Mice in the garden or home can be a major pest problem. Having plants that mice won’t eat can be a solution. If there is no food source, there is no need for a mouse to hang out or make a home in your garden. I use these suggestions for plants that will be safe from nibbling mice and some that can actually help repel the creatures
What plants don’t mice like?
Most gardeners are worried about larger pests, such as deer and raccoons , eating their plants or vegetable crops. Mice can also be a big problem. They may be small, but mice can make quick work of the plants you’ve worked hard to grow and nurture.
Mice like to nibble on bulbs . You hope it blooms in the spring. You may think it’s a mole or a squirrel, but often the bulb culprit ruining your spring garden is a mouse. Bulb plants that are safe from mice include:
- Daffodils
- snowdrops
- Chionodoxa Glory of the Snow
- Fritillaria
- Siberian wood squill
- Camassia
- Muscari Grape Hyacinth
There is mixed evidence that mice eat allium bulbs , but they definitely enjoy eating all tulip , crocus , iris varieties and most types of hyacinth .
Plants that repel mice
If you have a problem with mice in your home or garden, you may want to consider growing some plants that will keep them away. This can be a cruelty-free way to control a mouse population and a way to avoid traps. Here are some mouse-repelling plant ideas for indoor and outdoor containers or beds:
- Catnip : Catnip can also bring mouse-catching cats into your garden.
- most herbs : Mints and lavender are especially good.
- Garlic and Onions: Garlic and onions both have strong odors that mice do not like.
There are also some natural ways to protect the plants in your garden that mice insist on feasting on. Blood meal in the soil for example, will add nutrients and also keep rodents away from buried bulbs.
Cayenne pepper sprinkled on bulbs or plants will deter mice after tasting or even smelling them. Your local garden store may also sell specific products to deter mice.