Top 21 How To Stop Rats Climbing Walls All Answers

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Install guards made of sheet metal or similar materials to prevent rodents from climbing or traveling along a particular route. Guards must be wide enough and positioned appropriately to keep rodents from climbing over or jumping around them. Attach sheet metal bands to walls to prevent climbing by rodents.Rats have a powerful sense of smell. You can repel rats from your home and garden with scents they dislike, such as clover, garlic, onion, hot peppers containing capsaicin, house ammonia, used coffee grounds, peppermint, eucalyptus, predator (cat) scent, white vinegar, and citronella oil.Yes rats can climb walls – go onto YouTube and you can see this. But they are quite a heavy animal (230g) and so gravity is a serious consideration – mice however (19g) don’t give it a moment’s thought.

Some surfaces most rats can’t climb include:
  • Tile: tiles have a smooth surface that makes it difficult for rats to scale. …
  • Glass: rats can’t grab onto glass surfaces, which is why you probably won’t find rats dart across your windows.

What materials can rats not climb?

Some surfaces most rats can’t climb include:
  • Tile: tiles have a smooth surface that makes it difficult for rats to scale. …
  • Glass: rats can’t grab onto glass surfaces, which is why you probably won’t find rats dart across your windows.

What smell keeps the rats away?

Rats have a powerful sense of smell. You can repel rats from your home and garden with scents they dislike, such as clover, garlic, onion, hot peppers containing capsaicin, house ammonia, used coffee grounds, peppermint, eucalyptus, predator (cat) scent, white vinegar, and citronella oil.

Can a rat climb straight up a wall?

Yes rats can climb walls – go onto YouTube and you can see this. But they are quite a heavy animal (230g) and so gravity is a serious consideration – mice however (19g) don’t give it a moment’s thought.

Can rats climb rough walls?

Rats are resourceful and will climb absolutely anything they can get a grip on, including walls. Surfaces that are sufficiently rough, like brick, stone, and even concrete, are viable climbing surfaces. This is because rat feet have paws that can grasp and cling to even completely vertical surfaces.

Why do rats run along walls?

They use these hairs and whiskers to feel around the environment. This is why rats typically run along walls, rather than across an open floor — it allows them to have a better sense of where they are.

Can rats climb up the side of a house?

Rats are efficient burrowers and can burrow for several metres horizontally. Both rats and mice are good climbers and can climb vertical walls and “shimmy” up between walls and drain pipes.

How do I get rid of rats fast?

Set Traps

Traps are one of the most effective ways to get rid of rats fast. For best results, consider using snap traps, which are a fast method to kill rats instantly. To prevent other animals from getting into the traps, place them inside a box or under a milk crate.

What are rats scared of?

Rats are afraid of human activity, mostly because humans are so much larger than they are. Rats also fear predators such as hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey. Other animals that rats are afraid of include your cat as well as rat terriers and other dogs that hunt rodents.

Does vinegar keep rats away?

Vinegar has an unpleasant smell and if used in the pipes and u-bend it may temporarily keep them away. It can sting and would be unpleasant for the rat. Any strong smell may be enough to deter a rodent as it will make them wary that something has changed in the environment.

What does peppermint oil do to rats?

Peppermint oil is said to deter rats from entering treated areas. In high concentrations, peppermint oil may exhibit some repellency.

Can rats come up the toilet?

Yes, Rats Can Swim Up Your Toilet.

How high can a rat climb a wall?

Rodents have a vertical leap of around 36 inches, and they can also leap 48 inches horizontally. That means a rat can climb a tree up to four feet away from your house and still leap onto the roof or walls. Rats can also survive a fall up to 50 feet so if they miss the leap they’ll probably try again.

How do I stop rats from climbing wires?

Guards prevent rats from climbing augers, pipes, or wires leading to buildings. Free-hanging guards are easily damaged. Construct circular guards of 24-gauge sheet metal and anchor them in place by one or more arms on the side opposite to that accessible to rats.

How high can a rat climb?

They can leap as much as 36 inches vertically and 48 inches horizontally. This means that rats can climb trees that are as close as 4 feet to your house and jump from there onto the walls or roof. And if they ever fall during a leap, they can survive up to 50 feet and will likely try again.

How do I stop rats from walking on my fence?

Exclusion is usually a key in controlling rodents. Patch holes where they are getting in, install fences, consider an electric fence, install hardware cloth to stop animals from burrowing under fences and getting into your garden beds. Take steps to make your yard less attractive to them.

Can rats climb up metal?

If you’ve ever wondered how rats find themselves in odd places way up high, the answer is that rats are excellent climbers. They can climb any surface that has texture. They’re good at climbing brick, concrete, plastic, wood, stucco, sheet metal, dry walls, and even trees.

Can rats climb PVC pipe?

Modern plastic pipes are made from PVC and are around 4mm thick. Providing rats can access a leading edge, the rats can gnaw through the pipes very easily and the rats can enter your house.

Can rats climb up a metal pole?

Metal poles work best as they are sturdy and difficult for rats to climb. Rats can climb PVC pipe or wood bird feeder poles. Rats may also chew through a PVC or wooden pole, bringing the whole feeder crashing to the ground.

Can rats climb plastic walls?

