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Piles of small rat droppings, scratching noises in the walls, tiny footprints on a dusty shelf, and holes chewed through food containers are all telltale signs that rats may have taken up residence in a home. Not just nasty and annoying, rats can carry and spread disease. While poisons may be an effective means for offing these pernicious pests, lethal solutions aren’t always feasible for households with pets and children. Rat repellents offer a solution that’s safer, natural, and more humane.
Pellets, packets, and sprayers drive rats away by emitting strong odors that they can’t tolerate yet don’t typically bother people. Ultrasonic repellents emit sound waves that humans and pets can’t hear but cause rats auditory distress.
This guide will outline the advantages and disadvantages of these nonlethal rodent control remedies and recommend the best rat repellent products for any property.
- BEST OVERALL: Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Victor M756K PestChaser Rodent Repellent
- BEST ULTRASONIC: Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Indoor Repellent
- BEST SPRAY: Natural Armor Peppermint All-Natural Rodent Shield
- BEST FOR CAR: Loraffe Under Hood Rodent Ultrasonic Rat Repellent
- BEST FOR INDOORS: Daliyrepal Rodent Repellent Balls
- BEST FOR OUTDOORS: Anewnice Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent
How We Chose the Best Rat Repellents
We researched the most sought-after rat repellents in their respective categories and discovered that the best options are determined by their type, coverage area, longevity, ease of use, and other special features included by top brands.
After extensive product research, we included options in our list of top picks that were made with all-natural or nonlethal materials to deter rats humanely. Our top picks are either scent-based or ultrasonic and cover indoor and outdoor spaces of 8 square feet to up to 4,000 square feet to meet different user needs. As for effectiveness, some of our selections may be capable of deterring pests for as long as 5 years. When it comes to choosing an effective and eco-friendly product, Bill Swank, the founder of PestSource, an online resource for pest control strategies based in Westfield, New Jersey, says, “For eco-friendly rat repellents, select options with proven natural deterrents like peppermint oil, avoiding high essential oil concentrations harmful to pets and wildlife.” He does say that “skepticism towards ultrasonic devices is warranted,” noting that “their effectiveness remains scientifically unconfirmed.”
We were sure to select options that were easy to use; in most cases, this meant either a single application or a single plug-in unit. Plus, select options come with LED strobe lights, multiple sound settings, or built-in sprayers for added convenience and effectiveness against rat infestations.
Our Top Picks
Below are our choices for the best rat repellent products in packet, pellet, spray, and ultrasonic forms. While these products may employ different means, they will all help drive rodents from a property.
Best Overall
Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent
Pros
- Balsam fir essential oil deters rodents while serving as a natural air freshener for the home
- All-natural ingredients; suitable for homes with children and pets
- Each pouch can help relieve a rat infestation in an area up to 8 square feet; suitable as a repellent for 125 square feet
Cons
- Only effective for about a month; needs to be replaced more frequently than comparable options
Product Specs
- Type: Scent-based
- Coverage area: 8 square feet per pouch
- Longevity: 30 days
- Ease of use: Easy
Many rat repellents don’t just keep rats away; they’re also offensive to humans (mothballs, for instance). This botanical isn’t just an effective rodent repellent; it also functions as an air freshener. Fresh Cab Botanical Rodent Repellent’s main ingredient is balsam fir oil, which is an appealing scent to humans but encourages rodents to steer clear of a homestead. This is an all-natural rat repellent and is thus safe for use inside the home and easy on the environment.
Fresh Cab is super easy to use: Simply place a pouch or two in every room (one pouch treats about 8 square feet) to create an effective rat-repelling barrier. Although Fresh Cab is one of the more effective means of keeping a home rodent-free, it’s also one of the pricier options because it may take 20 pouches or more to protect larger homes. Fresh Cab comes in packs of four and 24 pouches.
Get the Fresh Cab rat repellent at Amazon, Tractor Supply Co., or Walmart.
