How Well Do Rats Smell?
WouterOne of the most interesting studies has to do with rats’ sense of smell. Rats have the ability to guess where an object is when sniffed, and a recent study has found that they can detect the scent of 90% of objects. However, the rats’ sniffing isn’t limited to smell. Some animals have even been observed to smell in stereo, as in the study conducted by Bhalla and colleagues.
The ability to smell helps rats find food in places that are difficult to reach. In addition, they can detect changes in atmospheric conditions and prepare for a storm by using their sense of smell. In the case of rats, this ability helps them survive in a home environment. In fact, there are even species of rats that have been trained to detect certain odors.
Rats have an excellent sense of smell, which is one of the reasons that they can survive in sewers and environments that are far more harsh than homes. Even though astringent odors will not keep rats from your home for good, they can scare them off. Rats prefer natural and predator smells over chemical ones, so they are not attracted by them. Nevertheless, astringent odors can be effective if used in conjunction with more effective preventive measures. One of these measures is sealing gaps in walls and cleaning up the area.
Peppermint has a strong smell that will repel rats. Applying it to cloth or placing a peppermint plant near the home is a good idea. Another natural option is using cloves. These can be wrapped in cloth and placed in open areas or vents.
