Best Mouse Repellent (2026): What Actually Keeps Mice and Rats Out

The mouse repellent that works best is a sealed house. The CDC says to find how mice got in and seal it, take away their food, and trap the mice already inside, and UC IPM calls exclusion "the most successful and permanent form of house mouse control". A repellent can make a space less attractive; it does not remove mice already inside and it does not replace sealing gaps. So our best overall pick is not a scent: it is Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric, a stainless steel wool fabric for plugging the holes (it will not rust the way plain steel wool does, and ICWDM names it for small gaps). For mice inside now, the Tomcat Press 'N Set snap trap, which four testers recommend. For a shed, camper or stored car, Fresh Cab pouches, a repellent whose label carries an EPA registration number.

Ultrasonic plug-ins have little evidence behind them (UC IPM, ICWDM, Missouri Extension and the FTC; details below), and no repellent holds rats for long.

Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It does not change what we recommend or what you pay. Availability was checked on Amazon on September 28, 2026 and can change; we do not print prices because they move, so every "Check price" link shows today's.

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Best mouse and rat repellents at a glance

Which tool for which situation

How we chose these

We did not hands-on test these products. We compared each pick's Amazon listing and, where one exists, its maker page, label or safety data sheet against what extension services, the CDC, EPA and the FTC publish, and against the testers who did use them: Popular Mechanics and Good Housekeeping on traps, Family Handyman on repellents and Bob Vila on ultrasonic units.

Our rules: a full pick had to be in stock on Amazon on September 28, 2026; no poison baits and no glue traps; a repellent had to state on its label where to use it and how long it lasts. Two notes: Good Housekeeping tested Victor's M250S electronic trap and Popular Mechanics named it its best electric trap, but its listings were out of stock, so pick 4 is Victor's current electronic trap, the CM250B, a sibling they did not test. And no tester reviews sealing materials, so picks 1 and 2 rest on extension specifications.

The best mouse repellents and traps, by job

1. Xcluder Rodent Control Fill Fabric, Large DIY Kit: best overall

Check price. The kit holds a 4 inch x 5 foot roll of fill fabric, shears and work gloves. The fabric is coarse stainless steel wool woven with poly fibers, and the listing says it was tested by the USDA's APHIS lab. You pack it into gaps around pipes, cables and cracks, the way ICWDM says to use stainless steel or copper wool.

Why it is the pick: UC IPM says to keep mice out by eliminating all gaps and openings larger than 1/4 inch, and warns that steel wool scouring pads make good temporary plugs but may rust over time. Xcluder's maker says its stainless fabric will not rust or stain, and ICWDM names Copper Stuff-Fit and Xcluder fabric for sealing small crevices and gaps. For a lasting repair, the CDC puts caulk around the fill. For the gap under a door, which the handbook keeps to 1/4 inch or less, Xcluder also sells a low-profile door sweep that its listing says seals gaps up to 1 inch.

Where it loses: no tester has reviewed it. It is for small openings: the Nebraska handbook backs holes 3 inches or larger with 1/4 inch hardware cloth before patching, which is pick 2's job.

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2. DWALE 1/4 Inch Welded Hardware Cloth, 19 Gauge, 48 in: best for big holes and rat burrow barriers

Check price. A 48 inch x 50 foot roll of welded 1/4 inch mesh in 19 gauge galvanized steel wire that the listing says cuts with scissors. The title says chicken wire fencing, but the listing describes welded hardware cloth, not the lightweight chicken wire UC IPM warns against.

The Nebraska handbook specifies 24 gauge, 1/4 inch hardware cloth to exclude mice and 19 gauge, 1/2 inch mesh to exclude rats; this roll has the smaller mesh and the 19 gauge wire. The width is for burrowing rats: the handbook's barriers go at least 36 inches below ground, or shallower with a horizontal ledge at least 1 foot out (its drawing shows 2 feet down and 1 foot out). A 48 inch roll covers either one with about a foot left above ground to fasten to the structure (our arithmetic: 36 + 12, or 24 + 12 + 12). For mice alone, ICWDM shows 1/4 inch hardware cloth fixed at the top of a crawl space and buried 16 inches.