Best Bang For The Buck
Victor M756K PestChaser Rodent Repellent
Pros
- Comes with 6 units; can prevent rat infestations throughout an entire house
- Lasts for 3 to 5 years without replacement; just leave it and forget it
- Inaudible to humans; will not cause any noise pollution in a home
- Low-profile and unobtrusive; each device only requires a single electrical outlet
Cons
- No specific square footage is listed for the total coverage area
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Coverage area: Average-size rooms
- Longevity: 3 to 5 years
- Ease of use: Easy
Ultrasonic sounds cannot pass through walls, which is why outfitting an entire home with plug-in ultrasonic devices for each room can get pricey. Victor’s set of six ultrasonic PestChasers offers terrific value for the money: There are enough gadgets here to outfit an average-size home, and they each have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. This set offers very good value because it costs about the same as a single ultrasonic device from another manufacturer.
When plugged into a standard electrical outlet, each unit emits a high-frequency noise that is powerful enough to deter rats from an average-size room. The sound is inaudible to humans but irks rodents. The units are low profile, measuring less than 2 inches squared, and emit a soft blue glow—they’re essentially a rat repellent and night-light in one compact device.
Get the Victor rat repellent at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Ultrasonic
Neatmaster Ultrasonic Pest Repeller Indoor Repellent
Pros
- Plugs into a standard wall outlet; low profile means it won’t take up a lot of space
- Comes with 3 integrated sound features: green (light), blue (medium), and red (heavy)
- Simply set and forget; requires little to no maintenance for treating pest problems
Cons
- The red setting is audible to humans as well as pets; may not be suitable for some homes
- Ultrasonic waves do not pass through walls; multiple units may be required for different rooms
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Coverage area: 800 to 1,200 square feet
- Longevity: Unlisted
- Ease of use: Easy
For those who don’t want scented repellents and don’t mind spending a little more to solve their rat problems, this ultrasonic pest repeller from Neatmaster is an excellent option. It measures less than 5 inches tall and about 3 inches wide and plugs into a standard wall outlet to deter any rat problem.
One of this unit’s main advantages is that it can be set to one of three ultrasonic sound frequencies. The green and blue settings are for minor to moderate rat problems. At these levels, the Neatmaster emits sounds that are inaudible to humans. The red setting is for severe rat infestations, and the sound emitted is audible to humans and pets. Colored LED lights indicate which setting is activated. Remember that ultrasonic waves do not pass through walls, so users will need a Neatmaster device for every affected room.
Get the Neatmaster rat repellent at Amazon.
Best Spray
Natural Armor Peppermint All-Natural Rodent Shield
Pros
- Peppermint oil is an all-natural rat repellent; suitable for homes with children and pets
- Can be applied indoors or outdoors for added protection and convenience
- Comes with ample quantity for small- to large-scale rat infestations
- Does not leave any residue or discoloration on wooden surfaces or furnishings
Cons
- Unknown how long the effects of this product last; may need to be frequently reapplied for best results
Product Specs
- Type: Scent-based
- Coverage area: 4,000 square feet
- Longevity: Unlisted
- Ease of use: Easy
The active ingredient of Natural Armor’s spray-on solution is peppermint oil, which drives rodents crazy but leaves a fresh aroma that many people find appealing. Applying the spray to areas where rats and mice enter the home, including doors, windows, vents, pipes, and cracks, will create an effective barrier against rats and other rodents. This product does not contain chemicals, so it’s safe to use around pets and children and isn’t harmful to the environment.
Natural Armor comes in a 128-ounce bottle, which includes a trigger sprayer for application. The 128-ounce container is enough to cover about 4,000 square feet. While this product will not stain woodwork or furnishings, it will leave an oily residue on surfaces.
Get the Natural Armor rat repellent at Amazon.
Best For Car
Loraffe Under Hood Rodent Ultrasonic Rat Repellent
Pros
- Prevents rodents from tampering with a car’s wiring or building a nest
- Dual-pronged strategy integrated; produces both a high-pitched sound and LED strobe lights to deter rodents
- Installs easily; attaches to a 12-volt battery with 2-wire installation
- Automatically shuts off when battery drops below 10.5 volts
Cons
- No longevity or coverage area is listed; may not suit some users’ preferences
- Not compatible with any hybrid electric vehicles
Product Specs
- Type: Ultrasonic
- Coverage area: Unlisted
- Longevity: Unlisted
- Ease of use: Easy
Rats and mice can wreak havoc on an automobile, chewing through wiring or even building a nest inside the vehicle. Loraffe’s device repels rodents by deploying a two-pronged strategy: It emits a high-pitched sound and flashes three LED strobe lights, and rats detest both the noise and the lights.