Physical Capabilities of Rats and Mice

climb almost any rough vertical surface such as wood, brick, concrete, and weathered sheet metal; crawl horizontally along pipes, augers, conveyors, and conduit; and. gnaw through a variety of materials, including aluminum sheeting, wood, rubber, vinyl, plastic, and concrete block


Mouse climbs door and jumps like a ninja
Mouse climbs door and jumps like a ninja


how to stop rats climbing walls

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How do mice get in the house | Mortein AU

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How to stop mice from getting in the house

Can mice climb walls

Can rats climb walls

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How to stop rats from climbing your walls

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What attracts mice

What smells do mice hate

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What’s So Bad About Rats Anyway

The Scents That Rats Hate (and How to Use Them)

Other Ways to Keep Rats Away

3 Ways to Check if You Have a Rat Problem

Bringing It All Together

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How to stop mice from getting in the house

Can mice climb walls

Can rats climb walls

Why are rats such good climbers

How to stop rats from climbing your walls

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What attracts mice

What smells do mice hate

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Controlling Rats and Mice - A Guide to Preventing Infestations | Test Valley Borough Council
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Can a rat climb a straight wall

How do you tell if there’s rats in the walls

Can rats climb walls and ceilings

How do you stop rats climbing

What materials can rats not climb

Why do rats run along walls

How do I stop rats from climbing wires

Can rats climb up straight walls

How do I keep rats from climbing my walls

How high can a rat climb a wall

How high can a rat jump straight up

What noise do rats make in walls

What to do if you think you have rats in the walls

How do you tell if its mice or rats in walls

Can you smell rats in your walls

Can a rat climb a ceiling

Can a rat crawl up a wall

What surface can rats not climb

What scent keeps rats away

Is it normal for rats to climb

Can rats climb up brick walls

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How do I stop rats climbing my walls? – Animal Shelters

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How do I stop rats climbing my walls

Can a rat climb a straight wall

How do you tell if there’s rats in the walls

Can rats climb walls and ceilings

How do you stop rats climbing

What materials can rats not climb

Why do rats run along walls

How do I stop rats from climbing wires

Can rats climb up straight walls

How do I keep rats from climbing my walls

How high can a rat climb a wall

How high can a rat jump straight up

What noise do rats make in walls

What to do if you think you have rats in the walls

How do you tell if its mice or rats in walls

Can you smell rats in your walls

Can a rat climb a ceiling

Can a rat crawl up a wall

What surface can rats not climb

What scent keeps rats away

Is it normal for rats to climb

Can rats climb up brick walls

Can rats climb up plastic

Can rats climb up glass

Can a rat climb a metal pole

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G2017

Rodent-Proof Construction:

Drains and Feeding Equipment

Use of common-sense construction techniques involving drains and feeding equipment can effectively prevent or reduce damage by rats and mice.

Stephen M. Vantassel, Extension Wildlife Damage Project Coordinator

Scott E. Hygnstrom, Extension Specialist, Wildlife Damage

Dennis M. Ferraro, Extension Educator

Comprehensive rodent-proofing must include protective devices on pipes, electrical cables and conduits, drains, and other equipment where rodents travel. In addition to preventing access to buildings along these routes, attention must be given to reducing sources of food, water, and shelter used by rats and mice. This NebGuide focuses on the exclusion of Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) and house mice (Mus musculus), but the information is applicable for a variety of rodents and birds. More methods to make structures rodent-proof are described in NebGuide G1530, Rodent-Proof Construction: Structural, http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/g1530.pdf.

Physical Capabilities of Rats and Mice

To help identify how rodents can enter a structure, their capabilities must be understood. For example, rats and mice can:

run along and climb electrical wires, ropes, cables, vines, shrubs, and trees to gain entry to buildings;

climb almost any rough vertical surface such as wood, brick, concrete, and weathered sheet metal;

crawl horizontally along pipes, augers, conveyors, and conduit; and

gnaw through a variety of materials, including aluminum sheeting, wood, rubber, vinyl, plastic, and concrete block.

In addition, rats can:

climb the outside of vertical pipes and conduit up to 3 inches in diameter, climb the outside of larger pipes attached to buildings by bracing themselves against a wall, and climb the inside of 1½- to 4-inch vertical pipes;

scale any horizontal or vertical wire;

travel on any horizontal pipe;

jump 36 inches vertically and 48 inches horizontally;

drop 50 feet without serious injury;

burrow straight down into the ground to a depth of 48 inches;

enter openings slightly larger than ½ inch in diameter;

reach up to 13 inches along vertical walls; and

swim half a mile in open water, dive through water traps in plumbing, and travel in sewer lines against substantial current.

Figure 1. Shield manure discharge pipes to prevent access by rodents to open pipe.

House mice can:

jump up 18 inches vertically, and jump up against a vertical surface to reach even higher;

drop 8 feet and scurry away unharmed;

enter openings slightly larger than ¼-inch in diameter;

travel up to 1½ miles; and

hang upside down and travel some distance on ¼-inch wire mesh or 12-gauge wire.

Drains and Pipes

Both rats and mice use drainage pipes or sewage systems as routes to enter buildings. Equip floor drains with metal grates fastened securely in place. Use grate openings that are ¼ inch across or less and made from 19-gauge wire. Although uncommon, rats can enter buildings through toilet plumbing. Unfortunately, the product that prevents rat entry through toilets, called a rat guard, is no longer available. People experiencing this problem should consult with their local sanitation or health department about initiating a rat control program in the sewer system.

Figure 2. Feed sheds, corn cribs, and other existing wood structures can be rodent-proofed by installing hardware cloth topped by a band of sheet metal. The hardware cloth can also serve as a curtain wall to prevent rodents from burrowing.

