Mice have lived side-by-side with humans for centuries, causing health problems and damaging structures along the way. In response, humans have invented repellents to prevent mice and other rodents from entering their homes and commercial spaces.
So what repellent works best against mice? One of the top-rated mice repellents on the market is the Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent Scent Pouches. This rodent repellent works well to prevent mice from infesting small, enclosed spaces. It can also be used in tandem with other methods to get rid of mice completely.
What Are Repellents And How Do They Work?
A mouse repellent or deterrent is something you set up inside a building that is considered to be unpleasant to mice. A mouse repellent could be a sound or a smell that mice dislike intensely and avoid. When a deterrent is placed in a room, rodents would stay away from that area. There are two types of mice repellents: scent and ultrasonic.
Scent repellents
A scent-based repellent tries to drive rodents away through their sensitive sense of smell. Scent repellents may be packaged in sachets, granules or plug-ins. These are formulated with non-toxic natural materials like peppermint or other essential oils so they are safe to use around children and pets.
- Scent-sachets are best suited to smaller rooms and spaces like closets or cabinets. However, you can also choose to place multiple sachets in one large room to deter mice and rodents. Generally, scent-sachet are among the cheapest choices for repellents.
- Granules are designed for outdoor use. You can scatter these poison-free granules around the perimeter of the building, creating a barrier that mice and rats wouldn’t want to cross. Granular repellents should be kept fresh and dry. This means regularly replacing them after rainfall or when “gaps” in the barrier appear.
- Plug-in scent repellents are ideal for larger rooms. You will need to plug these into an outlet so they can diffuse the formula inside the room. Most plug-in scent repellents are formulated with minty scents that humans will appreciate.
Ultrasonic repellents
Ultrasonic repellents are a newer technological development. These deterrents work by emitting sound waves that only mice and other small rodents can hear. Although humans won’t be affected by this high-frequency noise, it could sound like a jackhammer to mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and other tiny creatures.
Although ultrasonic repellents are totally free of poison and other chemicals, it is not safe to use if you own pet rodents. The good thing is that ultrasonic sound cannot penetrate through walls so you may be able to use it as long as you keep your pets in a different room.
To use an ultrasonic repellent, you need to plug it into the lowest outlet of the room. It shouldn’t be blocked by furniture or else the noise will not be effective. Some manufacturers design their ultrasonic repellent to emit a light when it’s working. Once the light goes out, you would know that it’s time to replace the device.
Currently, there is not much research that supports the effectiveness of ultrasonic mice repellents. Many experts are still questioning if this method really works in keeping rodents away.
Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent Scent Pouches: Effective Against Mice
Among scent repellents, the rodent repellent pouches produced by Fresh Cab Botanical is one of the most effective and affordable options around. This product is registered with the EPA as it meets the federal standards for professional pest control. The herbal mix in the repellent is non-toxic and is made to target mice or rats specifically.
How do Fresh Cab rodent repellent pouches work?
The Fresh Cab rodent repellent scent pouches are made of balsam fir oil, which is used as a biochemical pesticide that repels rodents with an offensive odor. Balsam fir oil may smell fresh to humans but it has a significant negative impact on a rodent’s nervous system. For mice, the scent makes them anxious to get away.
What do Fresh Cab rodent repellent pouches smell like?
Aside from balsam fir, the Fresh Cab scent pouches also include a mix of other essential oils like lavender, orange, lemon, cedar, and rosemary. These oils coat the base of the repellent made of small, organic grain balls. Each package comes with four patented pouches that slowly release the oils.
While the pouches themselves don’t leave a mess, the oils may seep through the breathable fabric. It is recommended that the scent pouches aren’t kept near food or clothes. There should also be a small piece of plastic under each pouch.
How many Fresh Cab rodent repellent pouches should be used?
Unlike a spray scent repellent you need to use every day, you simply have to remove the plastic wrapping from the pouches and place them in areas mice like to lurk in. These could be drop ceilings, crawl spaces, wall voids, and other gaps that are hard to reach.
Each pouch can cover 125 square feet of floor space and last up to 90 days. Ideally, these should be replaced every 30 days to achieve maximum effect. Fresh Cab rodent repellent scent pouches are best used as a preventive measure but can also help combat large infestations by placing one pouch for every 8 sq. ft. instead of the usual amount.
Although some users claim that this product is not effective, it’s possible that they were trying to use it for a large infestation. The pouches will also not work in too dry or too humid areas. If there are issues with using the product, their customer help desk may help. The company also offers a full, money-back guarantee if the scent pouches were bought from an official retailer.
Debunking Three Myths About Mice Repellents
Rodent infestations are notoriously difficult to get rid of. Not only are mice and rats well-equipped at hiding and building nests in unexpected places, but they also reproduce at a very fast rate. As people face these rodent-related problems, they may turn to solutions discussed online that aren’t necessarily effective.
Before you begin repelling mice, it’s important to learn what works and what doesn’t. Here are some myths about mice repellent that you should stay cautious of:
Myth #1: You can get rid of mice with only one method.
