How to Control Rodents Naturally

Prevent rodents from invading your home.

A rodent infestation can result in significant damage to your home and property. Rodents also are a health hazard, often being hosts to a number of parasites that can potentially transfer to humans and family pets. However, it is possible to control and potentially eliminate a rodent population with a bit of tact and a few household items. Controlling the rodent population helps curb a potential rat invasion.

Things You'll Need

• Containers
• Garbage can
• Steel wool
• Nail
• Hammer
• Wooden plank
• Screw
• Motorized drill
• Can of spray foam
• Cotton balls
• Liquid peppermint extract
• Can
• Ammonia
• Cat
• Dog

Instructions

1. Remove food and water supplies. Rodents are natural scavengers that will gladly munch on food that is left out. Store food in thick containers to ward off chewing. Replace your open garbage can with one that has a heavy, secure lid. If you leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight, the rodents will eat bits and pieces of food left on plates and eating utensils. Cut off this potential food source by cleaning all dirty dishes in the sink if leaving the kitchen unattended for more than a few hours.

2. Close off entry points in and around plumbing and duct work. Close off openings with steel wool. Steel wool is particularly tough for the rodents to chew through. Fix a piece of steel wool into the opening by hammering it into place with a nail and hammer. Hammer a nail into each corner. Fix a wooden plank on top of the steel wool, securing it by drilling a screw into each corner with a motorized drill. Seal duct openings with spray foam. The foam will expand and harden, warding off rodents from entering your home. You also can cover small openings from incoming pipework on the outside of the home with the spray foam.

3. Place cotton balls doused in liquid peppermint extract in inconspicuous corners in rooms with increased rodent activity. Rodents tend to not like the potent taste and smell of peppermint.

4. Control rat population inside of your home by repelling outside rats from entering the home in the first place. Place an open can of ammonia in inconspicuous areas in your front or back yard. The smell of the ammonia will repel rodents from your property and household.

5. Obtain a pet cat or dog, if permissible. The University of Florida recommends obtaining a cat to control rodent population. Rodents will be repelled by your cat's scent. Dogs can help scare off rodents as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to identify rodent infestations to help assess and choose a possible mode of attack. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, droppings around food containers, nesting material in localized areas and stale smells are hallmarks of a possible rat infestation. If you are not able to control the rodent population in your household, or if the problem worsens, then seek professional help.

References

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Controlling Rodents
• Sage Bug: Natural Rat Control Tips
• Do-It-Yourself Pest Control: Rat Control
• University of Florida: Non-Chemical Rodent Control