Maybe somebody came across this before and posted it but I did some research on what mouse repellents ACTUALLY work.
The Fresh Cab product is EPA-certified effective as a rodent repellent (http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_129035.htm).
I've seen it advertised for sale on a lot of sites (e.g., Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Cab-Rodent-Repellent-Pouch/dp/B0021LWPPY/ref=pd_sbs_k_1 ).
After digging a little deeper into Fresh Cab's EPA application I found out that the active ingredient in their product is balsam fir needle oil. The company uses a 2% solution to douse its Fresh Cab product with (eesentially a packet of material to absorb the oil extract used).
If you want to make your own Fresh Cab-like repellent you can buy 0.5 fl. oz. (15 ml) of 100% balsam fir extract from a variety of vendors. The cheapest I found was this one:
http://www.mothernature.com/search/index.cfm?query=Aura+Cacia+Fir+Needle%2C+Balsam+Es sential+Oil+&Type=Products
You'll may want to dilute it if you decide to use it (alchohol would probably work in a spray bottle). Fresh Cab claims their product lasts about 1-3 months but I'm guessing a higher oil extra concentration on whatever somebody might use to absorb the oil would last longer.
Another thing I discovered too: apparently most "critters" HATE the smell of both peppermint and cedar oil.