Where it loses: no tester has reviewed it and we found no maker page, so figures are from the listing, which mentions both hot-dip galvanizing and a vinyl coating, and has one bullet that says 1.4 inch mesh while the rest say 1/4 inch; check what arrives. The Nebraska handbook cautions that mesh finer than 1/2 inch cuts air flow on ventilation openings, and UC IPM asks for heavier 16 gauge, 1/2 inch wire cloth on vent grills. Buried wire mesh curtain walls generally last only 5 to 10 years, the handbook says.

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3. Tomcat Press 'N Set Mouse Trap: best snap trap for mice

Check price. This listing is four packs of two traps. You press the set bar until it clicks, and a grab tab lets you drop mouse and trap in the trash untouched. The CDC recommends traditional snap traps, and this is the one the testers agree on: Popular Mechanics named it best overall after it served them through an aggressive infestation; Good Housekeeping's testers named it the best clam-style snap trap and noted its fast one-touch set; Bob Vila's tester says it is easy to set and clean up after.

Set it the way Tomcat and the CDC say: a pea-sized dab of bait, the bait end against the wall, in places with droppings or gnaw marks. UC IPM says house mice seldom travel more than 30 feet from their nest and food, so space traps no more than about 10 feet apart where they are active.

Where it loses: it is a kill trap with strong jaws: Tomcat says to keep it out of reach of kids and pets, and Good Housekeeping and Bob Vila both flag it for caution around children and pets. Good Housekeeping calls it a good choice for mild infestations and not one to buy in volume, since it costs more per trap than wooden snap traps; for a serious infestation its specialists advise at least six traps and often a dozen or more. Our guide to the best mouse traps has a 12-pack for that, plus electric, covered and live-catch traps. Testers disagree on reuse: Popular Mechanics says it cannot be used more than once, Bob Vila's tester says dozens of times.

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4. Victor Electronic Mouse Trap: best no-see, no-touch trap

Check price. For anyone who will not handle a snap trap. A mouse walks into the tunnel, beveled columns hold it over the plates, and a high-voltage shock kills it. A green light shows a catch and a red light a low battery, and you empty the chamber without seeing or touching the mouse. Victor's page for this model, the CM250B, adds that it runs on four AA batteries (not included), that the catch light flashes for up to a week, and that the trap shuts off when the lid is opened. It is for indoor use only. Good Housekeeping made Victor's earlier M250S its best overall mousetrap after testing it at home, and Popular Mechanics named the M250S its best electric trap.

Where it loses: it holds one mouse at a time, and Good Housekeeping's testers found cleaning it after every kill tedious and unpleasant and call it not ideal for large infestations. UC IPM says electrocution traps cost considerably more than other traps. The tested model is the M250S, not this one.

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5. Victor Power-Kill Rat Trap, 6 Traps: best rat trap

Check price. Six rat-size plastic snap traps with an oversized trip pedal and a kill bar that sets and releases with one click. The CDC says there are different snap traps for mice and rats, and UC IPM says to work out which you have first, because mice and small juvenile rats often will not trigger a rat trap. Victor's page adds a large bait trough and two mounting holes on the back for fixing the trap to pipes and beams, which suits roof rats: UC IPM sets traps for them aboveground and secured to the surface.

Rats are warier than mice. The CDC says rats fear anything new and suggests pre-baiting, leaving the traps baited but unset until the bait is being eaten. UC IPM places rat traps about 10 to 20 feet apart at right angles to the wall.

Where it loses: no tester has reviewed it; Family Handyman's budget rat trap, Victor's wooden M326, showed limited stock on Amazon on September 28. Six traps is a start; UC IPM says a heavily infested home may need a dozen or more. Our guide to the best rat traps covers a 12-pack of wooden rat traps and electric and self-resetting options. Where children or pets could reach a rat trap, UC IPM puts it inside a box or station, and Victor's own page says to use it with caution.