Those with onsite wastewater treatment systems such as a septic tank/drainfield system or residential lagoon should contact a certified professional in the onsite industry. If using an onsite wastewater treatment system, secure the discharge pipe to a residential lagoon underwater, near the center of the lagoon, as required to prevent entry of rodents. Avoid holes in covers of septic system cleanouts or risers to eliminate potential entry points.

Manure management systems in livestock facilities may be of a type in which manure or water is periodically drained from the building to a lagoon or other storage area. Extend discharge pipes far enough over the bank or into the lagoon to prevent rodents from jumping or crawling into the open end. Install rodent shields (Figure 1), or use a downward-turned elbow to prevent rodents from gaining access.

A “floating” metal cover at the open end of the discharge pipe with a hinge at its upper edge, also can be effective. The hinge must operate easily so water or manure will open the cover, but the cover must fall back into the closed position when the flow stops. These covers sometimes freeze shut, or solids may prop them open, so check them regularly.

Always cap pump-out ports for manure storage pits when not in use. Left open, they allow easy entry to rodents.

Mechanical Guards

Install guards made of sheet metal or similar materials to prevent rodents from climbing or traveling along a particular route. Guards must be wide enough and positioned appropriately to keep rodents from climbing over or jumping around them.

Attach sheet metal bands to walls to prevent climbing by rodents. Rodent guards should be 12 to 18 inches wide and 36 inches above the floor or ground level. They can be installed to prevent rodents from climbing the outside of buildings that have rough exterior walls. Use rodent guards in combination with hardware cloth, or other suitable materials, to rodent-proof corn cribs, bins, and other buildings (Figure 2).

Install guards to prevent rodents from traveling along horizontal or vertical pipes (Figure 3a), wires (Figures 3b,c), conduit, and cables abutting a structure.

Figure 3a. Install a 12-inch-square piece of aluminum flashing or galvanized metal around conduit pipe to prevent rodents from climbing. Caulk gap around pipe if opening is larger than ¼ inch. Figure 3b. Flat rat guard for small pipes and wires is made of 26-gauge or heavier galvanized sheet steel. Minimum width — 24 inches. 18 inches from wire to top of guard, 12 inches from wire to bottom of guard. Figure 3c. Triangle guard made of aluminum flashing or galvanized metal to prevent rodents from climbing. Triangle should be 12 inches wide at the base and 12 inches in height. Figures 3b,c courtesy of National Park Service.

Figure 5a. Circular guard made of 26-gauge or heavier galvanized metal or aluminum flashing. Disk should be at least 18 inches in diameter. Courtesy of National Park Service. Figure 5b. Disc baffle and pipe sleeve help prevent rodents from traveling on utility line wires. Figure 4. Guards prevent rats from climbing augers, pipes, or wires leading to buildings. Free-hanging guards are easily damaged. Construct circular guards of 24-gauge sheet metal and anchor them in place by one or more arms on the side opposite to that accessible to rats. Circular guards must extend out 18 inches all around the lines they guard. Cone-shaped circular guards prevent rats from climbing vertical pipes, pilings, and trees. Footings or foundations for grain bins should extend into the ground to prevent rat burrowing.

Figure 6. Aluminum collars on trees can help prevent climbing by rodents. Figure 7. Rats cannot live under or around feed bunks that do not provide shelter. Figure 8. Use metal containers with tight-fitting lids to store household garbage. Racks prevent their being tipped over by roaming dogs or other animals. Store livestock and pet feed in rodent-proof containers and promptly dispose of refuse to prevent use by rodents.

Caulk gaps between the wire or pipe and the guard. Install cones or discs on suspended cables, ropes, augers, or pipes (Figure 4).

Use shields or wire guards made of ¼-inch wire mesh to exclude rodents from the interior of feed augers, fan housings, and similar openings. With some ingenuity, you can design rodent guards to fit any situation.

Prevent rats from walking on cables by purchasing disc baffles and pipe sleeves that are available to prevent squirrels from using utility lines (Figures 5a,b). Consult with your utility company before installing any of these products yourself. Under no circumstances should electrical lines be approached. Have the utility company install them.

Power companies have successfully used a product called CritterGuard® to keep rodents from running on their lines.

To protect nonelectrical bearing horizontal lines, cut a 2-inch diameter plastic pipe lengthwise, spread it open, and place it over the cable. The sleeves should fit loosely so they rotate as rats try to traverse them. Sleeves should be at least 18 to 24 inches long.

Collars can be creatively painted so that they blend in with the background. Use metal collars to encircle trees and poles to prevent travel by rodents (Figure 6). Collars should be at least 2 feet wide and placed 6 to 8 feet above the ground. Overlap collar edges and connect by springs to allow for tree growth or to be enlarged on a biannual basis.

Livestock Feed Bunks and Bins

Rats often burrow and nest under feed bunks that are placed directly on the ground, on concrete blocks, or near ground level. Install properly designed concrete bunks that sit solidly on concrete aprons to eliminate rodent habitat (Figure 7). Though traffic by livestock may discourage rats from burrowing under aprons, you may need to build a foundation to prevent burrowing around the sides of the aprons not accessible to livestock.

Concrete foundations for feed bins should extend 36 inches below grade at the outer edges to prevent rats from burrowing under slabs (Figure 6). Install 1½ inches of 1-inch diameter creek gravel and maintain a clean, weed-free zone around slab perimeters to discourage rats from burrowing, and to permit easier detection of rat activity. A less expensive but effective alternative consists of pouring 2 inches of packed gravel on top of a layer of ½-inch galvanized hardware cloth. The hardware cloth will prevent burrowing even if the rats decide to dig through the packed gravel.

