Will Moth Balls Keep Rats Away?
The first question you should ask yourself is, “Will moth balls keep rats away?” If you’re using mothballs outdoors, you can expect a few mice to leave your home. However, they may not react to the smell and simply relocate to an area where they won’t encounter mothballs. If you’re using mothballs inside your home, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Rats can squeeze through a hole as small as 1/4″. While mothballs may keep rats away, you shouldn’t rely on mothballs alone. Rats can chew through a quarter-inch-wide hole, and they’re adept at finding other routes in.
Another option for keeping rats out of your home is to use a rat repellent like eucalyptus oil. This repellent is not as strong as peppermint oil, but it will keep rodents from nesting inside your home. This oil can be found in diluted concentrations and sprayed in the pathways that rats usually use to get into a home.
Mothballs do not work very well at keeping rats out of a home. A more effective solution is exclusion, which is a permanent solution. It’s important to note that rats don’t have a strong dislike for mothballs. The naphthalene found in mothballs can irritate rats, but not enough to make them flee.