How to keep rats away from your home: 5 proven tips that always work

| TOI Lifestyle Desk | etimes.in | Jun 18, 2025, 10:44 IST

Rats in the house pose health risks and property damage. Prevent ... Read More

Whether you live in an apartment or a bungalow, rats in the house is a difficult situation to deal with. They can chew through wires and eating food which makes them a menace. However, rats are not just an annoyance but a health hazard too as they can also cause dangerous diseases like leptospirosis and hantavirus, and contaminate food. That’s why prevention is always better than cure. Keeping rats away from home doesn't always require harsh chemicals or expensive pest control services. Instead, they can be dealt with a few simple yet smart strategies and consistent habits. From sealing entry points to using natural repellents, these simple but effective tips can help you rat-proof your home for good. Here we list some such easy yet effective tips:

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1. Seal all entry points for the rodents

Due to their tiny size, rats can squeeze through holes as small as a coin. To prevent them from entering your house the easiest way is to inspect your home’s exterior for cracks, holes, or gaps— especially around doors, windows, pipes, and vents-- and sealing them. Use steel wool or metal mesh along with caulk to block these spaces. Pay extra attention to the kitchen, bathroom, and basement areas as rats often enter the house from these spaces. Remember, even a tiny gap is enough for a rat to wiggle through into your house and cause a menace. So, repair any broken window screens, install door sweeps, and ensure that your garage door closes completely to prevent rats from entering your home and prevent infestations before they start.

2. Remove any food sources for the rats

Rats usually enter homes in search of food. So, removing any food source for them is the easiest way of stopping rats from entering your home. Make your home less appealing by storing all food— including pet food— in airtight containers. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight and make sure your garbage bin is tightly sealed. Make it a habit to clean up any crumbs and spills immediately and sweep or vacuum the kitchen twice daily-- once during the day and later before sleeping at night. Avoid leaving fruits, snacks, or leftovers on countertops. Also, if you have bird feeders in your balcony or garden, consider keeping them away from your house as they could also invite rats as unwanted guests. Remember, the cleaner your home is, the more unappealing it would be for rats.

3. Declutter and clean regularly

As explained about, rats love trash-- whether it is for eating or for hiding. Cluttered, quiet corners like piles of newspapers, cardboard boxes, and unused clothes make perfect nesting spots for rats for hiding and for producing babies. So, to prevent rats infestation in you home, clean your storage areas, garage, attic, and under the sink regularly. Organise things in sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes, which rats can chew through. Vacuum or clean floors and behind furniture where food crumbs or debris might accumulate as these can invite rats. Keeping your home clean and clutter-free makes it difficult for rats to find hiding spots or build nests, reducing their chances of settling in.

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4. Use natural repellents

Certain smells like that of peppermint oil, ammonia, garlic, and cayenne pepper are known to naturally repel rats. So, soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them near entry points, under the sink, or in corners where rats may hide. This will help keeping rats away from your home. You can also spray a mix of water and peppermint oil in rat-prone areas. Similarly, you can keep crushed garlic or cayenne pepper at the entry points of your home-- like windows and doors-- to prevent rats from entering your home. Repeat this every few days for continued effectiveness. These natural remedies are safe for pets and children and create a strong scent barrier that rats dislike. But remember, these natural repellents work as a preventative instead of a standalone solution for a major rat infestation at home.

5. Keep your balcony and garden tidy

It is often noticed that rats get easy shelter in balconies and gardens that are often neglected and dumped with unwanted items. An overgrown garden can be welcoming for rats. Tall grass, wood piles, compost bins, and dense shrubs create perfect hiding and breeding spots for them. So, to prevent this, keep your lawn trimmed and clear any fallen fruits, garbage, or birdseed. If you have a compost pit or bin in your garden or balcony, then ensure that it is sealed and elevated. If you grow vegetables, install proper fencing to keep rodents out. Also, check that outdoor drains and vents are covered with mesh. A tidy, well-maintained garden and balcony not only looks beautiful but also discourages rats from getting entering near your home.

9 tips to keep pigeons away from your balconies and windows this summer

Pigeons are often called ‘flying monsters’ by some people because, while they may seem harmless, when they start sitting on your balcony or windows, they can create a mess. And if you are going through something similar, here are 9 tips that will help.

No one wishes to harm a bird, and these spikes surely won’t. Get some plastic spikes from a nearby store or buy it online, and stick them where you usually see pigeons. These spikes just poke them a little, making them fly away.

If the pigeons have made your AC vents or balcony railings home, try to keep some aluminium foil over that surface. As the sunlight shines on it, they create flashes that keep pigeons away.

If the balcony is where the pigeons bother you most, hang a wind chime around. Many people have observed that pigeons fly away when they hear loud noises, and when the wind makes the wind chimes clash and make sounds, the pigeons will feel bothered.

Often, pigeons tend to sit where they find traces of other pigeons. So keep the area squeaky clean, clean off the feathers, droppings, or food, and hush them away.

A rather easy thing to do when pigeons bother you from the windows or balcony is to install a mesh or a net in that area. The pigeons won’t be able to enter your space or dirty it, and half the problem will be solved.

Another easy way out is to spray a mixture of water with a few drops of peppermint oil, chili powder, or vinegar around the balcony or on window sills. The strong smell will keep pigeons and insects away too.

Usually, pigeons start raiding your home when you feed them or leave food out that they can easily access. If they are starting to become a menace in the balcony, keep them away by not giving them breadcrumbs.

Pigeons do not have a very strong grip and will slip from slopes. So on the windowsills or the balcony shed, keep something that has a slope to prevent them from sitting near your home.