Feed and Refuse Storage

Properly storing and disposing of household garbage, waste grain or livestock feed, and dead animals are very important parts of rat control. Good sanitation limits sources of food, water, and shelter for rodents. Whenever possible, store livestock or pet feed in secure containers with tight-fitting lids or similar rodent-proof or resistant containers (Figure 8). Sweep areas where spilled grain and feed can accumulate, such as around augers, bins, and feed bunks. Bury carcasses at least 24 inches below the ground surface to discourage scavenging.

For additional information on rodent control, see NebGuide G1737, Controlling Rats, http://www.ianrpubs�.unl.edu/sendIt/g1737.pdf and NebGuide G1105, Controlling House Mice, http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/sendIt/g1105.pdf.

Acknowledgments

Dallas R. Virchow, Extension Assistant-Wildlife Damage, contributed to an earlier edition of this NebGuide. We would like to thank the U.S. National Park Service for its contribution to this publication.

This publication has been peer reviewed.

How do mice get in the house

Strange scuttling noises in the night, curious gnaw marks on random items, a musty whiff in the air. All these could be signs of mice or rats in the house. These rodents will find any excuse to enter your home, particularly if they think it might be a safe, warm place to sleep (and grab some food in the process).

Fortunately, there are ways to make your home less appealing to them. Namely, by figuring out what attracts mice and rats, removing their temptations and reducing all chances they have to get in your home. We’ve outlined a few pointers to help you mouse-proof or rat-proof your home.

How to stop mice from getting in the house

Due to their small size and soft skeletal structure, mice are capable of squeezing into the smallest of gaps to get into your home. If you are worried about rodents entering, it could be a good idea to inspect the outside of your property to identify any potential entry points. Once you’ve found these possible entry points, seal any cracks in the foundations, openings in walls or utility pipes with steel wool and caulk. Avoid using any material that mice can gnaw through.

Can mice climb walls?

It’s not just holes that these agile rodents can use to enter your home. But you may be wondering, can mice climb walls or leap from branches onto your roof? The answer is yes to both. Mice use their tails to balance as they leap from one surface to another. As long as the surface of your wall is rough, uneven or particularly porous, mice can use their claws to grip onto them.

Can rats climb walls?

The presence of a rat in your home may spark many questions. How do these larger rodents make their way in? Can rats climb walls? The answer to this question is yes – rats are efficient climbers if the surface of the wall is rough enough.

The roof rat is particularly good at climbing and like to gnaw their way through everything, including electricals. Norway rats are another common household rodent and while they are well-known climbers, they aren’t as athletic as roof rats. The main point to note is that while rats and mice have the ability to climb up walls, as long as there is no entry point at the top of their climb, they cannot get into your home. Make sure to block off any potential entry points between the outside wall and the roof in your efforts to avoid rats in your home.

Why are rats such good climbers?

Almost all rats can climb due to the way their hands, feet and tails are designed which allow them to leap both horizontally and vertically. They have five extremely sharp phalanges (or “fingers”) on the end of each hand, which give the ability to easily latch onto any surface. In addition, the pads on their hands have textured skin that help increase friction and grip.

Rats may also use their tails to assist with their balance as they walk along surfaces – almost like a tightrope! – or to wrap themselves around various objects such as cables, cords, wires, branches and ropes, ready to catch themselves if they accidentally slip. These rodents can survive a fall of up to 15-meters, which make them fairly good climbers.

How to stop rats from climbing your walls

Does this mean it’s impossible to stop rats from climbing your walls? Not if you have a smooth surface that rats can’t grip on to. Some surfaces most rats can’t climb include:

Tile: tiles have a smooth surface that makes it difficult for rats to scale. Go for smaller tiles to reduce the size of the grouting (that’s one surface rats can grab onto).

tiles have a smooth surface that makes it difficult for rats to scale. Go for smaller tiles to reduce the size of the grouting (that’s one surface rats can grab onto). Glass: rats can’t grab onto glass surfaces, which is why you probably won’t find rats dart across your windows.

Of course, rats can still climb drainpipes, cables and anything else that might be lining your walls, so it’s worth keeping this in mind as you rat-proof your walls.

Can mice jump?

Although mice aren’t as skilled at climbing as rats, they can jump about a foot high in the air, which allows them to navigate over small obstacles in or around your home. This also means they could potentially access your tables, shelves or countertops once they’ve made it across the threshold. Keep clutter to a minimum to avoid giving them platforms they could potentially use to jump from or climb up.

What attracts mice?

Mice are agile enough to scale your walls and crafty enough to find their way around your home. So, it might be worth figuring out what attracts mice in the first place so you can avoid inadvertently inviting them over. A clean, uncluttered home in good repair is essential for keeping mice away.

Here are some additional tips on how to mice-proof your home:

Seal all entryways: remove or reduce any gaps in your door frames and fit bristle or brush strips along the bottom to eliminate the gap near the floor.

remove or reduce any gaps in your door frames and fit bristle or brush strips along the bottom to eliminate the gap near the floor. Practice good sanitation : sweep up crumbs immediately, keep worktops clear of food and throw away trash in tightly closed bin bags.

