Can This Cleaning Product Keep Pests Out of Your Indiana House?

There’s a new trend making waves on TikTok where people are using an everyday household cleaner to keep unwanted critters at bay. But does it really work?

If there were an award for collecting DIY tips, my wife would undoubtedly be the winner. When we moved back to rural Indiana earlier this year, we bought a home next to a large open field. Because of this, we’ve encountered our fair share of critters, especially mice. However, last week, my wife found a snake skin in our backyard, which prompted her to take action. She sent me a couple of videos about DIY pest repellents, but one seemed almost too easy and too good to be true.

It’s being claimed that a household cleaner called Pine Sol can deter snakes and mice around your home. Apparently, all you have to do is spray it around your house, and voila, you’re pest-free. Additionally, the cleaner reportedly doesn’t harm your grass, so you won’t need to worry about damaging your lawn. Simple, right?

I decided to dig deeper into the science behind this trend and learned a couple of things in the process. According to Nature Guard, Pine Sol contains several ingredients, including pine oil, surfactants, and fragrance. Pine oil is the key ingredient responsible for the strong scent that supposedly repels mice. However, the website didn’t mention it being effective against snakes. Anyone who’s ever cleaned with Pine Sol knows that the scent doesn’t last forever, so the longevity of this method is questionable.

While Pine Sol may work in the short term, it might not be the best long-term pest deterrent. Nature Guard notes that the strong odor of Pine Sol might not be pleasant for mice, but it could also be displeasing for some humans. Furthermore, the cleaning compound can cause irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. As for me, I’ll probably keep searching for other methods. But if this one works for you and you enjoy the smell of pine, go ahead and give it a try.

Source: Nature Guard