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6. Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent: best repellent for sheds, RVs and stored cars

Check price. Twelve pouches of plant fiber and balsam fir oil (2.0 percent). Its label carries EPA Registration No. 82016-1, which matters: EPA says a registration number appears only on registered pesticide products, whose registration review includes efficacy studies. The label limits indoor use to non-living areas such as attics, basements, garages, sheds, pantries and barns, and lists enclosed spaces such as autos, RVs, boats and tractors.

How many: for a single-car garage the label's own example is four pouches, and for a pantry one, lasting about 30 days indoors; for a stored camper, boat, truck or car it says four pouches per season, lasting up to 3 months in cold storage. EarthKind's current page recommends 2 to 4 pouches for a garage, replaced every 30 days because garages are high-airflow, 2 to 6 for a shed, 3 for a stored car and 4 to 6 for an RV, where a winterized, sealed RV can stretch a pouch to 90 days; its one pouch per 8 square feet is for attics, basements and storage areas.

Where it loses: ICWDM says little information is available on how well balsam fir oil products work against mice, so treat it as a deterrent, not a cure. The label copy we saved, a Crane Creek Gardens printing (alternate brand name Stay Away), says to keep it out of reach of children and store it where children and pets cannot get to it; EarthKind's current page says it is safe around children and pets when used as directed and that no safety warning is required on the packaging, and Bob Vila agrees. We follow the label.

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7. Mighty Mint Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent Spray: best peppermint spray

Check price. If you want to try peppermint, this is the spray that was tested. Family Handyman made it its best overall mouse repellent after using it at home: it reports a 4 percent peppermint oil concentration and found it worked best in covered, concealed spots such as under the kitchen sink.

Know what you are buying. Mighty Mint's safety data sheet lists it as a 25(b) minimum risk pesticide: EPA exempts those from registration and says it generally does not review such products or their labels. On efficacy, ICWDM says little information is available on mint oil against mice, and an Ask Extension expert answered a homeowner plainly: "Peppermint is not going to deter mice from entering your home." Consumer Reports says peppermint sprays can sometimes deter rodents but need reapplying because they wear off.

Where it loses: pets. The listing says it is safe around dogs, cats and kids when applied as directed, but Family Handyman's own tester says to consider skipping it if you have pets, because peppermint oil can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. The safety data sheet warns it may cause an allergic skin reaction, says to wear protective gloves and to keep it out of reach of children. The smell is strong, Family Handyman adds.

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Also considered: products that missed the list and why

Victor PestChaser Rodent Repellent with Nightlight, 6-Pack. A plug-in ultrasonic unit with a nightlight, and the best value in Bob Vila's researched (not tested) rat repellent roundup. It missed on the ultrasonic evidence below; Bob Vila's own entry notes that ultrasonic sound cannot pass through walls.

Bell+Howell Ultrasonic Pest Repeller, 8 Pack. Bob Vila's tester made this the best value after a month of home use, but found his dog avoided the areas where they were plugged in. It missed on the same evidence. Its listing also says "We are EPA registered", while EPA says an ultrasonic device carries an EPA establishment number, never a registration number, and does not have its claims reviewed before sale.

Bonide Rat Magic Rodent Repellent, 5 lb Granules. Cedarwood, castor, clove and peppermint oil granules sold for rats. Its label says it is exempt from EPA registration under section 25(b), is not for use inside homes or living areas, and needs reapplying after heavy rain or every two weeks. It missed because UC IPM says no repellent has been found to solve a rat problem for more than a very short time.

Mouse Scram Granular Repellent, 3.5 lb. Perimeter granules that the listing says give off an odor mice associate with their dead kin, reapplied every two weeks. It missed because ICWDM says chemical repellents are seldom practical for resolving mouse infestations, and because neither the listing nor the maker page we saved states an EPA registration number or a 25(b) exemption.

