Install a 12-inch-square piece of aluminum flashing or galvanized metal around conduit pipe to prevent rodents from climbing. Caulk gap around pipe if opening is larger than ¼ inch.
Options include installing metal mesh or wire screens over pipe openings to prevent rats from entering, applying rodent-proof sealant or expanding foam to seal gaps and cracks, and using rat-repellent devices or baits near vulnerable areas.
Smooth surfaces: Rats cannot climb smooth surfaces such as glass, metal, and polished wood. This is because they need something to grip onto with their claws. Vertical surfaces without ledges: Rats cannot climb vertical surfaces that do not have any ledges or other handholds.
Peppermint. Prepare to turn your rat problem into a minty-fresh solution! Rats may have a perceptive sense of smell, but they can't stand the refreshing scent of peppermint. This natural and aromatic repellent works wonders in deterring these unwanted pests.
Despite what movies and media may assert, having a cat or other pet isn't your only line of defense for keeping rats at bay. The biggest and most frightening threat rats face is not being able to access enough food and water to sustain themselves.
Peppermint oil — Essential plant oils like peppermint, rosemary, citronella, sage and lavender have strong botanical scents that rats dislike. One customer successfully repelled a rat by stuffing a peppermint oil soaked tissue into the rat hole chewed into the wall. The rat appeared to never come back.
Rats in London typically dislike walking on certain materials such as glass shards or gravel.
Applying grease or slippery coatings to bird feeder poles can help deter rats from climbing, as it makes the surface difficult to grip. However, this method may need to be reapplied frequently and could be messy. It is best used alongside other deterrents, like baffles, for more effective rat prevention.
Lodi Anti Rodent Spray contains a specially formulated vaporised solution that once sprayed forms a protective film. Simply spray onto the surface of the material to be treated and rodents will no longer chew or bite into the treated area.
Unfortunately, the truth is that sewer rats can and do enter homes through drains. While it is physically possible for mice to enter a home through a drain, they are far more likely to chew a small hole into your house. Relief is available for this problem.
To stop rats from getting into your drains, make sure that you leave no food or attractants in the drains. Make sure all entry points to drains are sealed and consider placing a drain valve on drains to stop rats from entering the home.
However, by providing them an easy to find water source (like a dog bowl) temporarily while trying to exterminate them, this will help you remove their motivation to chew through the pipes to get water. This is especially important if you're using poison to kill the rodents, because poison dehydrates them.
Fitting a rat blocker will prevent rats from invading your home through the drains, but if you already have rats in your house and they're comfortable with a food and water source, then the rat blocker alone will not guarantee they'll leave – it'll just prevent more from getting in through the drains.
Seal any holes you find to stop rodents from entering. Fill small holes with steel wool. Put caulk around the steel wool to keep it in place or use spray foam. Use lath screen or metal, cement, hardware cloth, or metal sheeting to fix larger holes.
Outdoors, rats face a variety of predators. In these environments, large birds of prey — including hawks, falcons and owls — feed regularly on rodents. Owls are particularly formidable predators, as their nocturnal behavior ensures that they are most active when rats go out in search of food.
Rats and mice are nocturnal with most activity taking place between approximately one half hour after sunset to about one half hour before sunrise.
Rodents do not like the sharp scent of vinegar, so it's believed that it can be an effective rodent repellent. Common advice is to soak cotton balls with vinegar and place them near areas where you think rodents are entering your home and to use vinegar as a cleaning solution.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Rats
Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil can repel rats because they hate the smell. Another way to use a rat's sense of smell against them is to plant peppermint and catnip in strategic places. Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans, but it can dry out rats until they die.
Odors and smells that come from pet waste, pet food, garbage containers, barbecue grills, birdfeeders, and even from unharvested fruit and nuts from plants can attract rats and mice.
Mothballs are useful when kept in a closed container with the items you are trying to protect. However, leaving mothballs out in the open to repel rodents is a very bad idea. Mothballs are ineffective as a rodent repellent.