Why There Is a Rat Epidemic in Los Angeles

Rodents tend to be fascinating living organisms. This is because they can laugh, swim and they have incisors that are constantly growing. However, you would not want to come across one in your home or out and about just because they are said to be interesting. Getting rid of rodents is a demanding job under the best of times. You will require a significant amount of energy to trap or kill a rodent. It can cause a huge mess, or even worse, it can be a possible danger for pets and children.

If you do not want to learn how to get rid of rodents naturally, it will be better to learn how to avoid rodents at home. It is that simple. However, you can use some other options to get rid of rodents if you prefer to take a common effect approach. These methods require little effort and tend to be a small investment which is a bonus. Some people prefer to be civilized by not killing rodents with traps that tend to cause violent death. If you prefer this approach, try using smells to repel them.

Keep in mind that while mice and rats are usually classified together, they are very different. This will also apply to ways to keep them away. For instance, while you could use a house dog or cat to scare away mice, they are not reliable when getting rid of rats. Rats tend to be more aggressive and could even cause harm to your pet. Consider other methods to get rid of rats instead.

Rats have a powerful sense of smell. This makes sense since they rely on the smell to look for food and communicate with other rats.  Keeping this in mind, it might look like odors could be an effective method to stop rats. Even so, there are reasons which make depending on odors to stop rat infestation unrealistic. Continue reading to know which two scents that rats allegedly dislike and the reason why it may not be wise to rely on them for getting rid of rat infestation.

Rodents are susceptible to certain smells due to their highly developed sense of smell. Beaver oil, citronella oil, and cotton balls soaked with peppermint oil could make them move outside the house or less smelly environments within the property. Sometimes, using onions and crushed red pepper can do the trick. However, the rats can dodge this smell. You may get a particular temptation to get rid of these pests naturally to avoid causing harm to the other animals in your home. However, this can be dangerous if not handled correctly. These squeaky, tiny creatures can harm your health as they can cause contamination to food and other items in the house. Smells are believed to repel rodents include: 

• Ammonia

Many people believe that ammonia is one of the scents that stops mice. This could be from the unpleasant smell it emits into the air. Researchers from Iowa state set out to learn the effect of ammonia on mice. They discovered that the mice neither deflected nor liked the ammonia. This means that it did not affect mice activity. High doses also showed very little impact. It is not recommended that you use ammonia, especially if highly concentrated. Ammonia can lead to extreme side effects since it’s a compressed gas. This can include eye burns, inflamed airways, eye damage, or, much worse, death. Contact a wildlife professional to chase away mice in your home to be on the safe side.

• Chili Oil or Powder

Chilli oil is a well-known ingredient. It is commonly known for irritation when either inhaled or ingested. People believe that these irritating effects can be adequate to help chase away mice if inhaled. Researchers from Chulalongkorn University did tests on the effects of natural fragrances on mice. This study discovered that chili did stop the mice from going back to the lure. However, researchers said that this might not be practical in a real-world situation. Performing experiments in a controlled environment tend to favor the results. Hence, chili oil might not be a reliable solution to help deal with mice in your home.

• Peppermint oil

The Peppermint oil method is also a widely discussed method to eliminate both rats and mice. It’s understandable why: it is non-toxic, natural, and doesn’t emit an offensive smell to humans. However, it has a disadvantage which is that its actual impact varies. While this method doesn’t hurt, experts debate whether it’s effective, as there isn’t adequate scientific proof to support this method fully.

• Mothballs

Mothballs have a significant, pungent smell, but there is not adequate proof that shows they can be used effectively to stop rodents. The National Pesticide Information Center categorically advises against using mothballs as a DIY method. Some rodents will find the smell of mothballs unpleasant, but it is not guaranteed they will stay away for good. Instead, they depend on ineffective or potentially dangerous methods of rat repellent. It will be best to call in a professional like Terminix to help get rid of these rodents.

Compounds unpleasant to rodents do indeed exist. And, considering their powerful sense of smell, it would seem ideal to have an olfactory way to get rid of rodents. Unfortunately, no method has been proven to work just yet. Hence, the best way to deal with a rodent problem is always to hire a professional. This gives you a chance to get rid of the pests while staying protected from any harm you can cause while trying to do it yourself.

Controlling rodents can be a very challenging process. As much as there are many other rodent control methods, opting for repellent odors can be fruitful. They are not dramatic and will deliver excellent results. Furthermore, unlike other rodent control methods, repellent smells are pet-friendly. This means they won’t harm your beloved pet! Rodent Stop has the solution to a rodent infestation in your home. You don’t need to use the old methods to get rid of rodents in your home. Give them a call and they will advise you accordingly on new ways to deal with rodents such as the various ways that have been discussed above.