If one is wondering, does peppermint oil repel rats? As a homeowner, it is of extreme precedence to keep the house free of rodents and pests. Rats are notorious for damaging house property, food, and carrying on diseases.

Indeed, there are different methods of deterring rats; amongst them, one of the most discussed is peppermint oil. Now, we have to go in-depth with the subject. For that matter, we will discuss if peppermint oil really is an effective repellent to rats. Continue reading as we answer all the questions you need to help you decide what’s best for your home.

Does Peppermint Oil Repel Rats?

The peppermint essential oil is extracted from the leaves of a popular plant called peppermint. The distinctive smell derived from peppermint leaves is believed to be really detestable for rats and other rodents; hence, peppermint oil may be very effective as a natural repellent against them. But does this magic of peppermint work like some age-old remedy, or is it just a myth? Let us dive deeper into this interesting world of peppermint oil and its potential as a rodent repellent.

The fact is, in rat control, peppermint oil is merely a temporary solution and one which one should not rely on. Although rats may be deterred by the smell of peppermint oil initially, soon they get used to it and start flocking to their previous sites. Hence, for an effective and permanent approach towards rat control, one should opt for options other than peppermint oil. Another vastly held myth about peppermint oil is that the oil magically kills rats. That, however, is far from the truth. Even though it may be true that peppermint oil possesses some degree of toxicity, it should be incapable of killing these rather hearty rodents. As a matter of fact, even if a rat were to consume peppermint oil, it would rather do harm than produce fatal repercussions. These set of myths are what must be debunked while opting for effective and humane modes of pest control.

That does not mean that peppermint oil cannot be helpful in rat control.

This can be applied in the short run to help drive rats away from your home as you seek a better and more efficient long-term solution. For example, peppermint oil can be used to soak cotton balls that one can hang around places that rats frequent, such as crawlspaces and attics.

This will disorient the rats because of the strong, pungent scent of peppermint, compelling them to seek other habitats different from your immediate living environment.

However, it needs to be placed in perspective that even though peppermint oil might be useful in repelling them, under no circumstance can it remain the only way of ensuring that this pestilence is completely avoided. For obvious reasons, they are so persistent and resourceful that it would need to be a multi-faceted approach. Besides using peppermint oil, other proactive measures include making your home less appealing in the first place.

This includes cleaning up the house, eliminating all possible sources of food, caulking any place that could provide access to your premises, and keeping the food in sealed containers. You can prevent rat infestation to a much greater extent through these means and ensure that you do not have pesky pests around you or your family.

It has also been reported to have some repelling effects on rats, although one should try to explain that it is not long-term. Application for a certain period can be adopted as immediate intervention, trying to prevent rats from your house. One must understand that there are other means of solving the problem in the most appropriate and effective way. Trying it in a multi-faceted way is the best way of dealing with the situation.

This includes caulking entry points and cleaning up your house. These added measures, in addition to peppermint oil, can help you develop an all-rounded and more effective strategy in your war against rat infestation.

Overview, Tips & Tricks

A few sources indicate the application of peppermint oil as a repellent against rats. Researchers have proved that rats are confused by the smell of peppermint oil; this thus makes them behave in the avoidance of such smells. It is based on the menthol chemical in peppermint oil, which evaporates and usually irritates the noses and lungs of rats.

However, peppermint oil is not certain in repelling rats. Some might have a higher level of tolerance to the smell, and others might be attracted to the smell. Peppermint oil application will also frequently need to be reapplied for it to provide much effect.

If you are considering using peppermint oil to repel rats, here are a few tips:

Apply peppermint oil to areas where you have seen rat activity.

You can apply this directly to surfaces, or you can make a peppermint oil spray by mixing peppermint oil with water. The smell will vanish in some time, so reapply peppermint oil often. You can reapply every couple of days or so.

Combine peppermint oil with other rat repellents

For example, ultrasonic devices or rat traps will enable you to have a more holistic approach to pest control. It is also important to remember that peppermint oil is not for use on your skin or in areas of the environment where children or pets might have contact. Peppermint oil can be irritating to skin and eyes and harmful if ingested. If you have a serious rat infestation, then this should be left to a professional company in pest control. They would better assess and provide recommendations on most effective options for treatment.