Catnip as repellent- Myth?

19 years ago

So in the course of Googlage, I found that catnip is said to repel rats and mice (as well as some insects). There has been no scientific proof, though, and folklore says rodents stay away because they know cats like it, and where there's catnip, there's got to be a cat (don't know if city rats have had the opportunity to make that connection ;))

I'm just posting to say that in my case it didn't work...I set them out to stop rats from eating my herbs and they started eating the catnip! :)

Anyone have similar experiences?

Featured Answer

tosser

19 years ago

I've never tried it for mice, but it works like a charm on mosquitoes. I crush/roll a branch up in my hands then rub hands on my arms and legs. Makes me very popular with the cats when I come back in the house, too.

I've heard that it also chases ants away, but have to try that.

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Comments (8)

manillesol
Original Author
19 years ago
Good tip! I should take some with me the next time I go camping!
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betzie_fab
19 years ago
wonderful use of cat mint.. but I have a better repellant for mice and rats.. Bounce sheets and/or peppermint oil. The mice don't like the smell of either. With the peppermint oil, you can get it at a pharmacy - take a cotton ball, shake a few drops on the cotton, deposit where ever you suspect mice to be Don't forget to replentish both Bounce & cotton oil after a few months. This works! We do it and haven't seen a mouse since!
manillesol
Original Author
19 years ago
Betzie: I'm going to try the Bounce today and see if that works...thanks!

I don't know about the mint though because when I took away the basil that they were attacking, they turned on my mint! They literally chewed my beautiful plant down to the nub, and now all I have is a pot of soil and a toothpick!
Zoltan Baint
10 years ago
There are 3 kinds of catnip. Bush, ground cover and the one you need to get is the one in the middle. Got an extract from it in 1980's and simple test - mice in cage and food with extact around it - mice did not eat. Sydney Uni wanted $10000 just to confirm the name.
Stacy Storkamp
8 years ago
My sister's pet mice and rats love to eat cat nip;fresh or dried
Sandy Lang
3 years ago
Repels mice, not rats
HU-15389045
3 years ago
WiWill catnip atttact cats to my home to help eliminate micr?