Eliminating rodents like rats from your house is crucial to the well-being of you and your loved ones. If you have a rat infestation at your house, business, or other location, you need to learn how effectively deter these pests.
It’s been scientifically shown that rats have an exceptional sense of smell. There are several smells that rats find unpleasant, just as there are odors that attract them. If you understand how a rat’s sense of smell works, you’ll be more equipped to keep them from making your home theirs.
So, what are the smells that rats dislike?
Chemical smells rats hate
Of course, there are a variety of chemicals that can be used to deter rat infestations. However, many property owners are hesitant to employ these chemicals because of their toxicity to both humans and the environment. The odor of mothballs, for instance, is said to be particularly offensive to rats.
Mothballs contain a chemical called naphthalene, which has a strong odor that may discourage rodents. However, mothballs are harmful to humans if used in large quantities. The National Pesticide Information Center released an article describing this very situation (NPIC).
This story described how one man placed many boxes of mothballs in his basement because he had read that rats dislike the smell of mothballs. The next day, the man’s wife began having trouble breathing and got a persistent headache. When the man called the NPIC, he found out that mothballs give off a hazardous gas that can induce stomach upset, headaches, and breathing problems.
Rats may also be scared away by the pungent odors of strong poisonous chemicals like bleach, paint thinner, ammonia, and similar products. There is no proof, however, that rats are sensitive to the odor of these compounds.
Aside from chemical odors, several natural scents have shown potential in repelling rats.
Natural smells rats hate
If you want to know what odors rats detest that won’t harm the ecosystem and won’t make you sick, keep reading. We will also inform you as to whether or not these natural rodent repellents have any scientific evidence to support their claims.
Peppermint
Thai researchers discovered that peppermint oil had a mild repellent effect on rats. They deduced this after observing that the rats avoided places with peppermint scent. As a side note, the same researchers found that bergamot is also an aroma that deters rats. Earl Grey’s signature flavor comes from the bergamot citrus fruit. Bergamot is one of those flavors that people either love or hate, but it seems to be an aroma that rats avoid.
If you want to keep rats out of your house, consider spraying the entryways with peppermint oil. To further discourage rats from making your yard their home, you can grow mint there.
Eucalyptus
The strong scent of eucalyptus oil can be irritating to rats, deterring them from using your home as a nest, food source, or permanent residence.
It has been found that chemicals found in eucalyptus oil can deter rodents, which is why the oil has been utilized as a rodent repellent. One 2014 study indicated that spraying a solution containing either 5%, 10%, or 20% eucalyptus oil was effective in warding off house rats. The researchers saw that the rats avoided feeding in the area of the cage where the eucalyptus solution had been sprayed.
It should be noted, however, that food was available on the other, untreated, side of the rats’ enclosure, suggesting that the repellant effect may happen only when there is an alternative.
One disadvantage of utilizing eucalyptus oil is that you must spray it every day to keep the rats at bay. On the plus side, even though rats dislike the fragrance of eucalyptus, the pleasant aroma will keep your home feeling fresh.
Citronella
Although citronella is effective in warding off mosquitoes and other flying insects, there is some suggestion that rats may also find the scent unpleasant.
Some studies have shown, for instance, that rats avoid eating from the side of their pens that has been treated with citronella oil, preferring instead to consume food from the untreated side. The researchers found that using citronella on a daily basis could work as a natural rodent deterrent.
However, the same disclaimer as before regarding eucalyptus oil should be taken into account here. Inhaling citronella was also proven to reduce appetite in a rat research.
Chili powder or chili oil
The use of chili powder is another successful strategy for warding off these annoying pests.
Capsaicin is what gives chili peppers their kick. In animals, it causes a burning feeling in the mouth when inhaled, making it an effective rodent repellant.
Spread chili powder over the outside of your home, focusing on potential entry points like drains and crevices. You can also put it behind furniture or in small spaces where rats might like to hang out.
Another option to deter rats is to introduce smells of predators.
The smell of predators
The smell of their predators is one of the aromas that rats despise the most, as it makes them incredibly nervous. It’s likely that rats will avoid an area if they detect the scent of a predatory cat, ferret, stoat, or raccoon in it.
The Journal of Neuroscience and Behavioral Neuroscience reports that rats avoid areas where predators have recently been. Smells from cats and ferrets were found to cause a severe stress reaction in laboratory rats.
They found that the rats’ stress hormones increased and their behavior altered after being exposed to cat and ferret odors. Consequently, a cat in the house may not be a bad idea if it helps to deter rodents. Cats are not only effective at eliminating pests in the natural environment, but even their scent can discourage rodents and other unwanted visitors.
However, keep in mind that rats make their nests in a variety of really stinky areas, including sewers, so any theoretically repellant aromas will be ineffective if your home is otherwise appealing.
You may be able to keep rats away from your home by using one of the several smells that they strongly dislike. However, a multi-pronged strategy for rat exclusion is an essential part of any effective rodent prevention and control plan.
First, check to see that there are no cracks or holes in the foundation, the attic, or the outside walls that could allow rats access inside.
