6 Natural Ways to Keep Rats Out of Your Home in the Winter, According to Pest Pros

Like many other common garden pests, rats seek to move indoors during winter because these spaces offer warmth, shelter, and food. As freezing temperatures set in, rats are more likely to see your house as a suitable place to wait out winter. While you don’t want these rodents living with you rent-free, you don’t want to kill or harm them either. Ahead, pest control experts share natural ways to keep rats away from your home this season.

Try Live Traps

Live traps allow you to catch and release rodents infesting your home. For optimal success, leave the trap unset with bait nearby for several days so the rats adjust to it. "Only set the trigger once they are comfortably eating the bait," says Daniel Baldwin, a board-certified entomologist at Hawx Pest Control. Once they’re caught, relocate the rats at least one mile away from your home, since rats typically have a large territory. "Moving them even further away is often safer to ensure they don’t return," he says.

Cut Off Food Sources

Rats will eat any kind of food available to them, so removing food sources is the best way to keep them away, says Baldwin. This means keeping a very clean home, as rats will head straight to any trace of food, including bird seed and animal feed around the property, crumbs on floors or counters, and unsecured pet food. Seal your food in airtight containers and regularly deep clean your kitchen.

Seal Entry Points

Rats need an opening about the size of a quarter to get into your home. "The only way to truly protect your home from rats is by sealing all gaps and holes," says Nicole Carpenter, president of Black Pest Prevention. What's more, because their teeth are so strong, they can easily chew through rubber, foam, plastic, vinyl, and thin wood. "While steel wool and silicone work well when you want to block mice, only galvanized steel mesh, aluminum flashing, metal kick plates, hardware cloth, and concrete patch really work against rats," she says.

Always start with metal to block rat teeth, and never ignore gaps around pipes or utility lines. Once the metal is in place, use an exterior-grade sealant to lock it down and close any remaining air gaps. Rats can chew through almost any sealant, and none of those materials stop a determined rat, but the metal does. "The sealant is only there to fill the tiny gaps the metal can’t cover and keep the metal tight so they can’t get their teeth behind it," Carpenter says.

Remove Nesting Materials

Rats will set up nests in your home where they can hide, sleep, and reproduce. "If you remove spots where they can build habitats and hiding places, they are more likely to leave your home," says Baldwin. These critters love clutter because it gives them places to nest and hide from humans. Baldwin recommends removing paper or cardboard piles from your home. "Clean out the basement on a regular basis and store your items on shelving that's away from walls and off the ground," he says.

Apply White Vinegar

White vinegar can serve as a helpful deterrent in mild rat infestations or as a preventative measure. Its sharp, pungent aroma is no friend to rodents, who rely heavily on scent trails to find food and shelter. "A vinegar-treated space can feel confusing and inhospitable to them, like someone rearranged the furniture in the dark," Baldwin says.

To use this method, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spritz along baseboards, behind appliances, and in corners where you've noticed rat activity. You can also soak cotton balls in undiluted vinegar and place them in drawers or cupboards. Reapply regularly, as the scent fades over time.

Vinegar is a preventive measure; for the best results, pair this method with sealing up cracks and gaps.

Use Peppermint Oil

If you're hoping to keep rats out of the house without using synthetic chemicals, peppermint oil may be your new favorite ally. "Rats have an incredibly keen sense of smell, and the bold, minty aroma of peppermint oil can be surprisingly off-putting to them," says Baldwin.

It’s not a magic fix, but it can help make your home less inviting. "Think of peppermint oil as a polite but firm 'no vacancy' sign: it won’t stop determined visitors, but it might encourage them to look elsewhere," he says. Soak cotton balls in 100 percent pure peppermint oil and tuck them into corners where you’ve noticed rat activity, under sinks, behind appliances, and near entry points, he says. Refresh the scent every few days to keep it potent.