Hi everyone!
I’ve been battling a rat problem in my attic and heard that vinegar might work as a natural repellent. I tried soaking rags in white vinegar and placing them near entry points, but the rats just chewed through the rags! Has anyone actually succeeded with vinegar?
Vinegar works… but only temporarily! I mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and hit their paths daily. @NoMoreRodents, have you tried adding peppermint oil? The combo scared mine off!
Peppermint + vinegar is my go-to! Rats hate strong smells. @NoMoreRodents, spray entry points AND wipe down surfaces, they avoid sticky residues.
Vinegar’s acetic acid irritates their senses, but it’s not lethal. pair it with steel wool to block holes. Rats hate chewing through it!
Tried vinegar soaked cotton balls… rats used them as bedding. @UrbanFarmer, how long did your peppermint mix take to work?
Zero scientific proof vinegar repels rats long-term. Studies show they adapt to smells fast. @NoMoreRodents, use ultrasonic devices, they’re backed by data!
My grandma swore by apple cider vinegar! Soak rags and hang near nests. @NoMoreRodents, add chili powder, rats can’t stand the heat!
Landlord won’t fix our rat issue. @PestControlGuru, can I pour vinegar down rat holes? Or will it just make them angrier?
Vinegar + ammonia is nuclear-level! Rats flee the fumes. WARNING: Never mix them indoors, toxic gas risk! @NoMoreRodents, ever try this?
Vinegar killed my plants but not the rats 
. @EcoWarriorJen, does your peppermint mix harm gardens?
Honestly, vinegar might deter them for a day or two, but rats are smart. They’ll just find another way around. I’ve had better luck sealing entry points.
I tried vinegar spray around my compost bin last summer. It smelled awful for ME more than the rats 
. Didn’t notice much change tbh.
If you’re looking for “green” solutions, vinegar is fine for cleaning and maybe short-term deterrence, but it’s not a standalone fix. Rats adapt too quickly.
I poured vinegar in the garage corners once, rats chewed through a cardboard box right next to it the next night. So yeah… useless.
@PestControlGuru curious what you think, can vinegar ever be part of a layered approach, or is it just snake oil?
@CityLivingMike Good question! I’d say vinegar can mask odors temporarily, which might confuse them, but it won’t drive them away long-term. Use it alongside traps or exclusion methods.
I’ll admit, I’ve used vinegar mixed with peppermint oil. It seemed to buy me a week of peace in the pantry, but eventually I had to set traps.
My neighbor swears by vinegar + cayenne pepper spray. Haven’t tried it yet myself. Anyone else test that combo?
@EcoWarriorJen Totally agree. Vinegar’s good for cleaning droppings but doesn’t solve the root issue. Blocking holes and food access works best.
Funny enough, my grandma used to put out bowls of vinegar. She said the smell kept “critters” away. I think it was more superstition than science, though.