The Peppermint Cure

I like mice. I think they're cute! I don't scream and jump on chairs when I see them. I usually catch them, show them to the kiddos and then release them at the back of my property.

I don't like mice. They're filthy. They poop everywhere and make a lot of noise in my attic when I'm trying to sleep. I have no problem trapping them and releasing their dead, squished bodies to a plastic bag and throwing them away.

Well....actually, I do have a problem. I hate setting those traps. I also don't want the mice in my house to begin with. But, I live in the country. I live next to a farm field. They're par for the course.

I'm not keen on poisoning the boogers. That just makes them die in my walls and stink the house up until their carcasses rot thoroughly. I also had a problem a couple years ago of them carrying the poison around and depositing it where my dog or my children could get to it! Boy, was that scary!

So, everyone says peppermint! Mice hate peppermint. The thought of sprinkling peppermint around my house isn't really intriguing to me, but I do have other ideas. I'm wondering if I should start cleaning my house with my cleaning products infused with peppermint oil. Also, I'm thinking I could plant peppermint around the base of my house outside.

Well, I guess it's worth a try. If that doesn't work, I'll have to either get a cat or hire someone to do a full-on inspection to not only exterminate but also find where the mice are getting in.

Anyone have any other ideas?