Victor Tin Cat Multi-Catch Live Mouse Traps, 2-Pack. The live trap all three trap testers name; the listing says it holds up to 30 mice. It missed for three reasons. The CDC says not to use live traps, because they scare rodents into urinating, which raises your risk of getting sick. UC IPM says relocating house mice is illegal in California without a state permit, and that mice moved half a mile can find their way home. And Amazon listed it as available from a later date on September 28.

Victor Metal Pedal Mouse Traps, 12-Pack. The classic wooden snap trap and Popular Mechanics' budget pick (Good Housekeeping chose Victor's Easy Set version for value). If you need a dozen traps for a serious infestation, this is the pack to buy. It missed as a full pick because Popular Mechanics says it is harder to set than newer traps, and reports users finding it less sensitive and too fragile to reuse.

Grandpa Gus's Mouse Repellent Pouches, 4 Pouches. Peppermint and cinnamon oil pouches, Family Handyman's budget pick; the listing says a pouch lasts up to 30 days. It missed because Family Handyman found its effect can fade quickly with airflow and warns that peppermint can be toxic to cats and dogs.

Great Stuff Pestblock Smart Dispenser. An expanding foam sold for sealing gaps pests use. It missed because UC IPM lists insulating (expanding) foam among the materials that are ineffective for plugging mouse holes, and ICWDM says expanding foam helps with heat loss but will not prevent rodent entry. The CDC uses caulk or spray foam around steel wool to hold it in place.

STUF-FIT Copper Mesh, 100 ft. Copper gauze works for small holes (ICWDM, Nebraska handbook), but this listing shows no product features and its brand field reads "FlyBye Copper Mesh", so we could not confirm it is the Stuf-Fit the handbooks name.

Loraffe Battery Operated Ultrasonic Under Hood Rodent Repellent. A battery unit with ultrasound and flashing LEDs, zip-tied under the hood. Bob Vila's tester found it easy to install and silent, but reports no result on rodents. It missed on the ultrasonic evidence; Consumer Reports, on cars, cites the devices' limited range and the FTC's warnings.

Gap sizes: what a mouse and a rat can get through

The short answer: seal every opening larger than 1/4 inch, which UC IPM says excludes both rats and mice. Then match the material to the hole.

Do mouse repellents work?

None of the extension, CDC or EPA pages we read says any repellent clears an infestation.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers work?

The evidence says no, or not for long. UC IPM says house mice quickly become accustomed to regularly repeated sounds, that ultrasound is directional, does not penetrate behind objects and loses intensity with distance, and that there is little evidence any sound, magnetic or vibrational device drives established mice or rats from buildings. ICWDM says rodents may be repelled from the immediate area for a few days and does not recommend commercial units as a solution to infestations; Missouri Extension agrees, and Cornell's IPM program reports that scientific evaluations found no effect on rodents. In 2001 the FTC warned more than 60 makers and sellers that efficacy claims must be backed by scientific evidence; its earlier complaints alleged that rodents become accustomed to ultrasound and return.

Pets hear it: the University of Arizona notes that dogs hear ultrasonic sound, and Bob Vila's tester saw his dog react to his top-rated plug-in right away.

Does peppermint oil keep mice away?

There is little to show it does. An Ask Extension expert put it plainly: "Peppermint is not going to deter mice from entering your home." ICWDM and Consumer Reports are under pick 7, and Orkin says there is little evidence for the long-term effect of natural deterrents. If you use it, use it as Family Handyman did, in a closed cabinet or under a sink, not across an open room.

Are mouse repellents safe for cats and dogs?