Repellent is known for deterring rodents. That means you can set up repellents to buy yourself some time to set up traps or hire pest control. However, repellents alone won’t be able to protect your home from rodents completely.
Once the mice are established residents inside your walls and have easy access to food and water, they will be determined to stay. You have spread out your repellents across the building and use a combination of traps and baits to protect your home. Most exterminators and pest control specialists work to create a multi-layered approach to getting rid of all rodents from your premises.
Myth #2: Mice repellents are 100% effective.
It’s hard to say with absolute certainty that anything is 100% effective. There are a lot of factors that affect how mice repellents work. Some rodents aren’t as sensitive towards odors. Other mice and rats may also be too deaf to hear any high-frequency sounds from an ultrasonic repellent.
There is also a matter of expectations. Many homeowners think repellents can eliminate mice and prevent them from multiplying inside the property. However, the best a repellent can do is to drive them away temporarily.
This is why it’s not advisable to rely solely on repellents to keep mice away from your property. You have to implement other measures such as sealing potential entry points and clearing out food scraps so mice don’t have a reason to hang around your home.
Myth #3: Natural mouse repellents and DIY home remedies work.
Peppermint, moth balls, and cayenne pepper are among the natural mouse repellents discussed on the internet. The problem with these home remedies is that they only work temporarily. For a brief moment, a mouse will be repelled by the smell of pepper but they are smart and adaptable.
Mice are used to living in sewers and other foul-smelling places so they can easily put up with the new scents you introduce. Once rodents find a warm, safe home with ample food, they will try to stay for generations. They can simply move away from the repellent and build a new nest elsewhere.
3 Tips To Help You Deal With A Mouse Infestation
The best way to make mice repellents work is to incorporate other pest control methods into your approach. It’s not enough to introduce deterrents into your property and call it a day. If you suspect to have a mouse infestation, you have to keep other rodents out and find a humane way to exterminate the ones inside efficiently. Here are three tips you can follow to minimize a rodent infestation:
1. Seal off all entry points.
Mice are evasive, to say the least. When you come across them, they are too tiny and nimble to be caught. They are also quick to get into holes, gaps, and even cracks that you won’t be able to reach. Because of these qualities, they are adept at avoiding capture and can live in your home for an indefinite period of time.
Sealing off the entry points will help you to prevent them from escaping into a narrow entrance or getting back inside the house. Once you close off the weak spots in the property, it would be much easier to eliminate mice. Caulking and steel wool work best to block these entrances off.
Entry points could be anything like ventilation, plumbing tubes, defective floors, or holes in the wall. If you can poke a pencil through an entrance, a mouse can squeeze itself inside. They can also gnaw through most materials like wood, concrete, and soft metals.
Be sure to check on entry points located in your basement or attic. These cozy, out-of-the-way areas are usually undisturbed -- making it perfect for nesting.
2. Eliminate all potential sources of food, water, and nesting materials.
Unclean houses feel welcoming to mice. Not only can they move freely amidst the clutter, but they can easily gather resources unnoticed. They can eat crumbs off the floor, drink from leaky pipes, and make their nests with shredded scrap paper.
A mouse won’t have a reason to stay long on your property if they don’t have access to any basic resources. By keeping your home clean, you keep rodent visits short. Be sure to do the following:
- Sweep floors and countertops regularly
- Keep garbage cans sealed tightly
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets
- Dispose of any leftover pet food
- Wash the dishes at night
- Store all food in airtight containers or glass jars
Maintaining your outdoor area is also key because mice have no problem living in the open. Trim down your shrubs and overgrown grass to prevent them from nesting there. You should also turn over your compost piles and store firewood 20 feet away from your home as well.
3. Use traps, poison baits, or bait stations.
When used effectively, traps and baits would work wonders alongside mouse repellents. Mouse traps are still considered the most effective and humane way to eliminate mice. There are other trapping products available if you prefer to capture and release the rodents instead. Bait stations are also a good option as they can lure and hold several mice at once.
Choosing the right bait can be tricky. Contrary to popular belief, cheese is not inviting to mice. They much prefer grains or nuts so a dab of sticky peanut butter on a trap works well. If you want to exterminate mice quickly, there is also poison bait to consider since mice will unknowingly bring back poisoned bait to share with the rest of their colony.
Once you have prepared your bait and trap combination, place these traps all over. Focus on secluded areas like the basement, attic, and garage because the mice will feel like their travel routes are limited. Hopefully, this cuts them off from food long enough to tempt them towards your bait.
Keep Your Property Mice-Free With Positive Pest Management
Unfortunately, even the best DIY solutions and repellents can’t handle large rodent infestations. Positive Pest Management will work with you to handle your mouse problems.
As a specialist in pest control for commercial, residential, and industrial properties, Positive Pest Management deals with rodents daily. We’re committed to finding permanent, cost-effective ways to free your property from pests. Call us for an initial property inspection.
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