Mice have a different sense of smell than humans, so they are capable of perceiving odors that people cannot, including being negatively affected by aromas that are not bothersome in homes. As a result of this, certain products present can drive them away or harm them.
There are a variety of Odors that mice hate Some are repulsive for containing dangerous chemicals, while others suggest the presence of possible predators. If you want to know everything about the smell of mice, don't miss the following article on our site.
The smell of mice
Mice include several species of the Muridae family, rodents that have inhabited the earth since the Miocene; the most common of these is the house mouse (Mus musculus). They perceive odors through the nose, where the olfactory epithelium is located, a membrane responsible for sending information to the olfactory cells, protected by a layer of mucus. When the air particles containing the smell react in this olfactory bulb, they send the collected information to the brain.
Various investigations, such as the one carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León at the University of Salamanca, have shown that the olfactory bulb of mice receives and sends information in such a way that, if there is any obstacle in the nose, the brain issues the order to relax this membrane so that minimal traces of smell can be captured. Similarly, another study, published in the journal The Anatomical Record, showed that mice use their sense of smell and the odors they perceive to organize their social development Due Therefore, when one of them is unable to smell, they are isolated from their peers and develop depression.
Because of this sensitivity, there are scents that mice hate. If you are interested in having a home mouse repellent or, on the contrary, you want to provide a pleasant environment for the rodents that live in your house, you need to know which are the substances that are annoying to them.
What do reasons use their sense of smell for?
Considering that smell is one of the most important senses of mice, one wonders what they use it for. Here are some of its features:
- Allows you to detect the proximity of food.
- Provides an idea about the number of females and males of the species that exist.
- Allows you to recognize if the other mice are adults or pups.
- Offers information on the individuals that are in the breeding season.
- Allows it to detect the presence of predators.
- Offers information about the elements that surround the mouse in a given ecosystem.
- Prevents the intake of toxic substances.
List of smells mice hate
Now that you know what the smell of mice is like and the functions it performs in this animal species, the time has come to learn about the aromas that are usually present in our home and can be really annoying for they. Whether you are interested in knowing how to eliminate mice at home using remedies that are not harmful to them, or if you live with one or more mice and want to offer them the most relaxed environment possible, here is a list ofodors that repel mice
1. Urine from other animals, a natural repellent for mice
The urine of animals of other species is among the main odors that mice do not tolerate. What is this about? Due to its small size, the mouse is easy prey for different animals, such as dogs, wolves, cats, foxes, weasels and snakes, among others. For this reason, you should be careful not to be near territories populated by them.
One way to stay away is to detect, thanks to its nose, the possible presence of predators through scent trails which leaves urine. As a result of these olfactory marks, rodents adopt different attitudes, from avoiding the terrain to crossing it ste althily or staying still if the predator is closer. In this way, the urine of other animals works as one of the odors that repel mice. This can be counterproductive in areas where mice are a major factor in spreading seeds or eating wild plants. Likewise, if you live with mice and other animals, such as dogs or cats, in addition to socializing them all correctly, we recommend cleaning the areas urinated by them well. To do this, we recommend using enzymatic products and avoiding bleach.
two. Spicy sauce, unbearable for mice
Hot sauce, and chili peppers in general, are among the odors that mice hate. This is because chili contains capsaicinoids, natural compounds responsible for giving the spicy effect that distinguishes these foods.
In mammals, including the mouse, these chili compounds lead to an irritating reaction of the olfactory glands, as well as burning in taste buds if ingested. For these reasons, spicy food is unbearable for mice. Likewise, this scent is also part of the list of smells that dogs and other animals can tolerate the least.
3. Mint and spearmint
Mint and spearmint, aromatic plants popular for their gastronomic or decorative use in the home, are home mouse repellents Both plants They have menthol, an organic compound responsible for the fresh aroma they give off, which is highly valued in cosmetic and medicinal products. This menthol, however, is irritating to the nostrils of mice, so they move away from it as soon as they notice it.
If you want to know about other natural repellent products for these animals in order to keep them away from your home but, we insist, without harming them, don't miss this other article: "How to drive away mice?".
4. Ammonia and chlorine, hateful odors for mice
Ammonia is a chemical compound made up of nitrogen. It is characterized by a strong and penetrating smell, which is why it is used in the preparation of cleaning products. Commercial chlorine, for its part, is a chemical compound derived from this natural substance, and is characterized by its antiseptic and disinfectant properties that cause irritation and inflammation of the respiratory tract.
These two compounds are very common in homes, since most cleaning products contain them and, in part, they provide the pungent odor that characterizes them. Due to their irritating effects and the danger of death that their ingestion represents, mice flee from them. For this reason, if you have mice as pets and let them enjoy hours of freedom at home, it is essential to keep these products well out of their reach
5. Perfumes and alcohols
Perfumes are manufactured with different components, including distillates of essential oilsfrom plants and alcohol as a solvent, as well as sulfur and other inorganic compounds.
Due to these reasons, perfumes are characterized by presenting different aromas that are pleasant for humans, but unbearable for most animals, including mice. In these small rodents, irritated nostrils is a common reaction, so they prefer to stay away from these odors.
6. Naphthalene
Naphthalene is one of the odors that mice cannot tolerate. Naphthalene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that has a pungent odour, which is why it is commonly used as a moth repellent. However, this smell is also unbearable for mice, as well as being toxic and lethal when ingested. Its effects include irritation of the nasal passages and inflammation of the lungs
In the same way, naphthalene can be toxic for dogs, cats and children, so we suggest moderation and strict vigilance when using it at home.
Do you know more smells that mice hate?
If you live with mice and have noticed that there are more odors that they hate, don't hesitate to leave your comment to share them and help improve coexistence with these small animals.
On the other hand, we take the opportunity to highlight the moderate and responsible use of any of the products mentioned throughout the article. If you do not live with mice and what interests you is to keep them away from your home, opt for natural remedies that do not harm these animals. Using products in order to end your life is a cruel and unnecessary practice.
