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How to Repel Rodents from House?

There are a number of ways to get rid of mice. And the best way to prevent mice is minimizing their food supply, using nesting materials, and harmful chemicals.

March 8, 2022

13 min read time

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This information is reviewed by an independent pest control expert.

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WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Just like humans, rodents have three basic needs; food, water, and shelter, and that is exactly what you have been sharing with them, but unwillingly.

As a homeowner, you know the feeling of unease and discontent that goes along with finding mice or rodents in your house. The feeling is pretty great, right?

Certainly not, not at all.

One primary reason rodents are unwelcome visitors is that they carry pathogens that they can transfer to you. It is said that several of these mouse infestations can be passed through mouse droppings, pet food, and urine.

The droppings are, in most cases, airborne because they will end up breaking down, thus resulting in the pollution of dust particles.

Taking a look at some of the disadvantages of entertaining rats in your home, you will realize that you will end up having two significant effects;

a) Number One: Health Effects

The collection of rats and mouse droppings can easily contaminate food sources, spread bacteria and activate itchy reactions to you.

At the same time, immediately the fecal matter dries up, it can be hazardous to your loved ones, more so when they inhale it. Furthermore, mice and rats’ feces can lead to the spread of both viruses and diseases.

Study shows that there are over 35 diseases that are caused by rodent infestation to humans. But the most common ones; are rat-bite fever, bubonic plague, hantavirus, among others, to mention a few.

Those are just a fraction of health effects and many others. Now we get to;

b) Number Two: Damages on property

Mice and rats can cause absolute destruction to apartments, homes, offices, or any other type of building. They harm by defecation, gnawing, and nest-building.

For instance, you may find a mouse chewing on your most valuable asset. It may be your favorite night-out dress, A seven-steps to becoming wealthy, handbook; at other times, the mouse may as well burrow on your newest leather couch.

Okay, enough of the effects, we all need a solution to the rodent menace, and so we have got good news. There are at least four questions that you need to tackle before completely doing away with the rodent thing.

What is a Natural Deterrent for Rodents?

Understanding this question is one of the first massive and essential steps that will help get rid of mice.  After understanding the natural deterrent for rodents, you will find out that the best mice repellents are found in Thanos.

The most common ones include; Peppermint butter, cayenne peppercorn, salt.

There are some instances where you will find that these rodents can’t tolerate that. In that case, ensure that these cotton balls are dried in some food oil before use. There are also other alternatives. You may, for example, explore the following.

a) Predator Urine

This method is straightforward; you have to trick the rats into thinking of a predator close by.

The only disadvantage with this trick is that it’s a bit difficult, especially when they have already gotten into your house. Or unless you’re willing to entertain the smell of urine in your house.

b) Keeping Plants Around

Undoubtedly, bringing plants around is almost the best of them all.

Reason?

While you’re keeping the plants inside the house, they provide and improve on the aesthetic of your house, besides taking care of some unwanted visitors, such as insects and other minute animals.

c) Home-made Rat Repellents

Naturally, rats and mice can not stand the smell of ammonia. That means that this rat repellent will be effective, especially when you follow the following steps.;

Step one  – Pour the vinegar and ammonia in a spray bottle before mixing them well.

Step two   – Spray the repellent anywhere that you may be suspecting any hideous rat activity.

Step three – Using the mixture, spray cotton balls on all sides of the house. (This is easy, especially when you do not have enough time for spraying.

Note that high ammonia concentration is hazardous to both your eyes and skin.

Step four – Make use of essential oils. These oils are advantageous because they leave your house with a great smell apart from natural repellent.

You can always use peppermint oil which naturally keeps mice away. Alternatively, if you can’t make your mixture, you can consider buying Rat Magic, a crucial oil-based for outdoor use.

Some of the advantages of rodent repellants include:

  • Efficient and affordable
  • Keeps you safe from diseases that are spread by rodents.
  • It is a safe method for you and your pets.
  • It is a rodent control method that is productive in the long run.
  • Ensures the value and integrity of your properties.
  • Some of the methods are easy to apply.
  • Reduces rodents’ burrows.
  • Systems like trap barriers can trap a large number of rats.

