The Profit Property participates in the Amazon Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs. This allows us to earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate disclosure page. (Does Vinegar Repel Mice)
There are several claims of strong-smelling household items like vinegar, dryer sheets, bleach and moth balls as being effective mouse repellents. This is because mice have such a keen sense of smell and are sensitive to intense odors. That raises the question – does vinegar repel mice effectively? Is the strong pungent odor enough to keep mice away?
Vinegar carries such a strong scent that it may temporarily overwhelm a mouse’s senses and work as a repellent. Like other strong smelling DIY mouse repellents, over time the scent of the vinegar will fade and need to be re-applied. It may also be difficult to apply enough vinegar to make much of a difference for any extended amount of time. It is also worth considering if you want your home to stink of vinegar. As a side note, it may also be effective at repelling house guests of the human variety!
When it comes down to it, vinegar alone will not fix a mouse problem. This is especially true if there is a food source or readily available nesting material. Mice can be very resilient when it comes to accessing food. Vinegar may just be a temporary annoyance. If you have multiple mice or ongoing issues, you will need to consider a stronger multi-layered approach. This includes preparing and maintaining your home in a way that prevents them from entering in the first place.
How to Prevent Mice from Entering Your Home
Whether you have a mouse problem or are being proactive, it is never too soon to take action towards preventing mice from sneaking into your home. Follow these 5 steps to prepare your house to be mice free.
- Seal Exterior Cracks: Mice have the ability to squeeze through cracks and crevices as small as a dime which is why it’s important to seal up any cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Keep Food Sealed: Seal human and pet food in airtight containers and clean up spills and crumbs.
- Reduce Clutter: Avoid having excess clutter that may attract mice and provide them with nesting material.
- Keep Home’s Exterior Clutter Free: Keep vegetation and firewood stacked away from your home.
- Cover Vents: Cover vents and chimneys with screens to eliminate mice from coming in when they feel warm air and are tempted to get out of the cold.
Preventative steps are just part of the solution. There will be times that no matter how clean or sealed up you think your house is, you will still find signs of a mouse. Mice are attracted to the warmth of a home in the fall and winter and can find the smallest cracks and crevices to gain access. There is no need to panic though as there are several options available to help eliminate your mouse problem.
Best Mice Repellent Sprays and Traps
You may be feeling overwhelmed if you have found signs of a mouse in the form of nesting material, droppings, or chewed food wrappers. The good news is that there are several products on the market today to help fit your need and situation. Products range from repellent sprays, poison, glue traps, catch and release devices and traditional spring traps. These are some of our favorite tried and trusted picks in each of those categories.
Product | Description | Rating | Buy Now |
 | Mighty Mint Gallon (128 oz) Rodent Natural Peppermint Oil Spray | 4,279 Ratings | |
 | Tomcat With Bromethalin Bait Chunx Pail | 20,714 Ratings | |
 | CaptSure Humane Mouse Traps | 13,152 Ratings | |
 | Catchmaster 72MAX Pest Trap, 36Count, White | 42,803 Ratings | |
 | Feeke Trigger Mouse Trap | 12.493 Ratings | |
 | RinneTraps - Flip N Slide Bucket Lid Mouse Trap | 6,319 Ratings |
Does Vinegar Repel Mice?
Unfortunately there is not always one simple fix when it comes to keeping mice out. The best approach is a multi-layered effort of preventative measures and traps as necessary. For a deeper dive and more information on each of these trap options, check out our full article – How to Get Rid of Mice. I discuss which option might be best if you have children or pets. It is also important to think about where in your home or garage has the highest mouse traffic.
If you are curious about the effectiveness of other smelly household products for eliminating rodents, these posts are worth a visit.
Happy Hunting,
