Peppermint smells strong and is unappealing to rats, but it's completely harmless and chemical-free. ... It's a great chemical-free alternative—especially if you have children and pets running around—and it wards off other pests too, including raccoons, mice, and roaches.

What smells do rats dislike?

Rats have a powerful sense of smell. You can repel rats from your home and garden with scents they dislike, such as clover, garlic, onion, hot peppers containing capsaicin, house ammonia, used coffee grounds, peppermint, eucalyptus, predator (cat) scent, white vinegar, and citronella oil.

What does peppermint do to rats?

Peppermint oil is said to deter rats from entering treated areas. In high concentrations, peppermint oil may exhibit some repellency.