Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice? We Asked a Pest Expert What They Recommend Instead

If you’re dealing with a mice infestation in your home, you’re certainly not alone. Many people, whether they’re living in houses or apartments, have dealt with mice at one point or another and have experienced your frustration. While it can sometimes be difficult to get mice to up and leave for good, there are a few expert-approved solutions that you will want to consider trying, if you haven’t already.

Here, a pest prevention pro speaks to the effectiveness of a few common solutions in particular, citing some that you probably won’t want to embrace (like using dryer sheets) as well as others that are much more successful (creating sprays using common household ingredients).

Do Dryer Sheets Repel Mice?

Dryer sheets can be thought to repel mice, but the truth is that they are not really all that effective in doing so, and you’re much better off turning to one of the more reliable solutions outlined further below.

“They’re more of a speed bump than a stop sign,” Nicole Carpenter, the president at Black Pest Prevention, explains.

While dryer sheets do tend to have a strong smell to humans, Carpenter notes, mice are quick to adapt to this scent.

“Don’t expect miracles,” she says. “Think of dryer sheets as air fresheners, not barriers.”

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Signs of a Mice Infestation

• Pets start acting differently. Your pets may be able to tell if there are mice inside your home long before you do, Carpenter explains. If your dog starts to stare, sniff, or paw at your walls or appliances, this may mean that a mouse is right nearby.
• You come across droppings. Mouse droppings are the most obvious signs of an infestation in your home. Look out for droppings that are black and small—they’ll almost look like grains of rice, Carpenter explains. You may find these in drawers or along walls.
• Chewed insulation. Mice like to chew on insulation, and this is a sign that they are nesting, not just snacking, Carpenter says.
• Grease marks along your baseboards. This might mean that a given area is experiencing a lot of mouse traffic, Carpenter states.
• A musty, sour smell. Trust your nose. According to Carpenter, this type of scent is a final clue that a nest might be nearby.

Natural Alternative Ways to Deter Mice

• Scatter cloves and bay leaves around. Carpenter notes that mice strongly dislike both of these herbs, so placing them in drawers and cabinets is an excellent hack. As a bonus, she adds, humans are not deterred by these types of scents, so you don’t need to worry about disrupting your own routine or safety as a result.
• Mix hot pepper flakes and cayenne. This mixture is also easy to procure and will help to steer mice away. Just mix together hot pepper flakes, cayenne, a bit of water, and a little bit of dish soap. Then, spray the solution around your home’s baseboards, door frames, and entry points, Carpenter offers. “It irritates mice’s senses without harming them,” she says.
• Play the radio in empty rooms of the home. It might seem silly, but playing a talk radio station in the unused your home that mice may frequent can be a great way to get them to leave, Carpenter says, noting that they do not like this type of disruption.
• Use steel wool to seal gaps. Steel wool and caulk will work wonders in helping to seal the gaps in your home that mice like to sneak through.
• Use airtight food storage containers. Do not make it easy for mice to access your snacks. Instead, keep everything in airtight plastic or glass containers that critters cannot get into, Carpenter says. As a bonus, this method will keep your food tasting fresher, too.