Fighting away rats is not always easy, especially if we don't know the behavior of the species, since we are talking about rodents that reproduce extremely easily. Rats can also become unwanted visitors because, like other animals, they are capable of transmitting diseases to humans and vice versa.
In homes and apartments around the world, rats find shelter and food, using the minimum space and trying to go unnoticed in the extent possible. So, if you want to know how to drive away rats, in this article on our site you will discover x very effective non-harmful remedies to keep them away from your home and prevent them from coming back. Appear. Keep reading!
Characteristics of rats
Rats are rodents belonging to the family Muridae. They measure around 30 centimeters, have an elongated body and a pointed snout. They display a long, thin tail, as well as short dark brown, light brown, or black fur. Also discover on our site how to tell the difference between a rat and a mouse.
These animals are able to adapt to different environments, as they eat practically any food, swim, dig, climb and run. However, this same ability to adapt has led them to live in the aqueducts of the cities, where they can contract all kinds of diseases.
Among the diseases that rats transmit to humans we can highlight salmonella, parasites or bubonic plague. In addition, they can also suffer from infestations of external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, as well as internal parasites. For all these reasons, the ideal is to keep them from home. To find out how to scare away rats, read our recommendations below.
How to keep rats out of the house?
Discovering that there are rats living in your house can worry you, but you just need to put into practice the following tips on how to get rid of rats without killing them These are home remedies and solutions that will help you scare away these rodents naturally.
1. Deep cleaning
Rats settle in places where they find the right conditions to survive, so the first step is to eliminate those elements that are attractive to them. This requires a thorough cleaning of the house:
- Take out the garbage every day.
- Get airtight trash cans and close the bags very well.
- Make sure that sewers, sinks, drains and other water outlets are fixed and prevent the entry of animals.
- Carry out a thorough cleaning of all areas of the home. Use bleach or chlorine and take special care to move all furniture and appliances to clean behind them, especially in the kitchen. The idea is to remove any debris that could serve as food for the rats.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Don't leave food out in the open.
- Clean all kitchen surfaces when you stop using them. Get rid of boxes, old clothes, and items that have been in storage for a long time, as they create an environment for rats to hide in. Bet on plastic boxes with lids to keep your belongings.
- Spaces occupied by children and pets must be sanitized daily with vinegar or lemon, since bleach and chlorine they can be toxic to them.
- During the cleaning process you should wear gloves and a mask,since dust from dried rat feces is harmful to he alth.
You may need to do several cleanings and even hire a professional team to do it, this is a crucial step in scaring away rats.
two. Mint
Mint is among the most affective home remedies to drive away rats, as its strong smell repels them. You can use peppermint oil or fresh mint as follows:
- Soak cotton balls with mint oil, put the balls in glass containers and place them unclosed at the entrances to the house, windows and places where you have detected rats entering the home.
- You can place the fresh mint leaves in muslin bags and leave them in the same strategic spaces.
- The same mint leaves are used to prepare a cleanser. You just have to boil a mint tea, that is, emulsify several leaves in hot water for an hour. Then add the resulting water to a spray container and use it to clean different areas of your home.
Getting rats out of the house with mint is very simple, you just have to remember to change the leaves or cotton balls every 3 or 4 days, since they lose their smell.
3. Pepper and clove
Spices are excellent remedies to drive away rats without killing them. Not only are they natural, but you can also make them with ingredients you find in your kitchen. Gather several cloves and cayenne pepper, fill them in muslin bags and place them in different points of the house, the strong aroma will scare away the rats. Remember that you must replace them when you stop perceiving their effect.
4. Hot sauce and detergent
If you like hot sauce, you'll be glad to know that it's an excellent remedy for keeping rats out of your house. In a bowl, mix 1/2 part water, 1/2 part liquid detergent, and 20 drops of hot sauce. Use this homemade method to clean all types of surfaces It is not recommended if you have pets or children, as they could suffer irritation from the effect of the hot sauce.
5. Ammonia
The smell of ammonia is very unpleasant for rodents, since it is similar to that emitted by the urine of large predators, so it scares away rats easily. Purchase powdered ammonia and mix it with water. Then spray this home remedy in corners, behind furniture, and on problem areas. This method is not recommended if you have pets or children, as it is toxic to them.
6. Onion
How to drive away rats from the house with home remedies? Something as simple as onion will help you in this task. Using it is very easy: cut several onions into slices and place in open containers near windows, drains and areas where rats enter.
7. Ultrasound devices
When it comes to scaring away rats, ultrasound devices are among the most effective at doing so without harming these rodents. These devices are simple: they emit a low-frequency sound that is impossible for humans to hear, but is very unpleasant to rats, other rodents and some insects. You can buy them at home goods stores.
The only condition for the effectiveness of this equipment is to place it right in the path that the rats follow to enter your house, since the sound they transmit goes in only one direction.
How to keep rats out of the garden?
Now that you know how to get rid of rats in your house, you need to know how to get rid of rats in the garden. When these rodents invade a house, it is not enough to apply the remedies inside, you also need to apply them in the garden and surroundings. We offer you the following home remedies to scare away rats without killing them and without poison:
1. Mint
Mint is the star among the methods for the garden, you just have to plant several aromatic plants and make sure to keep them he althy. The rich and fresh aroma that its leaves give off will be very pleasant for your garden and will scare away rats at the same time.
two. Cleaning
Cleaning the garden is also crucial to keep rats away. Removes natural debris such as trunks, leaves, dry plants, among others. Also, keep trash cans sealed and eliminate standing water deposits.
3. Other aromatic plants
Mint isn't the only plant that scents your garden while keeping rats away. Just as effective lavender, calendula, peppermint and basil,just make sure you keep the plants he althy and water frequently, as this helps that release more powerful aromas.
4. Wire Mesh
If rats get into your yard through a fence, consider installing metal mesh to keep them out. It is a simple way to drive away rats without poison, because if they do not enter your home, you will not have a problem with them.
How to keep rats off the ceiling?
One of the places where rats take refuge is the ceiling. Scaring them away from there is a bit more complicated, but you can do it with the following tips.
- Identify cracks and crevices that allow rats to enter your home. You'll be amazed at how agile they are at getting into small spaces, so don't underestimate the cracks.
- When locating the cracks, seal on the inside, that is, on the side of the cracks that is inside the fireplace. Use putty, plaster or cement, depending on the size of the problem, and don't hesitate to hire a professional if necessary.
- Once the internal entrances are sealed, apply one or more of the home remedies to ward off rats that we have described above. In this way, they will not be able to enter the house and the only option to get away from the odors will be leaving the roof outside
- When you check that all the rats are gone, it's time to repair the external cracks You must make sure that none are trapped on the ceiling, it could chew through the walls to try and escape. On the outside, repair cracks and fissures with plaster and metal mesh.
- After a few days, check the house thoroughly for evidence of rats, such as feces, torn food bags, chewed objects, among others.
These are effective methods of repelling rats without poison and without killing them. Do not hesitate to hire professionals to carry out the repairs of your house if the cracks are pronounced.