This repellent installs under the hood of a vehicle and attaches to its 12-volt battery via a simple two-wire installation. The emitter uses minimal battery power but will automatically shut itself off if it senses that the battery’s voltage has dropped below 10.5 volts. Note that this product is not suitable for hybrid electric vehicles.
Get the Loraffe rat repellent at Amazon.
Best For Indoors
Daliyrepal Rodent Repellent Balls
Pros
- Effective against rats in a variety of enclosed spaces, such as homes, vehicles, and storage units
- Safe and eco-friendly; harmless to humans, pets, and plants when used as directed
- Offers good longevity, only needing to be replaced every 30 to 90 days
Cons
- Less effective in open or outdoor areas compared to enclosed spaces
Product Specs
- Type: Granule balls
- Coverage area: 125 square feet
- Longevity: 30 to 90 days
- Ease of use: Easy
These rodent-repelling balls emit a long-lasting peppermint scent that’s pleasant to humans but keeps mice and rats at bay. They’re a safe and eco-friendly solution that is completely harmless to people and pets, making them ideal for homes with children. Simply place the balls at intervals of 125 square feet to offer optimal protection.
Because the granules are enclosed inside the balls, the product is perfect for use indoors as it won’t cause any mess. This also makes them incredibly easy to use, and buyers needn’t worry about household pets eating the contents. Each ball delivers protection for 30 to 90 days, making it a convenient and long-lasting solution.
Get the Daliyrepal rat repellent at Amazon.
Best For Outdoors
Anewnice Peppermint Oil Rodent Repellent
Pros
- Employs powerful peppermint and other essential oils for effective, eco-friendly rodent control
- Remains effective for up to 3 months for long-lasting protection
- All-natural ingredients ensure safety for children, pets, and local wildlife
Cons
- The strong mint aroma may not appeal to everyone
Product Specs
- Type: Granule pouches
- Coverage area: 120 square feet
- Longevity: 3 months
- Ease of use: Easy
These peppermint-oil rodent-repellent pouches are a versatile solution for keeping rats away and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The combination of peppermint, rosemary, corn mint, and sesame oils is unpleasant to mice and rats but is completely safe for people and animals, meaning it won’t negatively impact local wildlife if used outdoors. When used indoors, the product can also act as a natural air freshener, though some people may not love the strong minty scent.
Each purchase comes with 12 pouches, which emit their scent for up to 3 months, so they don’t need to be changed frequently. A single pouch covers an area of 120 square feet.
Get the Anewnice rat repellent at Amazon.
Or DIY Your Own Rat Repellent
Budget-conscious folks can easily make their own rat repellent rather than shell out for a commercial product. While we understand the important convenience commercial products offer, DIY is basic to our ethos here at Bob Vila, so we’re happy to provide this low-waste tried-and-true alternative rat repellent consisting of ammonia and vinegar—inexpensive ingredients likely already on hand in typical households. Simply fill a household spray bottle with 1 cup of ammonia and 1 cup of vinegar and spray generously on cracks, walls, floors, and other areas where rats and other pests can enter the home. Though the scent can be overpowering in small spaces, this is an effective way of deterring rats from entering a home.
Jump to Our Top Picks
Our Verdict
There are other common rat repellent options including Just One Bite II Rodent Rat Bait Cake Blocks, Neogen Ramik Weather-Resistant Bait Nuggets, and Victor Fast-Kill Brand Refillable Poison Bait Station. However, they do not meet our sustainability guidelines and are not recommended in our top picks due to their lethal deterring methods. Each of these products aims to kill pests rather than deter them, and they use chemicals in the process, which may not be ideal for some users’ preferences.
What to Consider When Choosing a Rat Repellent
Ahead, discover the pros and cons of ultrasonic and scent-based rat repellents and learn about the important considerations—including coverage area and longevity—that shoppers will want to think about before purchasing one of these humane pest solutions. (Catch-and-release rat traps can also serve as a humane way to control rodents.)