: sweep up crumbs immediately, keep worktops clear of food and throw away trash in tightly closed bin bags. Clear vegetation : mice can use hanging branches to jump onto your roof, and shrubs and ivy to climb up your walls. Trim them all back and keep grass mown short to reduce places where mice might seek shelter.

: mice can use hanging branches to jump onto your roof, and shrubs and ivy to climb up your walls. Trim them all back and keep grass mown short to reduce places where mice might seek shelter. Reduce open food sources: make sure food containers are tightly sealed and avoid keeping any of your pet’s food on the floor.

make sure food containers are tightly sealed and avoid keeping any of your pet’s food on the floor. Reduce availability of water: remove pet water bowls from the floor and clean up any spills as soon as they happen.

What smells do mice hate?

As well as eliminating what attracts mice to your home, you might want to think about other barriers you could put up. So, what smells do mice hate and how effective are they at repelling the unwelcome rodents?

Unfortunately, while some limited research has suggested ammonia, mothballs, chilli oil and peppermint oil could be possible mouse deterrents, the first two can be dangerous to have in the home and they all tend to be ineffective when put to scientific testing. Your best bet to dealing with a mouse problem is to use baits, traps or poisons to catch them before they venture too far into your home.

What smells do rats hate?

When it comes to making your home as uninviting to rats as possible, there’s no question that baits and poison have been proven effective – however, getting rid of all smells that might attract them should be your first step. Make sure to keep food and bins covered with tight lids, as well as any pet feed.

You could also go a step further by replacing these rat-attracting smells with ones that may repel them. So, what smells do rats hate? A few common ones include:

Chemical smells: many chemicals repel rats, although some – like mothballs and ammonia – may be toxic to humans, too.

many chemicals repel rats, although some – like mothballs and ammonia – may be toxic to humans, too. The smell of predators: common rat predators include cat, ferret, stoat or raccoon with rats likely to stay away from anywhere that smells like these bigger animals. Of course, not all of these animals can be found in Australia and imbuing your home with the smell of predators (or their urine) might be a tricky task.

common rat predators include cat, ferret, stoat or raccoon with rats likely to stay away from anywhere that smells like these bigger animals. Of course, not all of these animals can be found in Australia and imbuing your home with the smell of predators (or their urine) might be a tricky task. Peppermint or bergamot: limited research has suggested that peppermint oil may be effective in keeping rats away.

limited research has suggested that peppermint oil may be effective in keeping rats away. Citronella: also known to potentially repel mosquitos and other flying insects, citronella may deter rats by interfering with their sensory organs.

also known to potentially repel mosquitos and other flying insects, citronella may deter rats by interfering with their sensory organs. Eucalyptus: some rodent repellents use the scent of eucalyptus due to its ability to repel house rats – although you’ll probably need to spray your home with the oils every other day for it to be effective.

15 Scents That Rats Hate (and How to Use Them)

Rats are one of the least-welcomed guests in domestic homes. They scuttle about in the night, making noises in the basement or attic, and when you see them in your home, it can make you cringe and think, ‘why me?!’ Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can keep the rats OUT so that your home remains rodent-free.

Rats have a powerful sense of smell. You can repel rats from your home and garden with scents they dislike, such as clover, garlic, onion, hot peppers containing capsaicin, house ammonia, used coffee grounds, peppermint, eucalyptus, predator (cat) scent, white vinegar, and citronella oil.

Read on to learn about what scents will keep rats away from your home and garden! We’ll also talk about other ways to keep your home rat-free.

Just to add – when you shop using links from Pest Pointers, we may earn affiliate commissions if you make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

What’s So Bad About Rats Anyway?

Are rats really that bad to have around? If you’ve ever dealt with a rat problem, you probably already know the answer.

Rats can cause all kinds of problems around the house. They chew on wood, furniture, siding, and electrical wiring. They love fruits, nuts, and vegetables and won’t say no to munching on your garden plants or the fruits in your fruit tree.

Rats that make their way into your home can leave droppings, causing sanitary issues. In the same vein, rats will not shy away from garbage and can sniff through garbage one minute and be running across your kitchen counter (where you prepare food) the next.

They can also build nests around control boxes, in woodpiles, and beneath outbuildings. Rats will burrow beneath the foundation of your home and create intricate burrowing systems, too.

All in all, not great to have around the house!

Why Are Rats In My Home?

Just like every other animal, rats are just trying to survive. To do that, they need three things:

Food

Water

Shelter

These three components are what rats, and any other unwelcome visitor, are looking for. If your home offers a cozy attic that’s never used, they’ll use that for their shelter. Leftover pet food can offer food, and drippy sinks or wet bathtubs can provide water.

To a rat, your home may look like a paradise, and you don’t even realize it!

Rats will most often show up in the house in late fall when the weather begins cooling down. Rats do not hibernate, but they don’t really want to be outside in the cold, either.

Is It a Rat or a Mouse?

Rats are rarely glimpsed in the wild. And when you see one, you might not even be sure it’s a rat – after all, they’re just a big mouse, right?

Kind of.

When compared to mice, rats are bigger. Their heads, front paws, and rear paws will be bigger in proportion to a mouse’s body and paws. Both mice and rats can have hairless tails.

In terms of behavior, mice are bolder than rats. If you’ve ever set out a live trap for a mouse, you can often catch it the same day, if not the next. A rat will take several days to appear in a trap because they are so cautious and hesitant with new or novel objects.

If you are finding that you have mice instead of rats in your home, check out our guide on the scents that mice hate here.

