Hey everyone!
I’ve been in pest control for 15+ years, and I’m stunned by how much misinformation exists about rat control. Last month, a client sealed every hole in their attic with steel wool—only to find rats CHEWING THROUGH IT days later! Turns out they’d fallen for the myth that rodents can’t bypass physical barriers.
This inspired me to debunk common misconceptions. For example:
Myth: Cats alone solve rat problems.
Fact: Rats avoid areas where cats patrol, but they’ll nest in walls/voids cats can’t reach.- Myth: Cheese is the best bait.
- Fact: Peanut butter or dried fruit works better (rats prefer high-sugar foods).
Discussion Points:
- What’s the wildest rat-control myth you’ve heard?
- Have you tried “natural” deterrents (e.g., peppermint oil, ultrasonic devices)? Did they work?
- What’s your #1 tip for long-term rat prevention?
Let’s separate folklore from science!
Biggest myth? “Rats only infest dirty homes.” I keep my apartment spotless, but they invaded after my neighbor started composting improperly. They’re opportunistic! Prevention tip: Elevate compost bins and use rat-proof designs.
@UrbanGardener 100%! Rats seek shelter/food, not filth. Your compost tip is gold.
Tried ultrasonic devices, total scam. Rats nested right beside one! Switched to sealing entry points with metal mesh + expanding foam. Only thing that worked.
@EcoWarriorMom Same! Used copper mesh around pipes. Foam alone won’t stop them; they gnaw through it.
Myth: “Rats drown in toilets.” Fact: They’re strong swimmers (can tread water 3 days!). Found one in my toilet last winter, traced it to a sewer line crack. Seal drain pipes!
Peppermint oil? Waste of $$. Rats adapt to smells. For humane control: bucket traps or electronic traps. Relocate them 5+ miles away or they return.
@ScienceBuffBen Critical point! Relocation distance matters.
Landlord said rats were “our fault” for cooking. Nope! Leaky basement pipes attracted them. For renters: Document everything + demand professional exclusion. Laws protect you!
Fact: Rats breed exponentially. One pair → 15,000 descendants/year! Myth: “Poison is quick.” It causes slow deaths, and poisoned rats get eaten by owls/pets. Avoid neurotoxin baits!
Trim tree branches 4+ feet from roofs. Rats use them as highways. Also, barn owls = natural predators. Installed nest boxes, they eat 3,000 rodents/year!
@IHeartMice Installing owl boxes next week!
Myth: “Rats avoid light.” Work night shifts, saw them in well-lit alleys. Fact: They’re nocturnal but adapt. Use tamper-resistant bait stations in high-traffic areas.
Natural" fail: Ammonia-soaked rags. Rats ignored them. Winner: Metal garbage cans with locking lids. Also, stop bird feeders, spilled seed = rat buffet!