Author: Alpha Wildlife
Credentials: NWCOA Certified Wildlife Control Operators
Description: Veteran-owned wildlife removal specialists serving TN, SC, & KY since 2018
Last Updated: May 26, 2026
Quick Answer
Rodent deterrents may help temporarily, but they won’t solve your rodent problem.
If you’ve got rodents in your kitchen, garage, attic, or crawlspace, weird smells (like mothballs, vinegar, peppermint oil, etc.) and ultrasonic sounds are not enough to keep them away. Unfortunately, you may need a professional to remove the critters and seal the area they came from. That’s the only true way to fix rodent issues.
What Are Rodent Deterrents & Do They Work?
I don’t think you’re reading this by mistake.
A blog about the effectiveness of rodent deterrents usually isn’t something someone would choose for “casual reading.”
Well, I’m glad you’re here anyway.
If you’re reading this, I assume you’ve found droppings in your kitchen or chewed items in your pantry, and you believe it’s due to some kind of rodent.
Now, I would ask if you thought it was a rat or a mouse, but let’s be honest… you don’t care, you just want it gone, right?
I’m sure you’ve heard about different tips and tricks on how to keep rodents away.
Let me guess… a combination of peppermint oil with mothballs all wrapped in a dryer sheet will do the trick, right?
Yeah, that’s not really how it works.
Think of rodent deterrents as items used to simply make your home less desirable to rats and mice.
We’ve heard customers use all sorts of different “things” to keep pests away, such as ultrasonic devices, store-bought repellents, and weird funky smells.
Now, rodents are clever and, quite frankly, pretty gross themselves. I mean these guys chew on wood, garbage, and electrical wires. I’m sure they couldn’t care less about your ultrasonic sounds and strange smells.
Rodents are also persistent creatures. If there’s a gap into your home and food is available, they’ll simply adapt to your new “deterrents” and make their way inside anyway.
Here’s the problem with rodent deterrents:
- They don’t seal the actual gap or entry point(s) into your home
- They don’t remove any of the rodents that are already inside
- They don’t repair contaminated insulation or chewed wires
- They don’t prevent future infestations alone
I’m not saying all rodent deterrents are bad. I’m just saying you should set your expectations regarding the results.
It’s like someone going to the gym for the first time. You aren’t going to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger when you leave, but you’re changing your lifestyle to better yourself. Again, set your expectations.
That’s similar to rat & mouse deterrents. They won’t magically make your rodent problems go away, but you are making your home less desirable to them — which means they’ll go elsewhere.
If you need professional rat removal in Memphis TN, our team is ready to help!
What Smells Keep Rats and Mice Away?
Since rats and mice have a strong sense of smell, you’d think that pungent odors might keep them away or at least dissuade them from your home.
Sorry to break it to you, but not really. As you’ll find out later in this blog, rodents can overcome powerful smells as well as high-frequency sounds and continue to wreak havoc inside your home.
Here are the most common smell-based rodent deterrents people use:
- Peppermint oil
- Vinegar
- Mothballs
Spraying peppermint oil inside your home might be great around the holidays to get into the spirit, but it is not a magic way to get rid of a rodent infestation.
If you want to learn more, here are some prevention tips for homeowners looking to get rid of mice and rats.
If you are searching for emergency rodent removal in Nashville TN, schedule an appointment with us today!
Does Peppermint Oil Get Rid of Mice?
Quick answer: If used once the infestation has been resolved and your home professionally sealed, peppermint oil works as a natural prevention for rodents. Otherwise, if you have an active infestation, all you’re doing is making your home smell like Christmas.
Oh, the sweet smell of peppermint oil. This scent is commonly used to deter rodents and other pests due to its powerful aroma.
But does it work?
Yes, but only for prevention after all of the rodents have been removed from your home.
Use 100% peppermint oil to spray near the entry points and other areas where you saw the rats & mice. The smell bothers their noses, and they naturally want to go somewhere else.
Now, if you already have rats in your walls or mice in your kitchen, this stuff won’t do the trick. You’ll need a professional for that.
Speaking of professionals, if you need rodent removal services in Knoxville TN, we’re ready to take your call!
Do Ultrasonic Rodent Repellers Work?
Quick Answer: They are not reliable. Since rodent repellers emit high-frequency sound waves that can be easily absorbed by things around your home (walls, carpet, couches, chairs, etc.), these are pretty much useless for rats, mice, & other rodents.
This deterrent sounds interesting and almost futuristic. A device that emits high-frequency sound waves that don’t bother humans but can be irritating to rodents and other pests.
I mean where’s the ShamWow guy when you need him, right?
Unfortunately, this product doesn’t really do anything special. The sounds can be absorbed by almost anything in your home. So, it’s really just a way to make you feel like you’ve done something to fix your pest problem without actually fixing it.
It’s probably more bothersome to rodents if you just stand there making weird noises yourself. They’ll think you’re crazy and hit up your neighbor’s house instead.
Keep it simple. Toss the ultrasonic repeller and go for the tried-and-true method — professional removal & exclusion services like Alpha Wildlife.
If you’re searching for rat & rodent removal in Chattanooga TN, our team offers same-day scheduling and free inspections!
Do Mouse Traps Solve a Rodent Problem?
Quick answer: You might catch some, but you won’t catch all of them. Rat and mouse traps are effective, but they won’t solve your problem.
