While we often rely on traditional deterrents like predator scents, recent research has revealed some surprising insights about rodent behavior.
A study found that wild rats living in familiar environments didn’t try to avoid the areas with predator scents and continued to get their food as usual.1
This unexpected discovery raises questions about the effectiveness of predator scents as a deterrent and opens the door to alternative solutions. One such alternative, WD-40, has gained attention for its potential to repel rodents.
What Is WD-40?
WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. It’s an automotive product that is a lubricant, rust remover, and degreaser. It can also be used to keep mice and rats away from your home due to its strong smell.
Its formula remains a closely guarded trade secret.(ref) In 2018, the original copy of this valuable formula was relocated to a secure bank vault in San Diego. While it is not toxic enough to kill rodents, the scent acts as a warning for them to stay away.
Safety Precautions When Using WD-40
WD-40 contains chemicals that can be harmful to pets and children if ingested. It can cause hydrocarbon poisoning, which affects the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems.(ref)
Therefore, it is important to use WD-40 in areas where pets and children are not likely to come into contact with it.
How to Use WD-40 to Repel Rodents
Here’s how this household lubricant can be used to deter rodents from entering your home:
- Spray WD-40 Outdoors: To safely use WD-40, spray it outdoors as a barrier to deter rodents from entering your home. It is not effective in getting rid of rodents already inside the house.
- Identify Entry Points: Walk around the exterior of your home and look for potential entry points for rodents, such as cracks in the foundation, gaps under siding, and openings in the eaves of the roof.
- Apply WD-40: Spray WD-40 liberally on the identified entry points to create a strong scent barrier.
- Remove Attractants: Eliminate any food sources or other attractants that may lure rodents to your home, such as woodpiles, bird feeders, or spilled garbage.
- Reapply Regularly: Reapply WD-40 every week or so, especially after rain, to maintain its effectiveness.
While WD-40 can help deter mice and rats, it may not be enough to completely solve a rodent problem. If you have a severe infestation, it is recommended to contact a professional exterminator or use other safe indoor rodent control methods.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.