Hey everyone,
I’ve been dealing with a persistent rat issue in my attic, and while I’ve managed to catch a few, the aftermath isn’t great—mainly the awful smell when one dies somewhere I can’t reach. I’ve tried snap traps, poison, and even ultrasonic repellents, but nothing seems to give me a lasting solution without the odor problem.
Hey @RatReliefPro, I totally get this! I used to deal with the same issue in my basement. What finally worked for me was switching from poison to live traps. I caught them and released them far away, then sealed every crack with steel wool and foam. No smell, no return.
If you’re still smelling dead rats, that’s a sign they’re dying inside the walls. Avoid poison altogether. Instead, use snap traps or electronic traps that kill instantly and let you remove the body right away. Plus, poison can make them crawl into ducts or insulation before dying, worst smell ever.
+1 to avoiding poison. I’ve had way better luck using bait stations with electronic traps. They’re quick, clean, and reusable. I also spread peppermint oil and dryer sheets in hard-to-reach areas. Can’t say it’s 100% proven, but my place has stayed rat-free for a year.
I’m all about non-toxic methods. If you’ve got kids or pets, skip poisons. I use ultrasonic repellents and steel mesh on entry holes. Also, clean food crumbs and garbage daily, it makes a bigger difference than you’d think.
Electronic traps are amazing, especially the newer WiFi-enabled ones that alert you when something’s caught. Way cleaner than checking traps every day. If you combine those with sealing gaps and trimming vegetation outside, you’ll see long-term results.
I used to live next to a field, so rats were a constant battle. What worked for me: a mix of motion-activated lights, mint plants, and keeping pet food sealed. I haven’t seen one in months, and my house finally smells normal again.
The “smell of death” often comes from unreachable crawl spaces. If that happens, activated charcoal bags or ozone generators can help absorb the odor faster. But the real trick is prevention, inspect your foundation and vents thoroughly.
If you’re looking for a one-time solution, hire a pest pro to inspect with a thermal camera. They’ll find hidden nests and entry points you’d never notice. I did that once, and it was worth every penny.
Just chiming in to say that even a tiny dead rodent can stink up an entire house. If you ever smell something and can’t locate it, check under insulation or behind drywall corners near pipes, that’s where mine was. I switched to electronic traps after that experience. Never again.
Totally agree with everyone saying prevention is key. I run an air purifier year-round now, and it helps keep the air fresh even during pest control season. Traps, sealant, and cleanliness, it’s a combo thing.