Rats are clever animals. They are well adapted to survive, seeking shelter and building nests in undisturbed areas. Like any living creature, you can use their weakness against them in an effort to rid your home of rats. If you suspect these disease-carrying rodents have made a home for themselves on your property or even inside your home, you can use their strong sense of smell against them with scents that alert them to predators or signal danger.
Learn more from our expert service professionals on how to keep rats away with smell.
Effective Smells That Rats And Other Pests Avoid
When it comes to natural rat repellents, putting scents to use that signal predators and danger can help deter rats and other rodents, including pests such as mice, insects, and spiders. Spray essential oils around garden edges, garbage bins, and sheds. You want to protect scent repellents from rain to prevent them from washing away. Lastly, remember to refresh the scents every few days or sooner if the scent fades to keep them strong and effective.
Peppermint and Eucalyptus Oils
Essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus are widely regarded as effective natural rat repellents. These oils emit strong, fresh scents that rats find intolerable. To use, soak cotton balls in the oil and place them in areas prone to rat activity, such as cupboards, basements, near entry points, and other areas where you may suspect a rat’s nest.
Ammonia and Vinegar
Both ammonia and vinegar have sharp, acrid odors that rats detest. Ammonia mimics the smell of predator urine, creating a sense of danger, and vinegar’s acidic smell irritates their sensitive noses. However, these substances should be used with caution due to their strong fumes, especially in enclosed spaces and if you have pets.
Use ammonia against sensitive rat noses by mixing one part ammonia with one part water in a spray bottle to spray where rats are entering or leaving droppings. You can also soak cotton balls with ammonia and place them at entry points. Wear gloves as a precaution and ensure there is plenty of ventilation to avoid inhaling any fumes. Make sure ammonia is out of reach of children and pets.
Alternatively, put undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle or soak cotton balls to keep rats away. Apply at entry points, such as cracks, holes, vents, and windows. Consider adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your vinegar for added effect. Avoid applying vinegar to surfaces prone to corrosion, such as stone and metal.
Garlic and Onion
Garlic and onion not only enhance your recipes but also act as natural deterrents for rats. Their pungent odor disrupts the rats' sense of smell, making areas emitting these scents less attractive. Crush cloves of garlic or leave onion slices in problem areas near burrows and spots where you suspect rats gather to take advantage of the repelling properties garlic and onion offer.
Safety Considerations
Although scent-based repellents are generally safe, there are a few precautions to keep in mind:
- If using repellents in kitchens or food storage areas, apply them in spots where they won’t come into contact with food.
- Keep essential oils and other repellents away from children and pets. They can be toxic if ingested or inhaled, especially in large amounts.
- Avoid overexposure to strong fumes, like ammonia, as they can be harmful to people and pets.
- Always research pet-safe options and use repellents in areas pets cannot access.
Pros and Cons of Using Scent-Based Rat Repellents
Scent-based rat repellents have several advantages. They are eco-friendly and cost-effective, with many of the required materials, like essential oils and standard household items, being inexpensive and easy to find. Another benefit is that these methods are non-lethal to rodents, which means they can deter rats without harming them.
However, there are also some drawbacks to using scents. Their effects are often short-lived, requiring frequent reapplication to remain effective. Strong smells may not reach deep into rat nests or hiding spots, limiting their ability to address larger infestations.
Combat Rats with Mosquito Joe
Overall, scent-based repellents work best as part of a broader pest control strategy and are not typically effective as a standalone solution for long-term rat prevention. For lasting results, combine scent-based repellents with sealing entry points, removing food sources, and addressing nesting areas.
And when none of your rat deterring efforts seem to rid your property of rats, and you want to ensure your rodent infestation is dealt with once and for all, contact Mosquito Joe®. Offering a wide range of pest control services and backed by the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and Mosquito Joe Guarantee, our rat exterminators will devise a rat control plan to ensure your satisfaction.
This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Mosquito Joe for more information and a professional on-site assessment.