On the other hand, some of the disadvantages include:

  • Other methods can be expensive.
  • There is no evidence of whether it works in vast areas.
  • Sometimes dangerous if protective gears are not worn.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers work on mice?

What Smells Do Rats Absolutely Hate?

Rats tend to possess a potent ability to smell, which you can use against them, and repel them from your garden and home areas. Some of the smells aren’t exactly bad for us human beings, but very irritating to the rats.

An example is peanut butter, which helps repel mice away from your home.

Basically, there are three kinds of smells that vermin hate with passion; predator smells, natural and chemical smells. This helps get rid of mice permanently.

Let’s check out some of these smells that help in keeping mice away.

a) Predator Smells

Just as mentioned above, mice tend to dislike the odors of their predators. For example, if a rat comes across a place that smells like a raccoon, ferret, or cat, there is no chance it will remain in that area.

According to research by Thanos, rats’ stress hormones rise when they are open to the smells of either ferrets or cats.

Therefore, because the smell of a rat predator causes fear in the rodents, keeping such pets can be one of the ways of repelling them. It’s, however, crucial to remember that when cornered using mouse traps, rats can become very aggressive.

Their aggressiveness can, in turn, transmit diseases that carry parasites to your pet; one even seriously hurts them as they fight back.

b) Natural Smell

It is said that, among the three repellents, the only thing which is a demerit is that its natural smell is the most fragile.

That is because if rodents can stand the smell from sewers and other foul smells, then citronella, eucalyptus, and others may not have adverse effects as expected.

  • Chili Powder: When rats inhale chili scent, it creates irritation in their nasal passage. And, of course, the rodents will not get back to that place. It would help to sprinkle the powder in the areas infested with rodents daily to keep them away.
  • Citronella: Rats typically avoid areas that are spread with citronella oil. The oil also tends to reduce the appetites of rodents. There is usually a significant bodyweight loss when rats are exposed to citronella odor.
  • Peppermint oil: Peppermint by nature possesses a delightful smell to humans. But to mice, it’s a big no.  When you are keen, you will realize that rats spend way less hanging around areas with peppermint scents. The process of using peppermint repellent is straightforward; put a few drops of the oil on a cotton ball after that, and then put the cotton ball in an area you suspect rat activity. Alternatively, you can choose to plant peppermint plants around your homestead to keep the rodents at bay.
  • Eucalyptus: Numerous homeowners prefer this method to peppermint because of its milder scent. A 5% eucalyptus concentration will keep the rodents away from your food. Instead of putting eucalyptus oil drops on a cotton ball, the oil is typically diluted in 20%, 10%, or even 5%, respectively. You are only required to spray the solution on the route of the rodents.
  • Chemical Smell: Rodencidents bought from stores are very effective because they kill or deter mice. You only need to handle them with care because some of them are very toxic hence may be harmful to your health. Therefore, you will need to carefully read the instructions on the labels to prevent poisoning or any health hazard. Here are the three familiar chemical smells that get rid of mice.

C) Bleach

Even though bleach is also used as a cleaning agent at home, it is a harmful chemical to the mouse population, thus has the power to keep rodents away. Apart from mice repelling, bleach also disinfects areas that contain urine, blood, and rat droppings.

D) Mothballs

Made from naphthalene, mothballs are solid substances that will still linger around your homestead only to ensure that the rodents are wholly repelled. The only demerit of mothballs requires you to use enormous substances for good effect.

E) Ammonia Smells

The reason why ammonia is a common deterrent is that it by default imitates the smell given off by rodent predators, the likes of cats, ferrets, and others.

To use ammonia, put two scoops of detergent, then blend two cups of the chemical around 6.5 oz of water. You can then pour the solution into a bowl before placing it in the path of the rodents.

Point to note: It is vital to recognize the best scents that will perfectly and completely repel the rodents.

