We Tested 5 Popular Ways to Get Rid of Rats (And Found One That Actually Works)

by Jake Miller May 13, 2025 Home & Garden

If you’ve ever had rats invade your home, you know how serious—and unsettling—it can be. One day, everything looks normal, and the next, you’re hearing loud scurrying in the walls, finding chewed wires and food packaging, or spotting droppings in hidden corners.

Rats are larger, smarter, and more destructive than mice. They can chew through wood, drywall, and even some metals. They spread disease, contaminate food, and cause thousands of dollars in damage if left unchecked. Once they move in, they don’t leave without a fight—and they often bring friends.

Like many homeowners, we wanted a safe, effective way to get rid of rats without using poison or constantly dealing with traps. So we tested five of the most common rat control methods to see what actually works.

Some gave us short-term relief. Most didn’t. Here’s what we found.

Method #1: Rat Repellent Sprays and Pouches

How it works: These products use strong smells like peppermint, ammonia, or predator urine to drive rats away.

Our experience: We placed scent pouches and sprayed areas where we saw signs of activity—behind the stove, under the sink, and in the garage. At first, the rats seemed to stay away, but the effect wore off fast. Within a few days, they were back like nothing happened.

Final verdict: Only works for a short time. Needs constant reapplying and doesn’t stop the real problem.

Method #2: Snap Traps and Glue Traps

How it works: Snap traps kill rats instantly, while glue traps hold them in place until removed.

Our experience: Snap traps caught a few rats, but setting them up was messy and required checking every day. Glue traps were even worse—cruel and disturbing to deal with. Plus, for every rat we caught, another one showed up soon after.

Final verdict: Gross, stressful, and only solves part of the problem. Not a real solution for a full infestation.

Method #3: Poison Bait Stations

How it works: Rats eat poison-laced bait and die later, often in hard-to-reach places.

Our experience: We tried this method once—and never again. A rat died inside the wall, and the smell was unbearable for weeks. On top of that, poison can be dangerous for pets and kids.

Final verdict: High risk, unpleasant results. Not recommended for indoor use.

Method #4: Blocking Entry Points

How it works: You try to seal every crack, gap, or opening where rats can enter.

Our experience: This is helpful for prevention, but it’s nearly impossible to do perfectly—especially when rats can chew right through some materials. Even after patching up the obvious holes, they found another way in.

Final verdict: Good as a backup step, but not enough to deal with rats already inside.

Method #5: Ultrasonic Rat Repellers

How it works: These devices plug into outlets and send out high-frequency sound waves that rats can’t stand, but humans and pets can’t hear. The goal is to make your home feel unsafe so rats leave and stay away.

Our experience: We plugged in a unit in the kitchen and another in the garage. Within days, the scurrying stopped. No new droppings, no signs of chewing, no sounds at night. It was totally silent, maintenance-free, and didn’t involve handling rats at all.

Final verdict: The easiest, cleanest, and most effective method we tested.

Our #1 Pick for Getting Rid of Rats for Good

After seeing how well ultrasonic devices could work, we took a closer look at the best-rated options—and Rodent Fortress Mini stood out right away. It had excellent reviews, a solid design, and promised real results without traps or poison. We gave it a try… and within days, the rats were gone. No more scratching in the walls, no more droppings in the pantry, no more chewed-up wires.

Most other methods we tried were messy, expensive, or didn’t solve the problem long-term. But Rodent Fortress Mini was different—simple, quiet, and it actually worked.

Unlike sprays that fade, traps that only catch one rat at a time, or poisons that create new problems, Rodent Fortress Mini is a plug-in device that runs 24/7, making your home feel completely unwelcoming to rats.

Why Rodent Fortress Mini Works When Other Methods Fail

Rats are smart, cautious, and incredibly tough to get rid of. They avoid traps, learn to ignore smells, and squeeze through the smallest gaps. Most methods only work for a few days—then the rats are back.

Rodent Fortress Mini takes a smarter approach. It uses sound waves to change how your home feels to rats—so they leave and stay away.

Here’s why it worked better than anything else we tried:

1. Ultrasonic Sound That Rats Hate – Rodent Fortress Mini emits high-frequency sound waves that are silent to people and pets but deeply disturbing to rats. It interferes with their senses and makes your home feel unsafe.
2. No Mess, No Traps, No Poison – You don’t have to check anything, reset anything, or clean up dead rats. The device simply makes them want to leave on their own.
3. Plug It In and Forget It – Just place it in any room with signs of rat activity—kitchen, garage, basement, or attic. It starts working immediately and needs no maintenance.
4. Safe for Kids and Pets – No harmful chemicals or sharp traps to worry about. It’s completely safe for use around the whole family.
5. Protects Your Whole Home – You can use multiple units for bigger spaces or problem areas. It helps keep every part of your house free from rats—without effort.

The Science Behind Rodent Fortress Mini

Rats rely on their hearing – They use sound to sense danger and find food. The ultrasonic waves overwhelm their senses, making them feel anxious and unsafe.

They avoid unfamiliar, stressful places – Rats don’t like change. When their safe nesting spots suddenly become unpredictable and unpleasant, they leave quickly.

They learn from experience – When rats feel threatened in a certain space, they remember it. That’s why they don’t just leave temporarily—they stay away for good.

Final Verdict: The Best Way to Get Rid of Rats for Good

If you’re sick of rats chewing wires, making noise at night, or leaving droppings around your home, Rodent Fortress Mini is the easiest, safest, and most reliable way to get them out—and keep them out.

1. 100% humane — drives rats away without killing them
2. No maintenance — plug it in once and it works automatically
3. Safe for families with children and pets
4. Works anywhere — kitchen, garage, attic, or basement
5. Backed by science — targets what rats hate most

If you’re ready to make your home rat-free without dealing with traps, poison, or stress, Rodent Fortress Mini is the solution that finally gets the job done.