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You may have heard claims of strong-smelling household items like vinegar, dryer sheets, bleach and moth balls as being effective mouse repellents. This is because mice have a keen sense of smell and are sensitive to intense odors. That raises the question – does bleach repel mice effectively? Is the intense odor enough to keep mice away?
Bleach is 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 bleach will fade and need to be re-applied. It is very important to be careful when you are spraying bleach if you choose to do so. It can damage many surfaces like furniture, flooring and can be harmful if it comes into contact with your skin. When it comes down to it, bleach alone is not a sustainable way to fix a mouse problem. This is especially true if there is a food source or readily available nesting material.
Ways that Bleach can Help Repel Mice
Bleach is an effective cleaning agent that can help eliminate nasty bacteria that mice leave behind. This will help to create a clean environment which is less attractive for mice. Bleach sprays can also help clean up spills and food remains so as not to invite mice. In this way it can help prevent mice from sticking around your home.
If you have multiple mice or ongoing issues, you will ultimately need to consider a strong 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. Over time our homes tend to settle and shift so it’s important to perform exterior checks at least annually to check for new cracks that need sealed.
- 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 |
In Conclusion, Does Bleach Repel Mice?
Unfortunately there is not always one simple fix when it comes to keeping mice out. Bleach may work as a cleaning agent to help keep a tidy home but it is not sustainable or advisable to use on all surfaces and can be harmful. The best approach to repelling and keeping mice away is a multi-layered effort of preventative measures and traps as necessary.
For a deeper dive and more information on each of the trap options above, 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.
- Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice?
- Does Irish Spring Soap Really Repel Mice?
- Do Moth Balls Repel Mice?
- Does Vinegar Repel Mice?
Happy Hunting,
