Air freshener?

Is it safe to use something like Febreze in the room my mice are kept it? They'll be in a 10 gallon tank if that means anything. What about perfume, or scented candles? Does it help to have the window open when using these? Can it hurt their lungs?

Also, I've seen people make little mouse huts out of popsicle/craft sticks. Is it safe to use regular ol' Elmer's glue with them? I'm worried of when the mice decide they want to try a bite of their hut and get a bit of dried glue along with it. Will it hurt them at all?

So many questions.

I like to keep the window open and a fan running most of the time, but I have used febreeze before if I have someone coming over. I know that they're gonna notice mouse smell more then I do, but I try to use it on the other end of the room, just in case. None of my mice have been the worse for wear, but I don't really use it when I have baby mice, just in case.

That's quite helpful, really. I always have a fan on in there. (Except right now, since we're painting my room, which has forced me to camp out in the living room.) And the weather is finally nice again, so I can have the window open.

My mice will almost surely be near the window in my bedroom, and I'll be using the smell good stuff on the other side of the room, so. I feel safe about it now.

You can make your own mouse-safe air freshener by adding pure citrus oil like orange or lemon, even grape fruit, into a spray bottle with water.


You can also tape an air duct filter to a box fan, and run it in your mouse room (it costs about $30 all together) to eliminate the smell. Just replace the filter every 3 months or so.

Rhasputin wrote:You can make your own mouse-safe air freshener by adding pure citrus oil like orange or lemon, even grape fruit, into a spray bottle with water.

That is a great idea! My mother actually kicked me and my meeces out of the house because of the smell of them. Maybe I can try that!

That would work, if I didn't hate the smell of citrus fruits.

That filter and box fan idea though.... <3
Fantastic idea, especially since I need an air filter anyways. Mild asthma and second hand smoke don't mix well.

I saw a video for that, but I was too lazy to watch all of it. Should definitely search the forum for it.


And Pygmy. That's horrid. ;_;

Whurmy wrote:

And Pygmy. That's horrid. ;_;

Its not that bad. Im with my dad right now and he dosnt mind the smell of a house full of mouse.

Is the citrus stuff sticky at all?

Nope, not sticky at all.

Huh. That sounds pretty spiffy.

You can also use tea tree oil from Walgreens/pharmacy with the water too. If you don't like the smell of either, check into essential oils like AuraCacia brand, they have tons of great stuff just waiting to be diluted with water. Think Lavender, sandalwood, patchouli, etc.

I have heard bad things about using areosols and incense/candles around small creatures, especially birds. Candles labeled "birdsafe" are ok, but hard to find. Febreeze scares me any way, who knows what chemicals they use to make the smell.

I think lavender mouse bedding smells wonderful.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Rhasputin wrote:
You can also tape an air duct filter to a box fan, and run it in your mouse room (it costs about $30 all together) to eliminate the smell. Just replace the filter every 3 months or so.

How cool! Homemade air purifier! Any idea how it compares to store bought?

It can eliminate 90% of particles 40 microns in diameter of larger in the air, if you use a fairly good quality filter.

Comparatively, a more expensive -real- purifier will remove 100% of those particles, but costs -far- more.

What filters do you recommend? And how large of an area does it cover? Thanks so much for the info; I've been wanting to buy an air purifier that would cover more square footage but they are not cheap.

When I was younger, we had a lilac bush in the front yard. I used to snip off branches and hang them in my bedroom and the whole room smelled just lovely for weeks. Some sweet smelling flowers should be blooming very soon, those are natural air fresheners

At one time u used tee tree oil mixed with water. Smelled nice. Lol

Believe it or not, fresh or used coffee grounds in a wide, open container, completely control all the odors in Mouseville. I was skeptical at first but researched it online. Verrrry effective. Got my coffee grounds at Starbucks. You'll need to bring your own container. Works in the car, too, but can spill. The wet grounds will make your room smell faintly of coffee for a while but that stops once they dry out.

Wow- getting lots of great ideas here!

How long do the dry fresh coffee grounds freshen the room?

Almost one year!

Wow! I am impressed! Thanks!

Mrs. Beach wrote:Believe it or not, fresh or used coffee grounds in a wide, open container, completely control all the odors in Mouseville. I was skeptical at first but researched it online. Verrrry effective. Got my coffee grounds at Starbucks. You'll need to bring your own container. Works in the car, too, but can spill. The wet grounds will make your room smell faintly of coffee for a while but that stops once they dry out.

Oh, great idea! Yes, you can get them for free from most Starbuck's, usually early in the morning. Just ask them for their "garden grounds" or you can sometimes find them in a bin/on the windowsill. They will be labelled "grounds for your Garden" and the ones around here come in a bag roughly the size of a 20lb kitty litter bag. I use them for my garden around the rosebush, and for getting rid of odors on my hands (like after dicing onions... it works!!) Never thought of using them as an air deodorizer. I will have to try that!

Does it help to keep them close to the mouse tanks, or will it work if they are placed anywhere in the room?

I was going to add, almost a year depending on how much you set out! I set out about 3-4 cups in a wide plastic salad-for-lunch container. I set it on the floor underneath the mouse shelf. The greatest danger is in kicking and upsetting them onto the floor. My feeling is that they work placed anywhere in the room. There are mice all over the room and in an adjoining area in the same air space. No odor. I have two containers of coffee grounds in Mouseville because of all the mice (about 60).

I can verify Mrs. Beach's account of the coffee grounds!