Rats hate the smell of their own dead. But using dead rats as deterrent is… well, not for the faint of heart!
Best combo I’ve found: peppermint spray + bright LED lights in dark corners + regular ultrasonic sound rotation. Makes my shed completely rat-proof!
Good discussion here.
One thing worth adding is that scent-based deterrents or bait only influence rodent behavior — they don’t physically stop them.
In professional or residential settings, success often comes down to trap placement and stability. Mechanical traps placed flush against walls or known travel routes tend to perform more consistently than lighter or poorly secured options.