There are many ways to protect your home from rats - but not all work equally well. Here's a look at the most common methods and what to consider when choosing a rat repellent.
Bringing rats or mice into your home can be both expensive and unhygienic. Rodents can cause fires by gnawing on electrical wires, spread diseases and leave behind huge clean-up costs. But not all rat repellents work equally well - and some can even make the problem worse.
Here we review the most common methods, their advantages and disadvantages, and what you should consider before choosing a solution.
👉 Read about Repello here
Traps - the classic that requires time and maintenance
Traps are one of the oldest methods of controlling rats and mice.
Benefits:
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Direct and visible effect - you see the result.
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One-off cost for purchase.
Disadvantages:
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Requires constant monitoring and emptying.
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Unpleasant to handle dead rodents.
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Leaves scent trails that can attract new rodents.
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Doesn't remove the cause - new rats can quickly move in.
Best suited for: Smaller problems where you have the time and ability to tend to the traps daily.
Poison - quick but risky
Poison has long been a common weapon against rats. However, this method has become increasingly questionable, both for environmental reasons and because rats have developed resistance.
Benefits:
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Can kill large populations quickly.
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Relatively easy to deploy.
Disadvantages:
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Risk to children and pets.
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Rats can die in walls → odour and sanitation problems.
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The EU is gradually regulating and phasing out many rat poisons.
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Increasingly ineffective as some strains of rats have become resistant.
Best suited for: Professional pest controllers who can handle it safely.
Cheap ultrasonic devices - often scam products
Many people are attracted by simple, cheap ultrasonic devices sold online and in discount stores. These are marketed as 'invisible protection' but are often criticised by homeowners and consumers who can't tell the difference.
Benefits:
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Low cost.
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Easy to install.
Disadvantages:
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Mice quickly get used to the static sound.
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Little or no scientific testing behind the products.
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No long-term effect.
Best suited for: Unfortunately, they are mostly ornamental - they are of little practical use.
Repello - new Swedish technology based on research
👉 Read more about Repello and order here
Unlike the traditional methods, Repello is based on scientifically documented alarm signals. Researchers at Luleå University of Technology (LTU ) have mapped how rats communicate when they warn each other of mortal danger.
By recreating these signals, Repello causes rats and mice to immediately flee - and avoid coming back.
How it works:
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A unique sound chamber amplifies signals 30 times more than conventional devices.
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The rats perceive it as a "giant rat" warning them.
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Safe for people, children and pets - completely non-toxic.
Benefits:
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Scientifically proven to work.
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No supervision is required.
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Long life thanks to high quality ceramic elements.
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Protects up to 60 m² per unit.
Best suited for: Households looking for non-toxic, modern and sustainable protection.
Expert: How to best protect your home
As autumn and winter approach, the risk of rats moving indoors increases.
- The key is to act quickly. Start by sealing cracks, checking floor drains and ventilation. Then choose a method that suits your needs," says Professor Örjan Johansson, one of the researchers behind Repello.
He recommends thinking long-term:
- Poisons and traps are often short-term solutions. Repello is an example of how modern technology can solve the problem without spreading chemicals around the home.
👉 Try it risk-free for 30 days!
Summary - which method is best?
| Metod | Effectiveness | Safety and security | Long-term solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traps | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Poison | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Low-cost ultrasound | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Repello | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
