Home Pest Control That Doesn’t Require Killing
Most kitchens have the ingredients in their cupboards for environmentally friendly, safe pest control that does not put children, or pets at risk. They don’t even put the rats at risk but will definitely cause them to leave on their own. Rodents don’t like certain smells or heavy herbal scents and will avoid areas where they are present. Once their way in has been located, treat those areas and not only do you get rid of rodents already living with you, new rats looking for a home will pass you by. Following are a few homemade “recipes” by rat removal companies for controlling rodent populations that actually work.
Vinegar and water – The smell of vinegar is highly offensive to rats or mice. Make a solution of one part vinegar and one part water, then soak as many cotton balls as you need to get rid of your unwanted rodent guests. Soaked cotton balls can go anywhere the rats do. Stuff them in the corners of cupboards, under the stove, behind the fridge and most especially areas where they have been getting in. Keep the cotton wet, and this will get rid of rodents, but it won’t kill them.
Cat hair works beautifully as a means of getting rid of rats or mice in a humane way. Unless you are allergic to feline fur, this will help keep any area you put it in rodent free. If you don’t have access to cat hair, you might try a pet groomer to see if they have any to spare or would be willing to help you locate some.
Peppermint is another smell mice or rats don’t tolerate well. There is no research that shows why rodents can’t stand the smell, but the proof is in the fact that they will not linger in an area that has been treated with mint leaves or oil. All you need to do is place a cotton ball soaked in mint oil anywhere you suspect rodents travel and it won’t be long until they have moved on.
Bay leaves work about the same way as mint oil even though their odor isn’t as aromatic. Most of us humans find the smell of mint to be pleasant but for those that don’t, bay leaves serve the same purpose. They can be found in most supermarket spice sections or bought in bulk at health food stores. Crumble them up and sprinkle them around areas where mice are known to be and soon, it’s problem solved.
Mothballs aren’t just for moths anymore. Recommended treatment when they are used for rodent control requires a little drilling but a few small holes are worth it to get rid of rats and mice. When the rodent trail points to the inside of walls, drilling a few small holes and shoving mothballs inside will make the space uninhabitable for them.
There is one more recipe for homemade, humane pest control that didn’t make the list because quite a few humans find the odor just as offensive as the rats and mice do. PETA’s recipe of salad oil, horseradish, garlic and lots of cayenne pepper is quite strong but if this is the method you choose at least you know the rats and mice aren’t going to like it either. Mix all ingredients well, let it sit for several days, and then strain it. Once you have it in a spray bottle this highly aromatic remedy will do wonders for rodent control if you can stand the smell yourself. If the situation becomes out of your control then you’d definitely need to hire the best wildlife removal company.