Rats are unwanted visitors. They are always there to damage everything they come across, whether it’s food, clothes, or furniture. Also, they carry dangerous diseases like hantavirus, and lymphocytic, among others which may affect you and your loved ones.
DIY Rat Prevention: 5 Natural Methods for Deterring Rats
Getting rid of rats can be done without poisons. By this, we mean eliminating them without even necessarily killing them using natural ingredients. If you have a rat problem in your Maryland home, you’re probably thinking of natural ways to get rid of them. The good news is that there are several natural methods for deterring rats. Our professionals at Shumaker’s have discussed them below.
1. Trapping
Trapping has been the most common way to get rid of rats. There are different types of traps in the market, but the human trap is the most recommended.
This trap will only catch them, and it won’t harm them. While using these traps, you need to attract the rats to those traps by using their favorite foods like cheese, peanuts, meat, and likewise items. When they attempt to eat the food, they’ll be trapped there, and you can catch them and relocate them to a wildlife-safe location far from your home.
2. Use Essential Oils
Natural deterrent methods are one of the best ways to get rid of rats at home. There is a list of the best essential oils for eliminating rats. They include:
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Castor oil
The strong scent of these oils can dissuade rats. This method works best when you apply the oils around your home. You can also distill the oils with water and spray them around the house. But, if you have pets in your home, you need to be cautious because these repellents can be toxic to your furry friends.
3. Get Rid of Food Waste and Odors
Rats invade homes in search of food, water, and shelter. When they detect a garbage smell, they’ll create a shelter there. They will invade open trash bins or feed on food that scatters on the ground.
To prevent this, ensure that your home is clean and the trash can lids are properly closed. Ensure that you clean all food after eating, clean all surfaces, and all pets’ food remains. You should also check all the entries and close them all.
4. Use Onions or Garlic
Many people dislike the onion smell, even though it’s non-toxic. Rats don’t tolerate it either, making it an excellent way to eradicate them from your home. Slice your onions and place them in the areas where rats are inhabiting. Make sure to replace them once they get rotten since they can be toxic to kids and pets.
5. Use Dried Cat Litter
Cats are known to be natural predators of rats. You can buy dried cat litter from a pet store and place it in the holes where rats usually inhabit. If rats find traces of their enemies, they’ll automatically stop coming back to your house.
Reach Out to Shumaker’s Animal Control
You can undoubtedly get rid of rats in your home without killing them. But again, it can be a bit challenging if they are in large numbers. At this point, you need to contact a professional animal control company to help you.
At Shumaker’s Animal Control, we can safely and humanely eliminate all the rats from your home. We will also seal all their hideouts and entry points to prevent them from returning.
Reach out to us today. Visit our website, check our services, and fill out our contact form. You can also call us at 443-854-8074 for more information.