The Scents That Rats Hate (and How to Use Them)

There are two main types of rats found in the United States. Norway rats and roof rats. You may have heard Norway rats called sewer rats, brown rats, or common rats. It’s all the same animal. Roof rats also go by black rats, ship rats, and house rats. Again, all the same animal.

The reason why this is important to know is that these two distinct rats hang out in very different parts of the house and yard.

Norway rats, for example, like to be on the bottom level and are typically found in basements and garages. Roof rats, on the other hand, are found in attics, trees, and upper levels of the house.

When repelling rats, it’s important to understand where to repel them from. It won’t be very effective to repel Norway rats by putting your scent deterrents on an upper-level window, for example.

Conversely, repelling roof rats by sprinkling chili powder around the garage will not be effective either, as these rats are more likely to be chilling upstairs in your attic.

So, identify your rat if you can, and get ready to repel them using natural scents!

Clover Plants Can Repel Rats

It’s your lucky day! Clover plants can be used to repel rats. You know, those little things called three-leaf and four-leaf clovers? Those are clover plants! More specifically, the little white flower that accompanies these so-called lucky clovers.

Clover plants are incredibly aromatic, which may be why they are so good at repelling rats. These deceivingly useful plants typically litter your yard in the spring – and who knew there was such a good use for them!

To use clover plants to repel rats, you can go two main routes. You can pick the flowers directly from your yard and place them in areas where you want to repel rats. This can be time-consuming, and the flowers will need replacing every 3-5 days to keep the smell strong.

Another downside – once spring is over, your clover plant supply will be gone.

Another option is to soak the plants in water. The aroma of the flowers will seep into the water, which you can then place in a spray bottle. Use the spray around areas you want to repel rats – drain openings, door frames, window sills, and roofing material.

This option may last a little longer and provide some better coverage, but picking the flowers directly will emit a stronger repelling scent.

Rats Hate Hot Sauce and Cayenne Pepper

Who doesn’t love a spicy dish? Spicy curry or tangy buffalo wings. Yum! But for rats? The feeling is NOT mutual.

Rats rely heavily on their sense of smell, taste, and touch to survive. When something doesn’t smell or taste right, they tend to stay away from it because it activates their sense of danger.

Spicy scents like hot sauce and chili powder contain a compound called capsaicin. This is what makes hot peppers, well, hot! Pepper plants developed this as a defense against being eaten, but we humans tend to ignore that and gobble them down.

Rats and other mammals, on the other hand, are repelled by this spicy taste and smell. To them, the hot capsaicin feels like it’s causing pain and burning in their mouths and taste receptors.

To use chilis and hot peppers to repel rats, you can make a spray:

4 cups water

2 oz. hot sauce

1 tsp dish soap

Combine all the ingredients into a glass spray bottle. The dish soap is used to make the mix stick to the surface. Spray in areas where you want to repel rats.

Common entrances for roof rats include chimneys, attic windows, loose roofing tiles, and even branches that are close to the roof. You can spray all of these areas.

Common entrances for Norway rats include drainpipe openings, cellar drains, sewer drains, and even shower drains. If you have a cellar window or some other opening, spray those areas as well!

Alternatively, you can simply use chili powder or flakes like Indus Organics Cayenne Pepper Flakes. Crushed red pepper usually works as well because it is a combination of cayenne and hot peppers.

Sprinkle this stuff around any openings or places you suspect rats are getting in from. You can also sprinkle it around your garden if you’re having problems there.

Regular red bell peppers do not contain capsaicin, so just be sure you’re using the right peppers to repel those rats!

Use Garlic and Onions to Repel Rats

Garlic isn’t restricted to repelling vampires. It works on several pests, including rats, raccoons, and deer.

The main repellent in garlic is its strong scent. Ever had a garlicky meal and felt like the taste was on your tongue all day?

That’s the allicin. It’s the molecule that gives garlic its distinctive odor. Like capsaicin in chili peppers, allicin is a developed defense mechanism of the plant to keep animals from eating it. Again, we humans ignore that and put garlic in everything. What is wrong with us?!

Onions are similar to garlic in that they have a very distinct and strong odor. This is due to their sulfur-containing compounds. Similar to allicin, these sulfuric compounds give off a strong scent that will make rats think twice about coming near.

Garlic is a pretty versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways. You can use entire cloves to place around vulnerable spots, but this can be costly, and eventually, the cloves will spoil and need to be replaced.

Instead, you can use both garlic and onion to make a spray:

Bring 4 cups water to a boil Add 1 onion, chopped, and 2-4 cloves of garlic Reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes Turn heat off and let the mixture cool completely Strain mixture and place remaining water in a glass spray bottle

If you don’t have garlic cloves, you can replace them with 2 tsp garlic powder instead. Alternatively, use garlic powder similar to chili powder and simply sprinkle it around rat hot spots.

Rats Hate Ammonia

If you see a pattern here, it’s because there is one: strong scents.

Ammonia has a pretty harsh chemical smell to it. When used in the home, it comes in the form of ammonium hydroxide. Lots of people use it to clean surfaces like tubs, tiles, and sinks.

Another way to use your household ammonia is to repel rats. The easiest way to repel rats with ammonium hydroxide is to soak some rags or cotton balls in it and place them in open bags or containers.

Place the bags/containers in areas where you want to repel rats from. Think attic spaces or windowsills, basement drainpipes, or areas where you’ve seen rat droppings.

