Rats are arguably one of the worst pests that you can have infest your home in Australia. They scuttle around in the walls and scratch the ceilings at night; they spread diseases, chew through electrical wires, destroy property, and...
Rats are arguably one of the worst pests that you can have infest your home in Australia. They scuttle around in the walls and scratch the ceilings at night; they spread diseases, chew through electrical wires, destroy property, and are widely considered as being an invasive species. The worst part? They reproduce rapidly.
So, what do you do if you suspect you have a rat infestation in your property?
In this article, we’re going to highlight what rats hate the most – specifically the sounds and smells that are most likely to put them off sticking around your property for good. Ready?
What sounds do rats hate?
The use of various sounds can actually be a rather effective way to scare off rats. However, while some of these following tips can be impactful in the short term, it is worth considering the fact that most rats can and do adapt – so make sure you switch things up regularly.
Of course, if you have a rodent problem, you should go ahead and hire the rat pest control experts to be on the safe side. However, if you wish to try out a few sounds and smells as a preventative measure to deter the rats near your property then give these a try:
Utilise various machinery: the sound of heavy machinery is another thing that rats absolutely hate. So, good news if you like to keep busy in your home and garden doing DIY. Try firing up some of the following: Chainsaw (why not try lopping those branches back from the side of your home to make it even harder for the rats to get in?) Lawnmower (keeping your lawn well-trimmed is also paramount if you wish to deter rats in the first place). Vacuum (you can also keep your home clean, tidy, and clutter-free to prevent an infestation). Weed trimmer (it’s noisy and you can use it around the outside of your home to prevent rats from burrowing). Car engine Ultrasonic devices: some (not all) ultrasonic devices have proven to be effective rodent deterrents…for a short time at least. Unfortunately, rats will get used to the ultrasonic sound and may eventually return. Your pet: rats are most fearful of predators such as cats and dogs. The good news is that if you have a pet in your home, you’ll be far less likely to suffer a rodent problem as both the sound and the smell of your furry companion will frighten them off.
Sound to make if you come face to face with a rat
Of course, if you encounter a rat, that should be enough to scare them away, however, should you be scared or just want to double down, you can always try these sounds that they are sure to hate.
Clap your hands: clapping is sudden, loud and sharp. Should you encounter a rat and feel threatened, clap harshly in their direction and they’ll be certain to scuttle away in fear! Stomp your feet: stomping is certainly less effective if you are in a carpeted area of your home or outside on your lawn, however, in the right circumstances, a loud stomp coupled with the vibrations through the floor can be an effective rodent deterrent. Scream at them: it might sound rather silly, yelling at a rat, however, if you want to scare one off, there are few tricks quite so handy as hurling some ear-piercing verbal abuse.
What smells do rats hate?
The thought of using smell to repel rats might not appeal to you at first, however, the good news is that most of the smells that rats hate, are actually rather pleasant to humans. Here are a few examples:
Predators: (again, if you haven’t got a cat or a dog, perhaps it’s time to welcome one to the family). Essential oils: rats particularly cannot stand essential oils and the best thing about using these is the fact that the scents are incredibly powerful. Add a few drops to a spray bottle and spread it around; specifically, the following… Citronella Castor Peppermint White vinegar: rats are especially un-fond of white vinegar – which is good news as it is a very common household ingredient. You can dampen some cotton wool balls with white vinegar or simply add some to a spray bottle with water as mentioned above. And it’s not just the smell; the taste repels rats as well. Clover plants: rats cannot stand clover so if you have some plants in your garden, harvest some flowers and scatter them around your home – especially in the problem areas where you may have noticed rodent activity. Cayenne pepper: as much as we humans love spicy food, most rodents and mammals are less excited about eating food that burns the mouth, makes the eyes water, and comes out the other end like a flamethrower. So, get some chilli flakes or cayenne pepper and add it to your spray bottle mixture with water and get start spritzing. Garlic: the allicin in garlic is what gives it a very distinctive odour and this is an evolutionary tactic designed to repel predators. It works. Onions work in a similar fashion as well. Ammonia: ammonia has a very harsh chemical smell to it so it may not be so appealing to you as an option, however, it is an effective rat deterrent if all else fails.
Other ways to keep rats away?
Otherwise, prevention tactics can be very useful in making your home unattractive to rats, such as a thorough de-clutter and deep cleaning, isolating food and water sources, and sealing small cracks and potential entry points around your home (to name a few).
As mentioned earlier, the most effective means of getting rid of a rodent infestation is to hire professionals. At Expert Pest Control we are well-versed in dealing with rat infestations of all sizes and severity. So, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and can’t seem to get rid of those pesky rats, contact us today!
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