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.
There are several claims of strong-smelling items like dryer sheets 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 – do dryer sheets repel mice effectively? Is their strong scent enough to solve your mouse problem?
Dryer sheets that carry a strong scent 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 dryer sheet will fade and need to be replaced with a new sheet. The benefit of dryer sheets is that they are easy to place around the house as opposed to sprays like bleach or vinegar. They also smell much better to humans than these alternatives.
When it comes down to it, dryer sheets alone will not fix a mouse problem. This is especially true if there is a food source or readily available nesting material. It is a temporary annoyance for your new unwanted house guest. If you have multiple mice or ongoing issues, you will need to consider a stronger multi-layered approach.
Video Evidence – Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice?
To see how well dryer sheets work at deterring mice, check out this informative video – Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice and Rats? by Shawn Woods. He does a nice job of testing a few different dryer sheet methods. They all ended with the same result of the mice (and rats) being undeterred by the scent of the dryer sheets.
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.
Often 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. There is no need to panic 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 top 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 |
For a deeper dive 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.
Happy Hunting,