Used Coffee Grounds Deter Rats

Did you ever think you’d find a use for those old spent coffee grounds? Well, now you do! Instead of chucking them in your garbage, use them to repel your household pests.

Coffee grounds, especially hot-brewed coffee grounds, have a bitter flavor in addition to a strong scent. This double-whammy works as a great repellent for rats.

Now, obviously, you don’t want to just place those squishy wet coffee grounds directly on surfaces. Instead, take a similar approach to ammonia. Place your spent coffee grounds in an open plastic bag or container and set those around your hot spots.

If you need to repel rats from your garden, you can simply chuck them directly in the garden. Coffee grounds are great for composting, so they’re likely to help fertilize your garden in addition to repelling pests like rats and deer!

Peppermint, Wintergreen & Spearmint Will Repel Rats

These all sound like great chewing gum flavors, right? Minty-smelling things tend to keep pests away, whether it be oils or the plant itself.

Tomcat Repellents Rodent Repellent is an excellent ready-to-use commercial repellent with peppermint oil as one of the main ingredients. It’s advertised to last 30 days but advises more frequent application after heavy rain or if increased rat activity is present.

Another option is to plant peppermint plants around your home and garden. This is a long game but will pay off. Peppermint is a perennial plant, which means it only needs to be planted once, and it will return each spring on its own.

Try planting peppermint next to your more vulnerable vegetables in your garden like carrots, potatoes, squash, and pumpkin, all of which are favorites to a rat.

Essential oils are another option. 10-15 drops of Ethereal Nature 100% Pure Oil, Peppermint can be added to 1 cup of water and placed in a spray bottle. Spearmint oil and wintergreen oil work in a similar fashion.

Another way to use peppermint to repel rats is to soak cotton balls in the peppermint oil and strategically place cotton balls in areas where rats have nested or where they are prone to go.

If you don’t have peppermint oil and want to act fast – grab your peppermint toothpaste – and add that onto some cloth, and place the cloths wherever you are having the rat problem.

Cloves Deter Rats

Another great way to repel rats is by using cloves and clove oil! Rats hate the smell of cloves because not only can it smell clean, it also spells spicy – it’s a two-in-one!

Using whole cloves, you can wrap them in a cloth and place them in areas outdoors and indoors to get rid of rats. Placing whole cloves in vents and any openings that you see within the walls of your home can also be helpful.

If you are using clove oil, soaking cotton balls in the oil and placing the cotton balls around your outdoor and indoor spaces can work wonders!

Eucalyptus Shows Promise at Repelling Rats

Eucalyptus trees and shrubs are native to Australia and its neighboring islands. These tall trees are part of the myrtle family.

In a study conducted in 2014, eucalyptus oil was applied to food at three concentrations: 5%, 10%, and 20%. At all three concentrations, rats were repelled from the food.

To use eucalyptus oil yourself, you can purchase something like Ethereal Nature 100% Pure Oil, Eucalyptus. Place 10-15 drops of the oil in a cup of water and place the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray in areas where you notice rat damage or in areas you think they’re getting inside.

The Smell of Predators Will Scare Rats Away

In many cases, predator urine can be used to keep pests away from your yard and garden. However, rats are a special case and don’t seem to be bothered by the scent of cat or mongoose urine.

Besides, you definitely DON’T want that kind of scent in your home!

A study reported in the Journal of Neuroscience found that rats exhibit defensive behavior when exposed to the scent of cats, including hiding, avoiding, and risk assessment.

Your cat doesn’t have to be a mouser to aid you in your task of repelling rats. All it needs to do is have a bed, blanket, or old collar that it loves to sleep on and rub all over.

If your rat problem is secluded to one area, you can place the cat-smelling object in that area. If you have multiple suspected problem areas, try cutting the blanket or bed up into pieces and spreading it around, stuffing it into open holes or near drain pipes.

Don’t have a cat? Ask your friends or neighbors for old cat toys or blankets they no longer use. You may get a weird look, but hey, if it works, it works!

Use Cat Fur to Repel Rats

Based on the study above, you can also use cat fur and place it in areas that rats may frequent to repel them!

If you have a cat, and even if you don’t – any pet hair will work; gathering some cat hair that has shed off your pet and sprinkling it around rat-prone areas and entryways will definitely keep rats away both indoor and outdoor.

Even if the rat doesn’t see the cat itself, it will smell it, and that is enough to keep them away from those spaces.

If your cat doesn’t shed too much, taking a brush and brushing your pet, and using whatever hair comes off, will be perfect!

White Vinegar as a Rat Repellent

White vinegar has a strong smell without question. It has a spice to it, a sting to it, and overall, it is just strong and unpleasant. But enough about me and why I don’t like the smell of white vinegar, what is important here is that rats hate the smell of white vinegar.

White vinegar not only smells bad for a rat, but it also can sting going down if they take a lick at it. The crazy thing about white vinegar is that it will make rats frightened, especially if you already have rats that are nesting.

Adding white vinegar by soaking cotton balls in white vinegar, or by making diluted water and white vinegar spray and spraying it outside your home (not recommended for indoor since it is totally overwhelming) – white vinegar will confuse any rats that have already been an issue.

White vinegar is so strong and so shocking to a rat – especially if it wasn’t one of the smells the rats had initially smelled where they decided to build their nest.

Adding white vinegar will simply make rats feel like something new is in their environment and something new and unknown means threat.

