The best way to deal with mice is to keep the rodents out of your house to begin with. Once mice are established inside your home, you'll probably have to trap them to get rid of them. If you have a large infestation, you may need to call an exterminator for help. Before things get to that stage, you can try to deter mice naturally. Here are a few things to try.

Use Plants That Discourage Mice

Try placing plants around the foundation of your home that will discourage mice from getting close. This includes plants that have a strong odor, thorns, or other repellent quality, such as hot pepper plants. However, since you'll want a plant that is attractive around your home and easy to grow, you may want to consider spearmint. Spearmint has a pleasant smell to humans, especially when it is rustled by the breeze. However, since mice don't seem to like strong smells, they may stay away from your home if it is surrounded by spearmint plants.

Leave Evidence of Cats in the Home

If you have a cat, you can save some used kitty litter and place it around the outside of your home. Another option is to fill a nylon stocking with the used litter and hang it inside your basement or attic. If mice pick up on the cat smell, they may decide it is too risky to hang around your house. If you don't have a cat, you could plant some catnip outdoors so neighborhood cats will pass through your yard and leave their scent behind.

Try Peppermint Oil Indoors

While strong odors such as ammonia or moth balls may work on mice, they won't be pleasant for you either. Instead, you can try using peppermint oil. You can buy peppermint oil at a health food store. Use it full strength on cotton balls placed in your cabinets and areas where mice would be attracted. The cotton balls dry out fast, so you'll need to add more oil every few days. You can also add the oil to your cleaning products so you can spread the smell around every day when you clean. The side benefit is the oil gives your home a fresh, pleasant smell.

In addition to these natural methods, you must also keep food in tight containers and keep clutter out of your home. If a mouse is cold or hungry, it will be determined to get inside your warm home, especially if it smells food. Be sure to block entrance points around vents and pipes to keep the rodents outdoors as well as possible. If you already see mice in your home, it may be too late to rely on natural means to get rid of them. Since rodents are destructive and carry diseases, it's best to take action quickly to exterminate them once they've invaded your home. Look for mice extermination in Westchester County, NY or in your local area.