Deploying mint plants to chase away mice

1-9-2026

Mice do not like mint, as appears from research by Belgian pcfruit. It is possible that by planting mint under fruit trees, damage caused by root voles may be reduced. At two locations the researchers set up a trial where under a part of the trees mint was planted and a part remained untreated. The activities of the voles were monitored in the orchard by closing the entrances to their holes at various times in summer and autumn and keeping count of how many were opened again after some time.

The effect of the mint plants was strongest during warm weather conditions. From the start of the summer to the end of September, the mint plants reduced the activities of the voles by 70 to more than 80%. From mid-October the effect was markedly reduced to 26%. It is possible that the reduced growth of the mint plants in combination with a changing behaviour of the voles in autumn is the cause of the reduced efficacy. (Source: growers’ magazine Fruit)