Citronella Oil Repels Rats

Rats hate citronella. It’s kind of funny if you think of it because apart from being an overwhelming scent to a rat – it kind of smells clean, doesn’t it? Clean and fresh is a no-go when it comes to rats, so we are not surprised that they hate citronella!

Citronella is a widely hated scent in the animal kingdom. Because it is so strong smelling, the scent will overwhelm a rat’s senses and will make it almost impossible for a rat to hunt for food and protect itself from predators.

A study published in Applied Biological Research showed that rats consumed significantly less food in areas where citronella oil was present vs. areas where it wasn’t. Additionally, researchers found that a concentration of 10% citronella oil led to an increase in the effectiveness of the repellent.

Rats are scent-driven, which means they rely on their scent for most things. Citronella is so strong that a rat will surely avoid it because not being able to smell will make them feel unsafe.

While you can try to plant citronella, you really need concentrated amounts of it to work. So, if you want to use citronella oil to repel rats, you can purchase your favorite 100% essential oil concentration and dilute it down to about 10% concentration.

You can then soak some rags in your mixture or even cotton balls (or a spray) and place the citronella scent around areas where you want to repel rats.

Other Ways to Keep Rats Away

The best natural pest repellents will be a combination of a few different techniques. Just because your scent deterrent doesn’t repel them completely does not mean it isn’t working. You may just need to add another deterrent to keep them away for good.

If you’re interested in keeping rats away from your shed, take a look at our piece on repelling rats and mice from your shed here.

Keep Clean & Tidy

Rats love a free buffet, and if you leave your garbage out without sealing it up tight, rats are bound to be attracted to it. Be sure to clean your countertops regularly and wipe up any spills as well.

Sanitation also includes keeping your yard clean. Keep building materials and wood off the ground if able—Trim hedges, trees, shrubs, and vines that are growing close to or on your house. Keep pet food and water dishes inside the house.

Practice Rat Exclusion

Rats can fit through any space that is ½ inch or larger. Be sure to seal up any spaces that are larger than this, such as vents, drain pipes, or electrical wiring openings.

Rats can easily chew through caulking and wood (and duct tape, more on that here), so if you want to really seal up, those holes use sheet metal or metal wire fences with less than ½ inch openings.

If you already have openings like this and need to protect them, check out our piece on the 3 best rat traps here.

3 Ways to Check if You Have a Rat Problem

If you’re not sure if you have a rat problem but suspect that you may – it’s best to get ahead of the game and make sure that you don’t, because if you do have one, it’s only going to get worse the longer you allow rats to stay.

However, it’s not always easy to distinguish if you have a rat problem- especially if you do have a lot of clutter. So, there are a few ways to check if you have a rat problem.

Check for Rat Droppings

Rat droppings are the number 1 sign that you have a rat problem. If you see little, black droppings, there is a good chance there are rats nearby – and it’s time to call in a professional.

Inspect Outdoors for Rat Holes

Check your outdoor surroundings for holes. If you start to notice mysterious holes outside your home, not too large, but basically the size of a rat, you may have a rat problem.

Rats dig and burrow, and if you start to see holes, especially near foundations – it can be a sign that rats have invaded your space.

Sprinkle Powder or Flour Where You Suspect Rats

Sprinkling powder or flour on the floor, or wherever you think rats are, is an easy way to check to see if rats are around because they will step in the substance and leave little footprints.

Placing powder in areas where you suspect a rat can be the easiest way to get an answer, and fast!

Bringing It All Together

Rats can be a nuisance around your home and garden. They chew wood, chew electrical wires, leave droppings, and chow down on your garden vegetables and fruit trees.

The two main types of rats in the United States are Norway rats and roof rats. Roof rats hang out on upper floors, powerlines, and trees. Norway rats prefer the basement and sewer pipes.

You can repel rats from your yard, house, and garden using scents they dislike. These include:

Clover Plant

Garlic

Onion

Hot Sauce

Cayenne Peppers

House Ammonia

Used Coffee Grounds

Wintergreen

Peppermint

Spearmint

Eucalyptus

Cloves

Predator (cat) Scent

White Vinegar

Citronella Oil

If you’re ever unsure about a rat problem or feel the situation has gotten out of control, you can always seek professional help to take care of the rats.

Remember that using a combination of scent-based and physical deterrents will give you the best results so you can have a rat-free home and yard in no time!

References

Baylis, S. M., Cassey, P., & Hauber, M. E. (2012, September 01). Capsaicin as a Deterrent Against Introduced Mammalian Nest Predators. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 124(3), 518-524. https://meridian.allenpress.com/wjo/article-abstract/124/3/518/129603/Capsaicin-as-a-Deterrent-Against-Introduced

Kandil, R. A., Mobarak, S. A., & Abdelhady, E. A. (2021). Testing the Repellent Effect of Clover Plant, Trifollium alexandrium Juice Against Black Rat, Rattus rattus, to Protect Stores. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences, B. Zoology, 13(1), 173-181. https://journals.ekb.eg/article_171382.html

McGregor, L. S., Hargreaves, G. A., Apfelbach, R., & Hunt, G. E. (2004, April 28). Neural Correlates of Cat Odor-Induced Anxiety in Rats: Region-Specific Effects of the Benzodiazepine Midazolam. Journal of Neuroscience, 24(17), 4134-4144. https://www.jneurosci.org/content/24/17/4134

Singla, N., Thind, R. K., & Mahal, A. K. (2014). Potential of Eucalyptus Oil as Repellent against House Rat, Rattus rattus. Scientific World Journal. 249284

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