Grandma shares easy, nontoxic method to keep mice out of your home

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This story was written by Sarah Klimek and originally appeared on The Cool Down.

When the weather turns cold, little critters like mice often sneak inside, looking for a cozy place to stay. But don’t worry—one grandma-approved TikTok trick shows how you can keep them away without using harsh chemicals.

The simple hack

TikTok creator Everyone’s Grandmother (@brunchwithbabs) shared her simple hack with her nearly 4 million followers. She takes a small mesh “favor bag”—the kind used for spices or tiny gifts—and fills it with:

• 1 tablespoon of red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon of whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick

@brunchwithbabs

🐭DIY Anti-Mouse Bags 🐭 It is that time of year again when our little creepy crawly friends come to pay a visit to seek shelter, water and food. These DIY anti-mouse bags save the day! And the best part?!  They are all-natural and you likely have all the ingredients in your home right now.  Mice rely on their amazing sense of smell to sense danger. These spices scream KEEP AWAY 🐭 Instructions:  Take favor bags and add one star anise, one cinnamon stick, 1 tbsp each of cloves and red pepper flakes. Tie the bags and place them near openings to the outside which could attract mice and in cupboards and closets. Added bonus is they make your house smell like Christmas. 🐭 XO Babs #mice #mousetrap #DIY

♬ original sound – Babs

Babs explains, “Mice have a very intense sense of smell, and strong smells like this keep them away.” As a bonus, these bags make your home smell warm and inviting. She tucks them in cabinets, corners, and anywhere mice might wander.

As she says at the end of her video, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Why this trick works

This little trick is especially helpful in cold places where mice try to move into garages, cabinets, or basements. Mice can chew through food, wires, and even spread sickness. Since they multiply quickly, just a couple can turn into a big problem.

The best part? This hack is safe, natural, and doesn’t require dangerous traps or poisons. No stress about pets or kids getting near chemicals—just peace of mind.

Extra tips for you to try

Other creators have added peppermint oil to the mix, saying it works wonders too. Some even use cinnamon oil to keep ants away in the summer, or cinnamon sticks to stop spiders from building webs. It’s all about simple, natural solutions.

What people are saying

Of course, TikTok being TikTok, the comments were full of jokes.

• One person laughed, “I tried this—my mother-in-law keeps coming back.”
• Another said, “That’s not a hack, that’s a spell!”
• And my favorite: “Mice be like, ‘Ooh, a free gift bag.’”

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