Have you ever opened your kitchen cabinet to find tiny droppings or noticed your pantry items have been chewed on?
If you have, then you know how frustrating it can be to have mice invade your home.
While there are numerous ways to get rid of mice, have you ever considered using Pine Sol? Yes, you read that right – the popular cleaning solution might just be the answer to keeping mice away.
While Pine-Sol has a strong scent that may deter mice temporarily, it is not a reliable or effective long-term solution for keeping mice away. Mice are highly adaptable and can become accustomed to odors over time.
In this blog post, we’ll explore does pine sol keep mice away and whether it’s worth adding to your mouse-prevention arsenal.
So, stick around to learn more.
What Is Pine-Sol Made Of?
The ingredients that makeup pine sol are water, sodium carbonate, fragrance, polyphenol, oil blend, sodium lauryl sulfate, and colorants.
It also has hydroxyethylcellulose and C10-12 alcohol ethoxylates or PEG/PPG propylheptyl ether.
Pine sol’s scent is real pine, while the fragrance is the essential oil from pine. Pine Soil can be used on various surfaces apart from worn-out, unsealed, oiled, or waxed wood, aluminum, or marble.
Does Pine Sol Keep Mice Away?
While Pine-Sol’s strong scent might temporarily deter mice, it is unlikely to provide a long-term solution. Mice are resilient and adaptable creatures that can navigate through scents and find alternative routes.
It is recommended to focus on proven methods for mouse control, such as sealing entry points, setting traps, or employing professional pest control services. These strategies target the root of the problem and offer more reliable results in managing mouse infestations.
Also read: Does bleach repel mice?
How To Repel Mice Using Pine Sol
Follow these steps to repel mice using pine sol successfully.
1. Mix Pine Sol With Water
Diluting pine sol is an essential step because using it in its pure state can damage some surfaces like limestone structures and raw timber. Therefore, create a suitable solution by mixing pine sol (6 spoons) with water (1 liter) in a container.
2. Transfer The Pine Sol Solution To Your Spray Bottle
Once you are finished thoroughly mixing the water and pine sol solution, transfer the mixture into a spray bottle for easy application.
In addition, make sure the nozzle of the spray bottle discharges the solution in a fine mist. This will ensure you do not stain the surface.
3. Spray The Pine Sol Solution In Different Areas
Before spraying pine sol around your property, you must locate the places frequented by mice to improve this repellent’s effectiveness.
The pungent smell of pine sol will work against mice for around 8 to 12 hours after application.
Also read: Peppermint oil for Mice
Reapplication will likely be necessary to ensure you deter all the mice in your home. If that’s the case, repeat all these steps.
Also read: Does irish spring soap keep mice away?
Common Hiding Areas For Mice
To help identify where to apply pine sol, below are the common areas mice love to hide.
a) Pantries and Kitchen Cabinets
Your kitchen is a pleasant environment for mice because it provides a continuous food supply. Your pantry and kitchen cabinets are especially easy places for these rodents to find food, especially during winter when there’s food scarcity outside.
Mice will chew through your food containers, packages, and bags to access food. They commonly hide in air ducts, under or behind the stove and kitchen cabinet, behind or under the dishwasher, and the fridge.
b) Storage Boxes
Mice can make a home out of a cardboard box by chewing its side to create a hole. They will commonly choose storage boxes kept in areas with minimal traffic, like the undisturbed areas of a garage, basement, attic, and closets.
c) Inside Walls
Inside your home’s walls provide mice with perfect habitat because they can move around your house unnoticed and build nests with the help of insulation.
Related: How to get rid of mice in walls fast
These rodents will gravitate towards parts of the wall near a heat source, like the water heater and furnace.
Mice enter walls by chewing through an opening or squeezing through an existing gap. The indoor air in your home will resemble ammonia if these rodents make their way to the ductwork, making you susceptible to diseases such as the hantavirus.
d) Inside Furniture
Your living room furniture may not be conducive for mice, but they can nest inside those kept in the attic and basement. The cushioned furniture you keep outside can also help keep them warm in the winter.
e) Underneath Sinks
Mice will likely hide under sinks during the day as it keeps them out of your sight. A leaking sink is particularly remarkable since these rodents can drink the water.
f) Closets
Your closet, mainly the back side, offers mice excellent hiding spots since they can easily build nests using different fabrics.
g) Attic
The clutter in your attic can shelter mice and keep them from the cold. It is a perfect area for mice because you do not visit the attic daily.
h) Basement
Plenty of suitable hiding spots for mice exist in basements and even garages because it is a low-traffic area. It gets much better if you keep garbage and food here.
You’ll commonly find mice under clutter, in your car, especially during winter, in storage boxes, and close to the heater.
i) Bedroom
Mice will visit a bedroom you don’t use every day. In addition, this can happen if the mice population in your home is extensive or you keep food nearby.
Conclusion
You can repel mice using pine sol by spraying in places they often stay or visit, like the above-discussed areas. Ensure you handle this cleaning agent carefully, ensuring your kids and pets don’t touch it.
Also, clean your hands after handling a pine sol product, and do not inhale it when spraying. Pine sol can also be great for keeping away hornets, wasps, bees, and yellow jackets.
I’m Mike Hyle, an exterminator with 7+ years of experience handling all sorts of pests, including mice, cockroaches, bed bugs, and termites. I also write for Pest Solutions DIY blog to share my knowledge and help homeowners keep their homes pest-free. Outside work, I enjoy hunting, snowshoeing, and exploring nature. Check out my blog for helpful pest control tips!