addition, when purchasing cinnamon oil, make sure you are buying pure oil. Pure oil is strong. Unfortunately, diluted products will not have the same effect.
#2 Cinnamon Powder – How To Keep Mice Out Of Your House
Right behind cinnamon oil is cinnamon powder. It too can serve as an effective barrier against mice as well. You can use cinnamon powder to fill sachets or put down as a powder in high entry points as a deterrent.
Cinnamon sachets are great for the basement and garage. Sachets are simple, breathable pouches that hold the aromatic cinnamon powder inside. You can place them in grills and stored mowers, tractors, cars, or anything you need to keep safe from mice trying to build their nests in.
You can make and fill your own sachets, or buy ready-to-go pouches pre-loaded with cinnamon. Some brands even carry sachets with cinnamon and mint, which is also a great mouse repellent. Together, they can be doubly effective at repelling mice! Affiliate Link: Grandpa Gus’s Extra-Strength Mouse Repellent, Cinnamon/Peppermint Oils
You can also use cinnamon powder all by itself. Although it can be a bit messy to spread powder in your pantry and cupboards, you can lay down a line of cinnamon around garage doors and key entry points to create an effective barrier.
Not only will mice stay away from the pungent odor, but this is also an extremely effective way to keep ants from marching into your home and pantry. They simply won’t cross the line of cinnamon!
Cinnamon Sticks – How To Keep Mice Out Of Your House
Last but not least, cinnamon sticks are another fast way to stop mice. The good news is you can usually find cinnamon sticks in bulk at a significant savings instead of trying to purchase a few in a grocery store. Affiliate Link: Cinnamon Sticks 14 Oz Bag ~100 Sticks
Much as with cinnamon powder sachets and oil, the smell of pure cinnamon sticks can quickly deter mice. Sticks are great for using in enclosed spaces like cupboards or pantries. The smell from the sticks fills the space, and mice stay far away.
Cinnamon sticks can also be used in engine compartments and lawn and garden equipment. Just as with sachets, their aroma will keep mice from building nests under hoods and in tight spaces.
The great thing about cinnamon sticks is that they never look unappealing. After all, it can be unsettling for someone to open a pantry door and find a few mouse traps. But a few sticks of cinnamon – and all is well! Here is to protecting your home against mice this year with the power of cinnamon! Happy Gardening, Jim and Mary.
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
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