Scent repellents need care. The ASPCA says concentrated essential oils can be a danger for pets, and to keep oils out of paws' reach. Its professional guidance notes that cats may be more sensitive to oils on the skin because they groom themselves. If you think a pet has been exposed to a repellent or poison, the ASPCA says to contact your veterinarian or its Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

How to keep mice out of your house for good

1. Seal before fall. UC IPM says outdoor house mice frequently move indoors in autumn when nights turn colder, so fall is the time for the seal-up (our garden winterizing guide covers the rest of the fall list). The CDC's places to look include under and behind kitchen cabinets, pipes under sinks and to the water heater, dryer vents, the attic, basement and crawl space, and doors and windows without weather stripping, plus the garage and outbuildings.
2. Take away the food. The CDC says to keep food in thick plastic, metal or glass containers with tight lids and not to leave pet food out overnight.
3. Take away the shelter outside. The CDC keeps compost bins at least 100 feet from the house (our compost tumbler guide compares closed bins), and moves woodpiles 100 feet or more away with the wood raised at least a foot off the ground (a firewood rack handles the second part). It also keeps bird feeders away from the house, and our squirrel-proof bird feeder guide covers where to hang one.

For runways in the lawn and chewed bulbs, see our mole and vole repellent guide; UC IPM treats voles, or meadow mice, in a separate pest note from house mice.

Best rat repellent: what actually works on rats

The best "rat repellent" you can buy is 1/4 inch hardware cloth (pick 2) plus a rat-size trap (pick 5). UC IPM says rats have an initial aversion to some odors and tastes, but no repellent has been found to solve a rat problem for more than a very short time, and ICWDM says ultrasound will not evict rats established in an area.

• Know which rat you have. UC IPM says Norway rats burrow along foundations and stay low in a house; roof rats nest high in attics and wall voids.
• Build them out. UC IPM calls exclusion the most successful and longest-lasting strategy and says to seal all holes larger than 1/4 inch. Against burrowing, bury hardware cloth to the Nebraska handbook's depth (see pick 2 and the gap table); it is the practical barrier for an existing shed or deck.
• Take away the habitat. UC IPM stores firewood and lumber off the ground, picks up fallen fruit and nuts, keeps compost in rigid plastic or metal containers with tight lids (adding that rats can gnaw through plastic), and removes tree limbs within 6 feet of the roof.
• Trap with rat-size traps. Pick 5, baited but unset at first (CDC).

Two things UC IPM advises against around homes: smoke or gas cartridges in rat burrows, because the burrows can run under the house and the gas can seep in, and live trapping rats, which it does not recommend for nonprofessionals because trapped rats must by law be euthanized or released where they were caught.

Mouse repellent for cars

The CDC says rodents nest in cars, trucks and campers, especially ones driven infrequently. Consumer Reports says the most important thing is keeping them away, and that snap traps in the garage or around the car are the easiest and most effective method. Its other advice: park in a closed, sealed garage, away from trash cans and nesting material, never leave food in the car, and drive it regularly. UC IPM suggests a weighted car cover that touches the ground all around, and an Ask Extension expert suggests parking a stored camper on hard concrete away from rodent habitat.

For the engine bay itself, Consumer Reports describes Honda's capsaicin-treated rodent-deterrent tape (part 4019-2317, which Amazon showed in limited stock on September 28) wrapped around key wires, and metal mesh across openings into the air intake, kept clear of moving parts and exhaust. Fresh Cab's label covers autos in storage at four pouches per season. On ultrasonic under-hood units, see the Loraffe entry above.

If mice have moved in, the CDC says to air the car out for 20 minutes with the hood, doors and trunk open, disconnect the battery before inspecting the engine bay, check the air intakes and filters, and never vacuum or pressure-wash droppings before disinfecting them. Consumer Reports' chief mechanic says chewed wires need a professional assessment.

