6 Clever Ways to Get Rid of Rats Without Killing Them

A lot of people would prefer not to kill rats, even if they are causing trouble in your home. But don’t worry – there are ways to get rid of rats without killing them.

If you follow these methods, you can make your home rat-free in the most humane way possible.

1. Use traps that capture the rats alive

Snapping and poisoning traps are some of the most common traps that kill rats, but they may not be your cup of tea.

One alternative is to use capturing traps. These traps are those that bait rats with appetizing food, such as cookie crumbs and peanut butter. The baits lead to enclosures that prevent rats from escaping.

Place these traps on spots that seem to have rodent activity, such as those areas with their droppings. Once you caught the rats, release them somewhere far from your home. If you release them too near your home, there is a chance that they might return.

Take note that using such traps only work if you have one or a few rats in your home. They may not work if you have a full blown infestation.

2. Use devices that emit high frequency sound waves

Certain animals can’t stand high frequency sound waves, and rats are among these animals. Blast your home with high frequency sound waves these pests can’t tolerate.

Remember that one of the reasons rats stay in your home is comfort. If you take away their comfort, they may choose to leave.

There are devices available out there that emit high frequency sound waves specifically to get rid of pests such as rats. The good news is that humans are generally not affected by the sound waves.

But be careful in choosing the right devices. Make sure you are using high quality ones. Some low quality devices affect humans too, and this can be very uncomfortable.

3. Spread scents that rats absolutely hate

As said earlier, rats will leave your home if they find it uncomfortable. Another way to make your home uncomfortable for these pests is to spread scents they don’t like.

Rats cannot tolerate the smell of garlic and spices, so you can use these scents to your advantage. For example, you can place peppermint oil over the areas that show signs of rodent activity. Apply a few drops of the oil to cotton balls and place them in the affected areas. You can even create a spray with the oil — just mix the peppermint oil with water and use it in a spray bottle to spray around entrances to rats’ nests or other areas. Onions are another pungent deterrent to rats!

The good thing about using such scents is that it is all-natural. You are sure that these smells will not harm you or anyone else in your home. You are also sure to get rid of rats without killing them. They will leave on their own free will if the scents are too overpowering for their sensitive sense of smell.

You can also try essential oils that have very strong scents, even if these scents don’t involve spices. Pour the essential oils on cotton balls. Then place the cotton balls on areas that show signs of rodent activity.

4. Close all possible passageways

Rats get in and around your home through small crevices and holes. These passageways can come from infrastructure damage in your home or natural gaps in the construction, such as the gaps in the piping and wiring.

Make sure to close up these passageways using the appropriate sealants. By closing up their passageways, you are limiting the opportunities rats have to invading and getting around your home.

Also be mindful of open doors and windows. Give particular attention to doors near trash bins and windows near tree branches.

Rats are attracted to trash bins because they see them as a food and water source. They are attracted to tree branches near windows because they can climb trees and get into your home if tree branches are too close to the windows.

5. Make food and water inaccessible

Rats need sustenance. They need food and water to survive. The availability of these resources is one of the most common reasons why a home suffers from a rat infestation.

Make your home uninteresting for these pests by making food and water inaccessible. Store all kinds of food, including those for your pets. Put everything in refrigerators, airtight containers, and kitchen cabinets. Also consider using containers rats can’t chew through easily, such as those made of metal.

Also look into possible sources of water, such as water buckets left in the bathroom and sink and pipe leaks.

As much as possible, always clean up too. You don’t want rats to be able to feed off of crumbs on and under the table and leftovers on the sink.

6. Maintain your garden, lawn, and yard

You don’t just try to get rid of rats inside your home. You should also try to prevent them from getting near your general area. The closer they are to you, the higher the possibility that they will invade your home and cause trouble. It’s best to keep them as far away as possible.

Maintain your garden, lawn, and yard. These areas can be attractive to rats in a number of ways.

Grasses, bushes, and other greens are perfect spots for them to hide until they find an opportunity to get inside your home. Craters in the soil may accumulate water and provide sustenance for them. Fruits and vegetables in your garden look attractive too, as well as pet foods you often leave on the yard.

Get rid of rats without killing them using these tips

There are a number of reasons why you should choose to get rid of rats without killing them. It’s the humane thing to do. You are also not putting yourself and your family in danger with dangerous traps and chemicals.

You can get rid of the rats in your home by using traps that don’t kill, sound waves that irritate them, and scents that drive them away.

You can also make your home inaccessible by closing up all entry points and hiding all food and water sources. You can also maintain your general vicinity to prevent rats from ever getting near you. This way, you don’t have to kill the rats, because they won’t be invading your home any time soon.