Type
There are two types of rat repellents: scent-based and ultrasonic pest repellents. Scent-based products are sold as sprays, pellets, or packets. They work by dispersing a strong smell, usually peppermint or pine, that rats and mice dislike. Liquid sprays are applied to areas where rats enter the home, such as door frames, windows, cracks, and crevices, leaving behind an oily residue. Packets are small pouches of dry ingredients that are ideal for positioning around the exterior or interior of a home.
Pellets are infused with a mix of nonessential oils and other odiferous ingredients. With pellets, users can fine-tune how much of the product is distributed—a sprinkling of pellets in smaller spaces, such as a drawer or cabinet, and larger quantities in a garage or bedroom.
Ultrasonic pest repellents use sound to send rats packing. Their sound waves are inaudible to humans but irritating to rats. Indoor ultrasonic devices are plugged into a standard wall socket and are similar in size to a plug-in air freshener. Ultrasonic waves cannot penetrate walls, so more than one unit may be required to treat an indoor infestation. Purchasing enough of these devices to treat an entire house could be costly depending on the size of the home.
Outdoor ultrasonic repellents are essentially small transmitters that are attached to stakes and powered by a solar cell. Users drive these stakes into the ground just as they would solar walkway lights. These devices typically cover a radius of about 40 feet.
Ingredients
Scent-based repellents use natural ingredients—typically aromatic essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, spearmint, and balsam—to drive off rodents. While the scents from these oils are offensive to rats, many people find them appealing or simply aren’t bothered by them. Indeed, these fragrant oils can double as air fresheners. Packets and pellets use dry forms of these oils, while sprays typically dilute the oil in a liquid formula.
Unlike rat poisons or mothballs, scent-based rat repellents don’t contain harsh chemicals, making them safe for use around humans and pets. They’re also safe for the environment.
Coverage
Both scented and ultrasonic solutions have limited ranges. Scented sprays are only strong enough to cover the immediate area where the spray is released. Pouches are more potent and typically cover up to a 125-square-foot area. Pellets’ coverage ranges vary depending on how many pellets are used. A few pellets may be enough to treat a small closet, while a handful can create enough scent to protect a whole shed.
Most ultrasonic waves can travel up to about 40 feet or until they encounter a structure or other solid object. Using an ultrasonic device to remedy a rat problem inside a home usually requires multiple units because these sound waves cannot pass through walls.
Working Time and Longevity
Rat repellents work fast. Scent disperses quickly into the air, and the irritant drives rats away almost as soon as they encounter it. Ultrasonic repellents begin to work as soon as they’re plugged in and the sound waves carry to where rats are hiding. A household can expect results from rat repellents within days if not hours.
The length of time these rat repellents last varies by product type. Scent repellents eventually wear out but will continue to work after humans can no longer smell them. Expect them to be effective for 4 to 6 weeks or more. Rats have a more developed sense of smell than humans do, which is why strong odors such as mint and pine are so offensive to them.
Though ultrasonic devices may cost more at the outset, they will last much longer because they rely on electricity or solar power to relay an audio tone—there’s no scent to lose potency. Ultrasonic repellents can last for several years before they wear out.
FAQs
Those with lingering questions about how nontoxic repellents can rebuff rodents or folks simply trying to determine if rats have invaded their home will want to read on for concise solutions to these issues.
Numerous warning signs indicate there might be a rat infestation on a property. The most common evidence is rat droppings. A single rat can produce up to 40 droppings per night, so looking for small pieces of scat is one of the best ways to identify a rat problem. There might also be noticeable damage to walls and food containers, which could be signs of rats chewing through walls and packaging to get food or gain access to the home. Other indications include scratching noises in the walls or ceilings and tiny footprints in dusty areas.
Essential oils are some of the best natural rat repellents. Rats have a highly developed sense of smell, which makes strong odors such as pine oil, cinnamon oil, and mint oil offensive to them. Cayenne pepper, cloves, and a mixture of vinegar and ammonia will keep rats away as well.
Ultrasonic sound waves with frequencies above 20 kilohertz cause rats auditory stress, thus warding off the pests.