Why this guide does not recommend poison or glue traps

Poison. EPA's 2008 risk mitigation decision limited consumer rodenticides to packages of one pound or less, took the four second-generation anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum and difethialone) out of products for homeowners, and required tamper- and weather-resistant bait stations for outdoor, above-ground placements where children, pets and wildlife may be present. EPA says those four pose greater risks to nontarget animals. Today EPA requires consumer products to be sold with bait stations and in block or paste form; loose bait is no longer permitted. EPA also warns that pets and wildlife can be poisoned by eating rodents that ate bait. The ASPCA says rodenticides make its top 10 list of pet toxins every year and that dogs will chew open bait stations, and UC IPM notes that poisoned house mice often die inside the building. The CDC keeps poison bait stations for infestations that persist, and says that if trapping does not resolve the infestation you could consider a poison bait station or seek professional help.

Glue traps. The CDC says not to use glue traps or live traps, because they scare rodents into urinating, which raises your chance of getting sick. Good Housekeeping left them out as inhumane and surprisingly ineffective, and UC IPM says adult rodents often detect the glue, so glue boards catch mostly young mice.

How to clean up after mice safely

The CDC's steps (rodent diseases mainly spread through contaminated air):

1. In a home or an outbuilding such as a cabin, shed or barn, open all doors and windows for 30 minutes before cleaning, and leave the area during that time.
2. Wear rubber or plastic gloves. Do not vacuum or sweep rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials.
3. Spray urine and droppings with a bleach solution (the CDC's mix is 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, made fresh) or an EPA-registered disinfectant until very wet, and let it soak for 5 minutes or as the label says.
4. Wipe up with paper towels and throw them in a covered garbage can, then mop or sponge the area with disinfectant, including countertops, cabinets and drawers.
5. For a dead mouse or a nest, spray the rodent, the nest and the area around it with disinfectant and let it soak for 5 minutes or as the label says. Then put it in a plastic bag with any used traps, knot the bag, put it in a second bag, knot that, and throw it in a covered garbage can. The CDC also suggests insect repellent on clothing, shoes and hands against fleas while you handle dead rodents and nests.
6. Wash gloved hands with soap and water or a disinfectant before removing the gloves, then wash your hands with soap and warm water.

A word from the people who wrote this

We are Spear Head Spade, and we make double-patented digging spades, not pest control, so no product of ours is on this list. The one job a spade does here is the trench for a buried hardware cloth barrier, at the depths given under pick 2. If you are choosing a spade for that, our spade finder matches one to your soil.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep mice away permanently?

Seal them out. UC IPM calls exclusion the most successful and permanent form of house mouse control: close every gap and opening larger than 1/4 inch with materials mice cannot chew, such as steel wool or stainless fill fabric with caulk, and hardware cloth for larger holes. Then keep food in sealed containers and trap any mice already inside.

What smells do rats hate?

The smells sold or recommended as rat repellents include peppermint, eucalyptus and ammonia (Mosquito Joe, which warns that strong fumes like ammonia can be harmful to people and pets), balsam fir (Fresh Cab), cedarwood, castor, clove and peppermint oils (Bonide Rat Magic's label) and capsaicin, the heat in chili peppers (Honda's rodent tape, per Consumer Reports). None lasts: UC IPM says rats have an initial aversion to some odors and tastes, but no repellent has been found to solve a rat problem for more than a very short time.

How do I know the mice are gone?

The CDC's test: keep trapping until no rodents are caught for a week and there are no new signs, such as fresh droppings, urine spots or gnawing. If new droppings keep appearing after a week, it says you may be dealing with rats, which are more cautious around traps.

Do mouse repellents work in the living areas of a house?

Not the ones on this page. Fresh Cab's label limits indoor use to non-living areas such as attics, basements, garages and pantries, Bonide Rat Magic's label says it is not for use inside homes or living areas, and ICWDM finds little information on mint oil against mice. In a kitchen or bedroom, seal the gaps and trap.

Do mothballs or ammonia keep mice away?

Neither is a good answer. Consumer Reports, writing about cars, says mothballs under the hood may help for a brief time but are not a long-term solution, and Orkin says ammonia is hazardous to use around kids and animals. The extension services and the CDC put sealing and trapping first.