Anyone who has clearly identified the typical signs of a rat infestation is faced with the big question of how to combat it. Strong-smelling home remedies prove to be first aid. The right precautionary measures are just as important.
How to keep rats away with smells?
To keep rats away, strong smells such as vinegar, turpentine, essential oils (cloves, peppermint, chamomile), used cat litter and hot spices (chilli, cayenne pepper) can be used. Regularly changing the substances prevents habituation effects.
lime color
Many lime paints intended for outdoor wood contain iron vitriol. The material protects against moss growth and fungus. Due to its corrosive properties, you should not use this substance indoors. However, iron vitriol lime can be helpful in controlling rats in the garden. Mix the powder with a little vinegar and water and pour the solution into small bowls that you place in garages and gazebos.
Strong smells
There are some substances that are intolerable to the delicate rat nose. It is often advised to soak a cloth with liquids or essential oils and stuff it into the rat's burrows. This method stops the animals from using the tunnels. However, they quickly look for an alternative to get to the food sources. It is therefore important to place the substances at all possible access points. Many aromas evaporate quickly, so you need to soak the rags regularly.
These smells help:
- Vinegar or turpentine
- essential oils of clove, peppermint or chamomile
- used cat litter
- Chili and cayenne pepper
Tip
If you continually use the same odorants, a habituation effect occurs. The rats are no longer impressed. Therefore, change the substances at irregular intervals.
Precautionary measures
To avoid attracting rats into your house and apartment, you should not dispose of leftover food in the toilet. Backflow flaps in the drain pipes prevent animals from getting through the sewage system. The rodents often get into the interior through slits under doors or through air vents. Mesh inserts with a maximum mesh size of 18 millimeters keep unwanted visitors away. Garbage should be kept out of reach and leftover food and meat have no place in the compost. Bird food also attracts pests.
Report rat infestation
If you notice rats in your house and garden, you should contact the relevant he alth authority. There is an obligation to report and the staff can give you further recommendations on what action you should take against the animals.