What can you put around your house to keep the rats away?

Mouse traps are ineffective when you are serious about keeping rats away from your house. This simple and natural remedy will help you keep those furry little creatures going for good.

As innocent as they seem, rodents can create dangerous conditions in your home. That is why you have to do the following to keep them away thoroughly.

a) Make use of bait traps, classic wooden snap traps, and poison

These aid in reducing mouse infestation. Mice hate these toxic poisons and baits should be kept outside the house, especially along their paths.

You have to keep them outside because the rats can spread the poison around your home, which tends to endanger everyone.

You should also make sure that you keep the bait where pets and children cannot reach it. And if possible, ensure the bait is in an enclosed bait station.

b) Keep necessary pets

If you love pets, and not just any pet, but ones like ferrets or cats, then you are sorted. These two do not see eye to eye with rats. The two little animals will ease the work of chasing around or applying chemicals almost everywhere in your home.

For the safety purpose of your pets. Keep all rat poisons in the store and let the pets do the job for you. Using both poison and pets to keep the rodents away may end up endangering your pets.

c) Spraying peppermint oil for mice

If you are not friends with a house full of peppermint, then you can reconsider. You only need to spray the oil in different parts of your house where you suspect mice can access.

There are also cases where you may want to catch the mouse; here, make sure that you strategically spray the oil in regions that do not have mouse traps. In speculation, this will lead them to where you have placed it.

All that you will be doing is repel those creatures from your house. But, to completely do away with this problem once and for all.

How do you get rid of rodents around your house?

There are a number of ways to get rid of mice.

And the best way to prevent mice is minimizing their food supply, using nesting materials, and harmful chemicals. Which come in handy if you’re looking to completely remove mice away from your house.

Here are other ways to get rid of mice.

a) Get Rid of Food Supply

Mice naturally consume a minimal amount of food. To get rid of the entire population, remove everything that they like eating. You can, for example, store away pet foods, all dry foods and keep grains in metal or airtight containers.

To prevent them from invading your property, deal with any unsealed foods that may be a good potential for storing food in sealed packets. Such places may include spills underneath couches or roof bins. The advantage of this type of elimination is that it’s more humane and affordable.

b) Remove Their Habitat

Don’t provide these vermin with a “homeplace”. Take care of cluttered areas and debris such as old cars, appliances, and limbs from your property.

If you have lumber or woodpiles, you can consider storing them at least 20 or more inches from the ground or away from your walls.

Another zone that rodents considered the best hiding place is heavy vegetation. Get rid of such cluttered areas. By doing so, you will not share your house with vermin.

c) Set Snap Traps Inside

Cage or mouse traps, for example, are one of the best commercial bait stations that you can use inside your house as a mousetrap. They are not dangerous to your children or pets.

You can as well employ glue traps to get rid of these pests, which are also perfect for rodent control. That’s much better especially if you identify rodent activity.

d) Seal all entry points

When the temperature is dipping, they will be seeking shelter in your house. Please do not give the rodents easy access to your house; block their entrance using caulk and the tiny holes which slide through your doorway.

You may also consider poking steel wool to vent entries to all tiny holes hence discouraging entry without hindering the flow of air.

The only bottleneck of this method is that, apart from having to check regularly, it requires proper maintenance and it’s labor-intensive.

However, the advantage of sealing all entry points is that It is very effective, humane, eco-friendly, and safe for your family members, including your household pets.

d) Use Ultrasonic Repeller

According to experts, the ultrasonic unit is one of the most effective ways of keeping these unwelcome guests away. For example, you can use a Thanos mouse repellant to get rid of mice.

Apart from their effectiveness, these deterrent devices are very safe for your pets, other animals, and your kids. Therefore, should you start noticing some mouse activities in your house, do not hesitate to visit Thanos for the best ultrasonic deterrent device.

The good news is that with ultrasonic devices, you will experience an effective way of riding the entire population from your home besides its low maintenance and profile.

Do ultrasonic pest repellers work on mice?

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