Natural Remedies to Repel Rats
Rats. Even the word can send a chill down your spine, right? Whether you’ve spotted one in your attic, heard scratching at night, or found gnaw marks on your pantry items, you know they’re more than just an inconvenience—they’re a genuine problem. While traditional methods like traps and poisons might be the first solutions that come to mind, there are plenty of natural remedies that can work just as well—and are safer for your family and pets.
As a professional wildlife removal expert, I’ve seen firsthand how effective natural repellents can be for keeping rats at bay. I’ve helped homeowners in suburban neighborhoods deal with everything from minor mouse sightings to full-blown rat infestations, and natural solutions are often a great first step. Let’s dive into some of the best natural remedies for repelling rats from your home—and I’ll share a few tips from my own experience along the way.
Why Rats Are Attracted to Your Home
Before we talk about how to get rid of rats, it’s important to understand why they’re so drawn to your home in the first place. Once you know what’s attracting them, it’ll be easier to deter them.
Food Sources
Rats are opportunistic feeders, which means they’ll eat just about anything they can find. Leftover pizza crust in the trash? They’ll snack on it. Half-eaten granola bar sitting on the counter? It’s theirs. When I was called out to a local family’s house last winter, we found that the rats had been feasting on bags of dog food that were left uncovered in the pantry. As soon as we sealed the bags properly, the rats lost their food source and moved on to other areas.
Warmth and Shelter
When it starts to get colder outside, rats are eager to find a warm, safe place to nest. Suburban homes with attics, basements, or even cluttered garages are perfect spots. I remember one client who had a rat infestation in their attic—complete with a whole nest of baby rats—because the attic was poorly insulated and hadn’t been sealed properly. Once we added better insulation and sealed up entry points, the rats couldn’t get in anymore.
Entry Points
Rats are small and incredibly nimble. They can squeeze through cracks the size of a dime, so no space is too small for them to get through. I’ve been in homes where the rats were sneaking in through tiny gaps around plumbing pipes, and once inside, they made themselves at home. The key to keeping them out is being diligent about sealing up any potential entry points.
Natural Remedies to Repel Rats
If you’re dealing with rats, there are several natural remedies that can help keep them at bay. I’ve used a lot of these techniques myself, and they can be quite effective, especially when combined with other preventative measures.
1. Essential Oils: A Strong Scent Can Go a Long Way
Rats, like most rodents, have sensitive noses. They don’t like strong smells, which is why essential oils can be a powerful tool in repelling them.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular natural remedies for rats. I’ve had homeowners tell me that when they soaked cotton balls in peppermint oil and placed them around the house, they noticed fewer rats. Rats are especially sensitive to minty scents, and the strong aroma can make them feel unwelcome. You can place soaked cotton balls in corners, behind furniture, or near entry points. If you want to take it a step further, you can make a DIY spray by mixing peppermint oil with water and spraying it along baseboards, windowsills, and other rat-prone areas.
Eucalyptus Oil
Another essential oil that works well to repel rats is eucalyptus. It’s similar to peppermint in that rats can’t stand the smell. I’ve used it in homes where the infestation was more persistent, and it seemed to drive the rats away. You can use eucalyptus oil the same way you would use peppermint oil—either on cotton balls or in a spray form. I’d recommend mixing it with a few drops of water to dilute it, as pure essential oils can be quite strong.
Citronella Oil
You’ve probably heard of citronella as a mosquito repellent, but it works just as well for rats. I once worked with a homeowner who had tried everything else, but rats were still getting into their basement. A combination of eucalyptus and citronella oil finally did the trick. You can use citronella in the same manner as the other oils—just be sure to place it in areas where rats are likely to travel.
2. Garlic and Hot Peppers: A Spicy Deterrent
Rats aren’t fans of anything spicy. That’s why garlic and hot pepper mixtures can be a great way to repel them. I’ve had success with a simple DIY spray that combines garlic and hot pepper flakes with water. The combination of pungent garlic and the heat from the peppers creates an aroma that rats can’t stand. I remember one homeowner who had rats chewing through their garden hose—when we sprayed the garlic-pepper mixture around the house’s perimeter, the rats never came back.
To make your own natural spray, blend a few cloves of garlic with hot pepper flakes (or chili powder) and water. Let it sit for an hour, strain out the solids, and use the liquid as a spray around entry points or areas where rats are active.
3. Ammonia: A Simulated Predator Scent
Rats are prey animals, and they have a natural fear of predators. The strong smell of ammonia mimics the scent of a predator’s urine, which can cause rats to flee. I’ve seen ammonia work wonders in deterring rats when other methods failed.
You can soak rags in ammonia and place them near entry points or areas where you’ve noticed rat activity. However, use caution—ammonia can be harmful to pets and children, so only use it in areas that are inaccessible to them.
4. Diatomaceous Earth: A Pest-Control Powder
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is an all-natural substance made from fossilized algae. While it’s often used for insect control, it can also work for rats—though not as a repellent, but as a way to control them. DE works by drying out the exoskeletons of pests, which can kill them over time. When sprinkled around areas where rats are active, it can help reduce their numbers.
A client once had an ongoing rat problem in their attic, and after applying diatomaceous earth, the rat population began to dwindle. Just keep in mind that DE doesn’t work as an immediate solution, so it’s best used as a supplemental method in combination with other deterrents.
Preventative Measures to Keep Rats Away
Natural remedies are a great way to repel rats, but they’re even more effective when combined with good prevention practices. I always tell homeowners that the best way to deal with rats is to make their home as uninviting as possible. Here’s how you can do that:
Seal Entry Points
Rats are excellent climbers and can fit through incredibly small spaces. I’ve seen rats enter homes through gaps as small as a nickel. Check your home’s exterior for cracks and holes around doors, windows, vents, and plumbing pipes. Seal them up with caulking, steel wool, or metal mesh to block their access.
Clean Up Food Sources
Rats will keep coming back if they have easy access to food. Store all food in airtight containers, clean up crumbs and spills promptly, and keep your trash cans sealed tightly. I once helped a family who had rats nesting in their garage simply because they had a bowl of dog food left out overnight. A simple fix of securing the food solved the problem.
Keep Your Yard Tidy
Rats love to hide in dense shrubs, piles of leaves, or debris in your yard. Trim back any plants that are too close to your home, and make sure there’s no woodpile or clutter that could give rats a place to nest. I recommend trimming tree branches away from your house as well, as rats can use them to access your roof.
When to Call a Professional
While natural remedies can work wonders, there are times when professional intervention is necessary. If you’ve tried several natural methods and still notice signs of rats, or if you have a significant infestation, it might be time to call in a wildlife removal expert. They can help identify entry points you might have missed, safely trap rats, and offer long-term solutions to prevent a future infestation.
