6 Ways to Keep Rodents Away with Natural Mouse and Rat Repellent

Discover 6 ways to keep rats and mice away from your home or business with natural mouse repellent methods—no need to buy a cat!

Our natural rodent deterrent strategies work effectively for both mice and rats.

They protect your property and the environment without relying on harmful chemicals, such as rat poison or inhumane glue traps. If you’re concerned about the humaneness of various traps, read our article on Are Glue Traps Humane?

Understand Rat Behavior

Before we talk about natural ways to keep rats away, it’s important to understand how they behave.

Rats are good climbers and swimmers and can squeeze through tiny openings. They eat almost anything and always seek food, water, and shelter.

Both rats and mice are primarily nocturnal animals. To better understand their nighttime activities, check out our detailed guide on Are Mice Nocturnal?

Common types of rats and mice include the Norway rat, roof rat, house mouse, and deer mouse.

They reproduce quickly and can cause a lot of damage by chewing through almost anything to find food.

Rats are also dangerous because they carry diseases that can harm you, your family, and your pets.

You might have rats if you see chew marks, droppings, or nests.

Follow this article to recognize the telltale signs of an infestation.

Understanding their behavior allows you to predict where they might go and take steps to keep them out.

Here are 6 natural mouse and rat deterrent methods.

Method 1: Block Entry Points

To keep rats away from your home, the first thing you need to do is block their entry points.

Look carefully around your home for any cracks or holes that rats might use to get inside.

Use caulk or steel wool to fill these gaps, especially around pipes, vents, and utility lines, because these are common places where rats can enter.

It’s also important to keep the outside of your home clean and free of clutter, as rats are attracted to messy areas.

Besides sealing gaps, using traps and barriers can help control the rat population. Choose humane traps that catch rats without hurting them.

Bait these traps with peanut butter or chocolate and place them where you’ve seen rats.

Once a rat is caught, you can release it far from your place into the wild, ensuring it stays safe.

Another important step is to rat-proof your home with wire mesh and hardware cloth.

Put these materials around chimneys and vents to create a strong barrier that rats can’t escape.

Use a mix of caulk and steel wool for larger gaps since steel wool is tough for rats to chew.

By taking these actions, you can protect your home from rats and keep them under control.

For ongoing protection, explore options like DIY rat repellent techniques here.

Method 2: Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are the second way to keep rats and mice away while adding a pleasant aroma to your home.

Peppermint, lemon, citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood, and lemongrass oils are all effective natural rodent repellents.

DIY Eco-Friendly Rat Repellent Recipes

Follow these 3 recipes to make a simple yet natural and effective rat deterrent.

Rats have a strong sense of smell and find the scents of these oils overpowering.

For example, peppermint oil is great because its pungent smell irritates rats’ noses.

Regular application is essential to keep the scent effective.

However, be careful with high doses of peppermint oil as it can irritate your skin and throat if used too often.

Method 3: Grow Plants and Herbs

The third way to keep rodents away is by growing plants and herbs. Lavender, elderberry, daffodils, and mint are great options.

Plant them around your home, especially near doors and other places where rats might enter, or keep them in pots indoors.

• Lavender and mint: Plant them around your decks, structures, and yard, or keep them in pots inside your home.
  
  They are known to repel mice and make your home smell nice.
  
  You can also scatter dried lavender and mint around your yard.
  Remember to replace them regularly to keep them working effectively.
  
• Sage and Citronella: Grow these near your home’s entry points to keep rats out.
  
  You can also make a spray by mixing their essential oils with water and spraying it in areas where rats are seen.
  
• Daffodils: Plant them around your garden’s perimeter. They contain chemicals that rodents dislike, making them a natural barrier.
  
  Bay and Oak Leaves: Place these leaves in closets and drawers. They help repel rodents and keep your home smelling fresh.
  
• Other Herbs: Grow oregano, rosemary, and basil around your house and garden. These herbs are solid deterrents for extra stubborn rodents.

Using these plants and herbs is an easy and natural way to keep your home and business rodent-free while making it look and smell better.

Method 4: Use Chili Powder and Cayenne Pepper

The fourth way is to use chili powder or cayenne pepper to keep rats from your place.

These substances work like pepper spray on humans and irritate the rats. Sprinkle them around baseboards and access points to create a barrier.

You can even use them in hard-to-reach places like wall cavities.

If you’ve spotted rat burrows and tunnels, sprinkle freshly ground chili peppers into these areas and along their runways.

Reapply weekly or after heavy rains. Rats will instinctively avoid these areas, as they dislike cleaning the spicy chili powder off themselves!

Method 5: Try Commercial Natural Repellents

There are two commercial natural rat repellent types: sprays, pouches, and ultrasonic devices.

Sprays and Pellets

• Sprays: These sprays use essential oils like peppermint or eucalyptus, which rats hate.
  
  You can buy them in stores or online. Examples are Mighty Mint rodent repellent and Grandpa Gus mouse repellent.
  
• Pouches: Pouches are a no-mess option instead of sprays. They contain natural ingredients like mint or balsam oil.
  
  You place them around your garden or home to keep rats away. Common brands include Fresh Cab rodent repellent and Bugmd Vamoose.

Ultrasonic Devices

• Ultrasonic Rodent Repellers: These devices make high-pitched sounds that humans and pets can’t hear, but they bother rats. However, rats can get used to the sound, so these devices might only work sometimes.

Method 6: Choose Our Pest0 Shieldo

Our Shieldo natural rat repellent covers 80 square feet, ten times more than Fresh Cab or BugMD Vamoose.

Our repellent comes in pallets so that you can use it indoors or outdoors in any weather.

It lasts over 30 days and is easier to use than mixing essential oils or planting herbs.

Unlike ultrasonic repellers, it doesn’t lose effectiveness over time. It’s also more humane than mouse traps.

Just place it and forget it—no mess. Plus, it’s safe for families and pets and has a refreshing scent.

Visit our product page here and try it now for a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Final Thoughts

You can keep your property safe from rats or mice without chemicals or traps:

1. Block entry points with caulk or steel wool.
2. Use essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus
3. Plant lavender and daffodils.
4. Sprinkle chili powder or cayenne pepper to create a barrier.
5. Try commercial repellents like sprays, pouches, or ultrasonic devices.
6. Use our Pest0 Shieldo natural rodent repellent for an easy, safe, and long-lasting solution.

These 6 strategies will keep rats away and maintain a healthy environment!

Natural Rat Repellent Strategies FAQs