How can I fight mice in an apartment using folk methods? - briefly
Use natural repellents like peppermint‑oil‑soaked cotton balls, dried chili flakes, and ultrasonic emitters while sealing cracks with steel wool and caulk. Deploy humane traps baited with peanut butter and keep the apartment free of food scraps to deter rodents.
How can I fight mice in an apartment using folk methods? - in detail
Traditional, low‑tech approaches can reduce rodent activity in a rented flat without chemicals or professional services.
First, eliminate food sources. Store dry goods in airtight containers, clean crumbs promptly, and keep trash sealed. Second, remove shelter. Seal gaps around pipes, baseboards, and window frames with steel wool and caulk; mice cannot gnaw through metal. Third, use natural repellents. Soak cotton balls in peppermint oil, place them in corners, cupboards, and behind appliances; the strong scent deters foraging. Alternatively, scatter dried cloves or crushed garlic in entry points; both emit volatile compounds rodents avoid.
Fourth, set up homemade traps. A bucket trap consists of a tall container, a ramp made from a piece of wood, and a bait such as peanut butter. When the mouse climbs for food, it falls into the bucket and cannot escape. Another option is a snap trap fashioned from a sturdy wire coat hanger: bend the hanger into a “U” shape, attach a small piece of cheese as bait, and tension the ends with a rubber band. Both devices rely on mechanical action, not poison.
Fifth, employ predator cues. Place dried catnip or a few drops of feline urine near suspected pathways; the scent signals danger and can interrupt foraging routes. Sixth, introduce beneficial insects. Certain beetles and centipedes prey on small rodents; releasing a modest number in a concealed corner may add pressure on the population.
Finally, maintain vigilance. Inspect traps daily, replace baits, and re‑apply repellents every few days as the scent fades. Consistent sanitation combined with these folk techniques creates an environment that is unattractive to mice and often eliminates an infestation without professional intervention.