Does Irish Spring Soap really keep mice away?

Irish Spring Soap is often promoted on the internet as a natural mouse repellent, with claims that its strong deodorant scent repels mice, but scientific evidence and pest control professionals say it does not reliably keep mice away. The idea is that the strong fragrance of Irish Spring, which contains ingredients like menthol and other scented oils, irritates a mouse's sensitive nose and makes them avoid the area. Some homeowners report anecdotal success placing bars of soap or shavings near entry points, garages, or RVs. However, studies and field tests have shown that mice may initially avoid the strong smell for a day or two, but they quickly habituate, and hungry mice will often chew on the soap itself, leaving gnaw marks on the bar. In fact, Irish Spring contains animal fat and can actually serve as a food source for mice in some cases. Pest control companies do not recommend soap as a control method because it does not block entry, remove food, or kill existing mice. If you want to try it as a very minor supplemental deterrent along with real methods, it is unlikely to cause harm, but you should not rely on it alone. Effective control requires sealing holes with steel wool and caulk, storing food properly, and using traps.