Rats have a highly-developed sense of smell. It is this finely-tuned nose that enables them to seek out nearby food and water sources. If you have rats in your home, chances are they’ve been led there, at least in part, by their noses. But that powerful sense of smell can also work against them. Some people have found that they can deter rats from coming onto their property by using certain smells and aromas.
The most effective smells are essential oils, specifically; peppermint, castor, and citronella. These are good choices because while their smell is powerful, many people also find the aromas pleasant. Another common choice is vinegar, but a strong vinegar smell in your home isn’t ideal and is too much for some people.
How to use rat repellent scents
If the idea of disposing of dead rats or releasing captured animals makes you squeamish, using pungent aromas as a rodent repellant provides a more palatable alternative. However, there are specific scents you should use; you can’t just use any old smell to keep rats away. You will also need to find a suitable way of deploying these odours without them interfering with your own health and wellbeing.
As for how you deploy the smell, the simplest and most effective method is to soak cotton balls in your chosen scent and position these strategically around your property. If you know where rats are nesting and how they’re getting into your home, leaving soaked cotton balls next to the entry points they use should keep them away. After a while, the balls will dry out, so you’ll need to check them regularly and reapply your oils and vinegar as necessary. If the smell from a soaked cotton ball is too powerful, you can use a paintbrush to apply a coating instead of soaking them.
Myths About Rats and What Smell Rats Hate
Rats are ingenious and skilled creatures, which is why they’ve been unwelcome guests in many homes. Besides their intelligence, they were known for being a speedy pest with some useful abilities like jump, hike and swim.
It’s hardly surprising that rats have poor vision when they have such a powerful sense of smell. It’s this sense that helps them detect potential food sources from a distance and also one they use to communicate with other rats.
One thing is certain, there’s no easy way to get rid of rats just using certain smells.
So what smell do rats hate the most?
Rats, mice and other rodents are repelled by many different smells.
Here is a list of the most common ones that rats don’t like:
- Peppermint oil
- Garlic
- Cayenne pepper
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Cedar chips
- Ammonia
- Pine-sol
- Oranges
- Onion
See, there are many different scents rats don’t like. You just have to find the right one for your specific situation.If you’re looking for a natural way to keep rats away, using essential oils is a great option. Peppermint oil, in particular, is very effective at repelling rats. You can either buy an essential oil or make your own by following these instructions.
The best and cost effective way to repel rats is to contact your local, trusted pest control company. Experienced pest controllers will be able to repel rats from your garden and protect it from rats for long.
Here’s how to use essential oils for rat control:
Mix 3 cups of water with 30 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Shakewell and spray around the areas you want to keep rats away from.
Mix one part water with 1-3 parts of oil in a small bowl. Then, dip cotton balls into the solution and place them in areas where you don’t want rats to go.
