Strong mint-based essential oils like peppermint have plenty of anecdotal evidence for deterring rodents, as it is a smell they find very unpleasant. Leaving cotton balls soaked in peppermint oils near entryways and rat runs should disrupt their routine and discourage them from entering the home.#

 

Other oils with anecdotal evidence of deterrence include Clove essential oil, chili oil, or ammonia-based liquids. With all these solutions they can irritate and harm children and pets, so they should only be used with caution.

 

Oils as a deterrent and is not 100% effective emergency rodent control. Desperate rodents can overcome their dislike of the smell if they sense unsecured food at the other end of the entryway. The smell also fades over time, requiring frequent upkeep to keep it strong enough to deter rodents. Oils are best used in conjunction with a trapping method to eliminate rodents from inside the home.

For generations, farmers have kept mousing cats on their properties to actively hunt and deter rodents. It continues to be one of the most effective, natural long-term methods of pest control for rats and mice. The scent of a cat living in an area also deters most rodents, as they instinctively want to nest and forage in areas away from territory controlled by predators. 

 

When it comes to cat breeds, one bred and raised for hunting is better than one bred for a distinct appearance. A domestic short-haired moggy is often a safe choice. For short-term rodent control, a professional rodent exterminator will achieve results faster than a cat. =

Poisons are recommended to be used as a last resort where other methods have been deployed first, and the rodent population remains out of control. Poisoned bait is also less effective in areas where rats and mice have plenty of food sources to choose from, and can be ineffectual at controlling them in the long term. 

 

Poisoned bait is a sweet-tasting pellet filled with anti-coagulents that can be littered around rat runs and near nesting areas. When enough is eaten, it kills the rodent slowly by causing its blood vessels to rupture. It’s a slow and painful method of exterminating mice and rats, but it does work.

 

Poison comes with many caveats, as it can be digested not only by rodents but other animals attracted to the poison, as well as any predators that eat poisoned rodents. This can cause damage to your local wildlife system, reduce predators that keep rat populations in control, and kill pets if used recklessly. If you have a cat who eats rodents, this solution should never be used.