We've had quite a mild fall, and have used only the woodstove for heat. Consequently, the heat ducts haven't had any hot air going through them. In a couple days time, it has gotten very cold and raw so I've had to break down and use the oil heat occasionally. And this caused a pungent mouse smell to permeate the house. Whether a mouse was living in the pipe, or had died in the pipe, I know not, but the odor has been terrible. So, I tried burning candles. I tried spraying a perfume down the registers. Neither worked, but yesterday I came up with a solution. I took my late Aunt Susie's coffee pot, filled it with water, added some lemon slices, and sprinkled cloves and cinnamon on top, and - voilà! -the house smells wonderful with no trace of mouse.
Eeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwww you poor thing. Or maybe I should say the poor mouse. I can almost smell the lemon and spices. mmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteI must say too your header photo looks very wintery with all the boots lined up for action. I wish our spot for keeping shoes by the back door looked so neat and clean.
How clever, Nan. Cinnamon is such a warm and welcoming scent as well as being strong enough to cover mouse!
ReplyDeleteNan I have done similar in the past. At times would just simmer a mixture like this on my range for the wonderful scent. One good thing about this new home is no mice. But I miss the country.
ReplyDeleteGreat mouse problems here - no so much in the house but in the cars where they are chewing through wires and cables. Humumgous garage bills.
ReplyDeleteWill remember your spicy brew just in case - it sounds wonderful anyway.
Wonderful idea. The idea of a mouse smell in the house is not pleasant. I'm so glad you found a solution.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, the poor little thing. I do hope he went quickly! And, if your really lucky perpaps he took some of his little friends with him. I had to laugh at the picture on your header...I think you should keep it up through Feb. so you can remember how neat and pretty it looked at the beginning of the season...Definitely put it there during March mud season!
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ReplyDeleteWhat a good tip for that mousy smell.. ewww.
Glad you came up with that.
And I love your neat, clean header picture.
Our shoe/boot pile, inside the door doesn't look that organized, but I love that.
And your picture of your daughter's arrival, just precious.
Mim
Oh, no! Dead mouse smell is the worst!! I'd consider brewing up your solution just to enjoy the aroma.
ReplyDeleteI've simmered cloves and cinnamon many times in the past, but today I added lemon and it's ever so much better! Thank you so much, Nan, for sharing the idea. And isn't it amazing that such a little animal can make such a stink? We had a similar occurrence several years back ~ the same week we put our house on the market, in fact!! My husband sprinkled lime (the 'offender' was lodged in the attic eave of our very old house). Presto. No more p.u.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish they would let us do that at the library! We have an eensy mouse problem and one apparently died somewhere in the shelves near the 500s - such a foul smell. Glad you have a solution (and wish I could use it!).
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