The Best Rodent Repellent

Pest Strategies

Mice and rats can carry diseases, spoil food, and make your home feel uncomfortable. To keep rodents away without using a traditional trap, Pest Strategies researched products on Amazon to help you find the best rodent repellent for your situation. Learn more about our top picks below.

1 Easiest to use
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L236OMW

Fresh Cab Rodent Repellent

What We Like: These scent-based mice and rat repellents make it simple and convenient to keep these pests at bay, while working to freshen the air around you. Offering protection for up to 30 days, each packet utilizes non-toxic balsam fir oil that smells pleasant to humans and won’t harm children or pets. Upon activation, these packets are fast-acting and make this an ideal set-it-and-forget-it rodent solution — just make sure to replace each packet as directed.

2 Best for cars
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YBX6XY2

Angveirt Rodent Repellent

What We Like: Cars, trucks, and boats stored away for the winter can become targets for rodents who like to crawl inside the hood and chew on wires, resulting in costly damage to electronic systems. This easy-to-install ultrasonic rodent repellent is designed to be placed under the hood of vehicles or anywhere near cables or wires, and uses three AA alkaline batteries for power, eliminating the need for an outlet. Ultrasonic sound waves are emitted in a 10-foot radius from the device, providing plenty of protection for a vehicle of any size.

3 Best-smelling spray
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HYP6D5C

Mighty Mint Rodent Repellent

What We Like: Locally sourced, high-grade peppermint oil from the Pacific Northwest makes this repellent spray a great-smelling option for rodent control. Unlike repellent packets and pellets, this premixed spray is easy to apply in the areas that need it most, and you can ration the spray to cover a maximum area using a one-time application. This spray is also pet-friendly and safe to use around children.

4 Best for outdoors
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012RGQ936

Tomcat Rodent Repellent

What We Like: Rats and mice may be unwelcome visitors indoors, but outdoor rodent infestations around apartment complexes, shopping malls, farms, and other areas can be equally problematic. The long-lasting and water-resistant formula of this rodent repellent spray makes it ideal to target rodents outdoors, and the one-gallon size offers plenty of liquid spray for a thorough, extensive application up to 2,550 square feet. When used as directed, this repellent spray is safe to apply around kids and pets.

5 Best indoor ultrasonic
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CVDMCKW

Loraffe Rodent Repellent

What We Like: Ideal to use in a room or area where rodents are the most active, high-frequency sound waves ranging from 18 to 65 kHz are emitted to send rodents scurrying away. This ultrasonic device also has an ambient light sensor and switch to turn off the LED lights to protect you while you’re sleeping, without waking you up. Requiring no batteries or reapplication, this repellent device is a great long-term solution.

Buying Guide

There are many options available to stop invasive rodents. Whether you’re safeguarding your home or protecting your vehicle, here’s what to know before you make a decision.

Type: Unlike rat traps designed to lure in and capture or kill rodents, repellents drive off rodents when they get near. Repellents primarily function in one of two ways:

Scents: Producing strong odors to their ultra-sensitive noses, scent-based rodent repellents come in the form of packets, pellets, or sprays.

Soundwaves: Ultrasonic sound devices emit high-frequency noises that are undetectable to human ears, but easily heard by the ears of rodents. Usually, pets are not harmed or affected by these sound frequencies.

Ingredients: Most scent-based rodent repellents use essential oils to ward them away. You won’t see many toxic ingredients or harsh chemicals in rodent repellents, unlike certain bed bug sprays, rat killers, or mothballs.

Coverage: Even the best scent-based and ultrasonic rodent repellents are limited to a certain range. Depending on the extent of your rodent infestation, placing multiple scent packets, spraying down multiple rooms, or combining these scents with an ultrasonic device in another room, may yield the best results. Look for coverage areas on the product packaging.

Longevity: Rodent repellent packets, pellets, and sprays only last from a few weeks to a couple of months. Reapplication is often necessary if your issue persists, or if you’re seeking constant protection. Powered by electricity, ultrasonic devices have a much greater lifespan.

FAQs

Can I use my own essential oils to repel rodents?

Certain rodent repellent products contain peppermint oil designed to overwhelm a rodent’s highly sensitive nose. Other essential oils may be used, such as cayenne pepper or cinnamon, to elicit a similar reaction. While these essential oils will produce a pleasant smell to humans, their effectiveness is not guaranteed.

What is “layering” and why is it important for repelling rodents?

“Layering” refers to using multiple applications of the same rodent repellent, or combining different types of rodent repellents, such as a spray and an ultrasonic device, to achieve the best results. Repellents are not designed to create a solid “barrier” with a single application, but multiple applications will increase the effectiveness of repelling rodents.

What else can I do to prevent mice or rats from entering my home?

The best way to drive rodents out of your home or business is to prevent them from entering in the first place. Here are several things you can do to discourage these unwanted visitors:

Keep areas clean: Keeping your home clean means more than not leaving food crumbs lying around. Use bleach and other cleansers to eliminate odors that will attract mice.

Maintain your trash: Leftover food and other pungent odors will naturally attract mice and rats. Keep your outdoor trash cans as far away from your house as possible. Use strong, flexible plastic bags for all of your trash, and be sure to tie it tight when you take it out.

Contain food: Make sure all the food containers in the cupboards are airtight to prevent attractive odors from seeping out. Go through all your kitchen cabinets and cupboards to make sure there’s nothing left open that could lure rodents in.

Consider getting a cat: While this tip is purely optional, most cats will naturally hunt or scare off any rodents.

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.