How do you make peppermint for mice? - briefly
Grind fresh peppermint leaves and steep them in warm water (approximately 1 part leaves to 10 parts water) for 10‑15 minutes, then strain the liquid. Apply a few drops of the cooled infusion to the cage bedding or a shallow dish to provide a mild peppermint scent for the rodents.
How do you make peppermint for mice? - in detail
To create a peppermint preparation suitable for use with laboratory or pet mice, follow these precise steps.
Gather materials.
- Fresh peppermint leaves or dried herb (organic, pesticide‑free).
- Distilled water for extraction.
- Food‑grade ethanol (optional, for concentrated oil).
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Glass container with airtight seal.
- Dark glass bottle for storage.
Prepare an aqueous infusion.
- Measure 30 g of fresh leaves (or 15 g dried) per litre of water.
- Bring distilled water to a rolling boil, then remove from heat.
- Submerge the herb, cover, and let steep for 15 minutes.
- Filter the liquid through the strainer, discarding plant material.
- Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Use within 48 hours to retain volatile compounds.
For a more potent extract, produce an ethanol tincture.
- Combine equal parts dried peppermint and 95 % food‑grade ethanol in the glass container (e.g., 100 ml herb, 100 ml alcohol).
- Seal tightly, store in a dark place, and shake daily for 2 weeks.
- After steeping, filter as above.
- Evaporate excess ethanol by leaving the solution uncovered in a well‑ventilated area until the alcohol content reaches 10 % or lower, suitable for rodent consumption.
- Transfer the final concentrate to a dark bottle, label, and keep refrigerated.
Application guidelines.
- Dilute the aqueous infusion 1:4 with drinking water to encourage voluntary intake.
- Add 1 ml of the ethanol‑based concentrate per litre of drinking water if a stronger scent is required.
- Provide the solution in a clean bottle, replace daily to prevent bacterial growth.
- Monitor mice for any adverse reactions; discontinue if signs of distress appear.
Safety considerations.
- Use only food‑grade ethanol; industrial spirits contain toxic additives.
- Do not exceed a 5 % total peppermint concentration in drinking water, as higher levels may reduce palatability.
- Store all preparations away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve aromatic oils.
By adhering to these procedures, you produce a reliable peppermint formulation that can be safely offered to mice for experimental, enrichment, or health‑support purposes.