I didn't know about the bucket idea. That's cool! We actually found a dead mouse in a bucket in our garage one year. It was an empty bucket but it was one we used to haul sunflower seeds around to the feeders, so the smell must have attracted it. The poor thing! I felt so bad. We stored it upside down after that.
If you're going to try mint, an option would be to use an AromaBall that plugs into the wall. You can put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on it and that would act as a “deodorizer” for the space. You would need to replenish it maybe daily, but it also gives a fresh smell to the rooms and it's got properties that keep you awake and alert too … so don't use it in a bedroom for sleeping.
AromaBalls can be purchased at this website:
/www.theherbsplace.com/Aromaball_Plug_In_Diffuser_p_2.html
You can get peppermint oil there also that's really strong:
http://www.theherbsplace.com/Peppermint_100_Pure_Essential_Oil_p_47.html