MICE IDEA!
I tried viral hacks to banish mice – a £1.50 buy was a game-changer but a cupboard essential was just a mess
One of the hacks is said to be like 'kryptonite to mice'
WE had just managed to get rid of the pesky flies taking over our kitchen when we realised our flat had a new unwelcome tenant - mice.
Our London-based rented property is not the only one suffering with these pests - according to , every year there an astronomical 80,000 callouts for mice.
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The vast majority of these callouts are based in the Greater London area, but other towns and cities are also affected.
When searching for their ideal rent-free '''home'', the four-legged foodies will usually choose a place where their activities are mainly undisturbed.
Another requirement is relatively access to snacks - which they will usually go on a hunt for during night-time or early hours of the morning when it's quiet.
Although there are numerous ways to tackle the problem, such as using soap, many of these tend to be unethical - which doesn't sit well with me.
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During my time here, at Fabulous, I've covered and come across different TikTok-praised hacks for keeping mice at bay - but how many, if any, actually work?
I spent the last week testing out some of the most popular ethical and budget-friendly tricks to make the mice run away - here's how I got on...
Peppermint oil & cotton balls
Similarly to house flies that find certain aromas repulsive, I very quickly learnt that mice, too, will steer clear of a number of scents, including peppermint oil.
The trick here was pretty straightforward - I dipped a few cotton pads in the essential oil and placed the DIY repellent near the areas we thought the rodents were sneaking in from, as well as next to the bread bowl.
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Unfortunately, this proved to be a total flop, as I came back next morning and found the tiny slice of bread shredded to pieces.
One expert, Jordan Foster from , recently explained why this may have been the case - and why you're better off trying a different alternative.
My 2p hack to keep mice out - it costs barely anything from all hardware stores & will keep the little critters from running in
According to the whizz - who also advised to not waste your time with mothballs - the smell, though strong, will fade pretty fast.
"Smells, like gases, tend to rise, whereas mice tend to stay hidden low at ground level. Therefore, the chances of peppermint and mice being a workable solution are quite slim.”
Mice rating: 0/10
Time to get spicy
Another just as popular method I stumbled across was sprinkling a hit of cayenne pepper, a cupboard essential that sells for around a quid at most supermarkets, such as ASDA.
While there is no scientific evidence that the purse-friendly hack works, the spicy and pungent smell is thought to cause a burning sensation when digested or inhaled.
Given that this rodent-banishing trick cost me just £1 from the local Sainsbury's, I was amazed to see that the bit of bread I had left out had remained untouched - or at least, not munched on.
Although the hack worked like a charm, I will point out that it made me sneeze - which is why I will remove two stars.
Mice rating: 8/10.
£1.50 household bargain
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Recently, one savvy woman hit the headlines after sharing her totally bizarre trick which involved using a metal scrubber to oust the pesky rodents.
In the video, the TikTok user explained that she put the stainless steel scourers at the entrances, making it impossible for the teeny rodents to barge their way into the room.
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
“Apparently mice don’t like them so it’ll save you money on having to hire pest control, and it’s a little bit more humane as trust me you don’t want to have to wake up every single morning cleaning up dead mice from mice traps,'' she said.
Armed with a few metal scrubbers, I scattered them around the holes and gaps in our kitchen - and to my surprise, they looked unmoved the following day.
Although this £1.50 trick won't prevent them from entering your home in the first place, if they can't get to the food source - the pests won't stick around.
Mice rating: 10/10
Cloves
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Some people have found that, just like peppermint oil, the strong scent of cloves is also enough to keep the rodents at bay.
To use this cooking ingredient as a cheap repellent, you can place whole cloves - or clove essential oil - by enter points, which include near windows, doors and corners of rooms.
Unfortunately, this trick proved to be yet another disaster, as the four-legged invaders were clearly not put off by the pungent and overwhelming aroma.
Additional minus points for a messy clean-up - don't bother.
Mice rating: -1/10.
Kitchen foil
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Not too impressed with the low success rate of cupboard essentials, I then tried a lesser-known way - aluminium foil, which is said to be like ''kryptonite to mice''.
''There's something about it that is unnatural to them, and they steer clear of it,'' explained the experts at .
Following instructions, I placed a few sheets of the shiny foil near the entrance points - as well as by the bread basket to be on the safe side.
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Although it was a bit odd to see my kitchen covered in the silver material, I was chuffed with the cost-effective hack - no more shredded toast.
Mice rating: 9/10.
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