I get it. You think there’s mice in your garage and you plan to get them out yourself.
I don’t blame you. In fact, as a homeowner myself, I know that is the first thing I would think of too.
However, while sticky and traditional mouse traps will catch a few of the critters, they won’t catch all of them nor will it prevent more from coming in the future.
I’ve also heard stories of homeowners getting frustrated with snapping traps smacking their fingers and pets wandering onto sticky traps. This is now adding more stress to the situation, and it might not even fix your problem.
So, while I understand the desire to use mouse traps, I know they won’t truly help your situation.
If you try trapping, but the mice keep coming back, there is a good chance your home still has an open entry point, food source, or nesting area.
That’s why Alpha Wildlife offers free rodent inspections and free estimates to our customers. Not only do we find where the pests are coming from, but we design a custom removal plan to get them out and keep them out.
Stop snapping your fingers on mouse traps and give us a call. If you need mouse trapping services in Columbia SC, contact us today!
Do Mothballs Keep Rats and Mice Away?
Quick answer: No. Not only have studies shown that mothballs are a bad deterrent for rodents, but they can possibly cause health issues to humans over time.
Just saying the name mothball probably conjures up memories of where you might have caught your first whiff of this funky odor.
And I understand why some believe these things are great deterrents to keep rats and mice away. I mean if I even think I smell mothballs at someone’s house, I’m out of there.
Since mothballs contain chemicals that turn into gases, you’d think that the smell would overwhelm the senses of mice or rats. However, rodents can quickly acclimate to the smell, and continue on, which is why they are not a reliable deterrent.
In fact, these items can be more harmful to humans than most people know. Did you know, that if you consistently breathe in the gases from mothballs, it can cause headaches, dizziness, and even kidney damage.
Even beyond the safety concerns, mothballs do not solve the root problem. They do not seal holes, remove rodents, or prevent future entry.
To summarize, don’t sprinkle mothballs around your home in hopes of pushing rodents away. All you’ll do is push your friends and neighbors away.
If you’re searching for rodent removal in Charleston SC, book your free inspection with us now!
Will Vinegar Keep Rats and Mice Away?
Quick answer: It can help temporarily, but it is not a permanent solution.
Personally, I despise the smell of vinegar. I mean I’d rather be stuck in a gym locker room on chili night than get even the slightest hint of vinegar.
It seems that rats and mice might feel the same. This deterrent is used by many as a natural repellent for rodents and it sounds like it can help.
However, just like many items on our list today, vinegar will not stop a true rodent infestation. If the entry points, gaps, and open areas are not sealed and the food sources removed, the pests will just keep coming.
Remember the scene in Seinfeld when Elaine held her breath while going through Jerry’s fumigated apartment? Yeah, it’d probably look something like that except for rats and mice.
If you need rat & rodent removal services in Louisville KY, put the vinegar bottle down and call Alpha Wildlife today!
Why Do Rodents Keep Coming Back
If you’ve tried everything from snap traps to peppermint oil and mothballs and the rats are still coming in strong, you’ve got a big problem. Rats and mice will continue to invade areas with gaps and open entry points.
You’ll need to have your home inspected by a professional to find all of the access points and to have them sealed to prevent critters from returning.
Alpha Wildlife provides rat, mouse, and rodent removal & exclusion services across Tennessee, South Carolina, and Kentucky, including:
Final Takeaway
Natural deterrents sound like a cost-effective way to handle your rodent problem. However, before you run out to Lowe’s and buy an 80-gallon drum of vinegar and 1,000 rat traps, know that deterrents are only useful if your home is sealed. Otherwise, you’re just sitting there in a house that smells like peppermint oil with your ultrasonic repellers going off while rats chow down in your attic.
Rodent deterrents and repellents can provide temporary relief, but they are not a reliable solution for infestations. Smells, ultrasonic devices, sprays, and traps may reduce activity in certain situations, but they do not replace professional removal and exclusion services.
If there are rats in your walls or mice in your kitchen, skip the deterrents and call the best in the business. Alpha Wildlife is here to help!
Do Natural Rodent Deterrents Work? – FAQs
Do rodent deterrents actually work?
Some rodent deterrents may temporarily discourage rats or mice from certain areas, but they usually do not solve an active infestation. Long-term rodent control typically requires inspection, removal, exclusion, sanitation, and prevention.
What smell keeps mice away?
Strong smells like peppermint, vinegar, or ammonia may temporarily discourage mice from certain areas, but they are not reliable for removing an active mouse problem inside a home.
Does peppermint oil get rid of mice?
Peppermint oil may bother mice for a short time, but it does not remove nests, seal entry points, clean contamination, or prevent future rodent activity.
Do ultrasonic mouse repellers work?
No. They may cause temporary avoidance in some situations, but that’s all.
Do mouse traps solve a rodent problem?
Mouse traps can help reduce rodent activity, but they do not solve the source of the problem if rodents are still entering through gaps, vents, doors, crawlspaces, or roofline openings.
Why do mice keep coming back?
Mice usually keep coming back because entry points, food sources, nesting areas, or sanitation issues have not been fully addressed.
What is the best way to keep rodents out?
The best way to keep rodents out is to seal entry points, remove attractants, clean contaminated areas, and use a professional rodent control plan when activity is already present.