Rats are pesky critters that can cause significant damage if they get into your home. These large and often diseased rodents can chew through any material to access your home for shelter. Fortunately, there are a few home remedies you can try to get rid of rats naturally.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Rats
- Ammonia
Ammonia is a chemical found in rat urine which the critters use to mark their territory. If they smell ammonia near their nest, they’ll leave because they’ll think another rat has claimed the space. Mix a small amount of ammonia with water and place it in a bowl near common rat nesting sites like attics and pantries.
- Fake Predators
Rats won’t stay in a place if they feel they’re in danger. Owls and snakes are natural predators to rats, so you can scare rats off by placing a few owl feathers or plastic snakes around your home and yard to fool the rats into thinking there is a dangerous predator nearby.
- Peppermint Oil
Rats rely on their strong sense of smell to find food. However, some smells are overwhelming to them and will force them to leave. Peppermint is a scent that is pleasant to humans, but bitter to rodents. A few cotton balls soaked in peppermint oil can be enough to deter rats from hanging around.
- Pepper Flakes
Pepper is another scent that rats don’t like, and it tastes bad to them too. Sprinkle pepper flakes around infested areas and replace it every few days until your rat issue is resolved.
- Mothballs
Mothballs are made of pesticides and deodorants that help to keep pests away. Their smell can be toxic to rats and can help to drive them away from your property. However, it’s important to be careful when handling mothballs as the same chemicals can cause health risks to people.
Get Rid of Rats Today with Critter Control® of Polk County
While the above home remedies may provide short-term rat relief, the best and most effective way to get rid of rats is to call the pest control experts at Critter Control® of Polk County. Instead of using harsh methods involving pesticides, our four-step CritterSafe® process is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and humane. To schedule your inspection and receive a free estimate for our effective rat removal services, call Critter Control® of Polk County today at 863-204-2815.
