Did you know that plain old cinnamon can help keep mice out of your home, shed, garage and even stored cars and campers? Not only does it work as a natural repellent, but it also lets you avoid using harsh traps or toxic chemicals, keeping you, your family and pets safer in the process!
Believe it or not, cinnamon’s strong smell is one of the best natural ways to keep mice away – and by using it in a few simple ways, you can help prevent mice from getting into the spaces and places you never want them to visit.
Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of a tree that grows in the warmer climates of South America and the West Indies. Known, of course, for adding flavor in cooking, cinnamon also happens to be great for keeping out various pests – beyond even mice.
Using Cinnamon As A Repellent
Cinnamon works to repel many pests, including mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, ants, and bed bugs. It can even help keep spiders out during the colder months. But where it can really help is in the fall and winter is with mice.
These unwanted guests are more than a nuisance. Not only can they bring diseases and create unpleasant odors, they can cause serious damage. And even more, provide quite the surprise when you see them scurrying in front of you!
The good news is that you can use cinnamon to keep mice away and help avoid any of these problems right from the start. With that in mind, here is a look at three simple ways to use it to keep your home and outbuildings free of mice.
How To Use Cinnamon to Keep Mice Out
Mice love spaces like garages, basements, and kitchens. These are all places where they can usually find food and shelter with ease. Because of this, before you ever use that first stick of cinnamon or the first drop of cinnamon oil – be sure to secure any food sources in hard containers.
One thing is for sure, mice can chew through cardboard, paper and thin plastic with ease. Those all allow the odor of food through as well, further attracting them. Instead, always secure food with heavier plastic containers with secure lids. Once your food is stored safely, it’s time to add a layer of cinnamon defense!
Three Simple Ways To Use Cinnamon Against Mice
There are three forms of cinnamon that are great for keeping mice away: cinnamon oil, cinnamon powder, and cinnamon sticks. Here’s a look at how to use each one:
Cinnamon Oil
Cinnamon oil has a strong smell that repels mice effectively. Even better, of all three types of cinnamon, it is the most cost-friendly. A little cinnamon oil will go a long way!
One of the easiest methods to use cinnamon oil is with cotton balls. Simply soak the cotton balls in cinnamon oil and place them near where mice might enter. Inside of pantry doors, cabinets, garages and basements are all ideal for this.
Not only is it quite effective at stopping mice, it also acts as a great deodorizer as well. Even more, you get added protection against many insects (such as ants) that often invade these spaces too.
Cinnamon oil is also wonderful for turning into a spray by adding water. 10 to 15 drops of oil in 10 ounces of water is ideal for an effective barrier spray. Simply use it to spray around doors and other possible entry points.
To keep the scent active, you can even put some cinnamon oil in a diffuser for areas like the kitchen or basement. Reapply every few weeks to keep the smell strong and effective.
One note on cinnamon oil – be sure to always purchase pure undiluted oil. Unfortunately, many oil products come diluted, and they simply don’t have the effectiveness of pure cinnamon oil. Especially if you are making it into a spray and diluting it again! Affiliate Product Link: MAJESTIC PURE Cinnamon Essential Oil | 100% Pure
Cinnamon Powder – How To Use Cinnamon To Keep Mice Out
Cinnamon powder is another great option when it comes to deterring mice. Powder can be used in several effective ways, both by putting the powder into breathable pouches or sprinkling it directly around entrances.
Sachets filled with cinnamon powder work well in the garage, basement and storage areas. They also work well to protect cars or lawn equipment, where mice often like to nest. You can place the packets in engine compartments or inside vehicles to keep them free of mice. Affiliate Link: Happy Belly Cinnamon, Ground, 15 ounce
You can also sprinkle cinnamon powder on its own to create a line around areas like the garage door. Not only will mice avoid it, but ants won’t cross the line of cinnamon either.
Cinnamon Sticks – How To Use Cinnamon To Keep Mice Out
Last but not least, you can also use cinnamon sticks as a great defense against mice. Cinnamon sticks are easy to use and perfect for enclosed spaces like pantries or cupboards. The scent fills the space, deterring mice naturally.
You can also place sticks in engine compartments or garden equipment to prevent mice from building nests. Cinnamon sticks are a natural, gentle option for pest control that won’t look out of place. Just put them where needed and enjoy a home that’s both pest-free and nicely scented.
Cinnamon sticks are by far the most costly of all three options, but if you have them on hand, they are certainly quite effective!
Here is to using cinnamon to keep mice out of your house, garage, shed and more this fall and winter! For more ways to use cinnamon, check out our article: How To Use Cinnamon To Repel Pests In Gardens & Flowerbeds.
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Simple Garden Life is a website dedicated to keeping gardening fun, simple and enjoyable! We publish two new articles each week along with a new garden podcast episode every two weeks. This article may contain affiliate links.