Raw onions can kill rats. While not a part of their regular diet, or a humane rat control technique, onions do have the ability to kill and temporarily deter rats. Learn more about the effects of onions and find more effective, humane strategies for removing rodents from your property with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. 

How Do Onions Affect Rats?

A cut, fresh onion emits a powerful odour and irritates the eyes of rats, just like humans. Rats are very sensitive to harsh odours, so won’t likely eat a raw onion if left on its own.

Some homeowners mix the raw onion with meat or other food to mask the smell and trick the rodent into eating it. Once ingested, raw onion can cause severe anemia. It affects the amount of oxygen, drains their cells and causes severe stomach pain. Without a lot of water, quickly, most rats die slowly and painfully.

The process usually takes up to 12 hours, but some rats can live for a day or two before dying. Most rats either suffocate, starve or experience kidney failure from consuming raw onions.

A cooked onion doesn’t have the same effects as a raw one. Rats are capable of eating fully cooked onions, so throwing out cooked onion scraps won’t injure or kill rats.

This is a particularly inhumane way to remove rats from your home. Not every rat will be tricked by hidden raw onion. Even if a rat is tricked, it experiences a very painful, slow death. Consider a more humane alternative if you’re looking for a way to efficiently remove rodents from your home.

Are Onions Good Rat Repellent?

Some homeowners claim that a raw onion is an effective rat repellent. It’s true that the smell can temporarily drive away rats, but it’s not a very effective or long-term solution.

Rats quickly become used to the scent, particularly as the onion ages. You can’t predict whether an onion will drive a rat away from your home or just further into your basement, attic or wall cavities.

Leaving raw onions around your home isn’t exactly a convenient solution for wildlife removal in Barrie. The powerful odour can be almost as much of a deterrent for you and your guests as it is for rats. Avoid this inefficient strategy and find out how you can properly repel rats.

How Can You Repel Rats From Your Home?

Work with your local Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control team to assess and remove rats before repairing and cleaning your home. Only a professional team can ensure you receive results that are humane and lasting.

We start with a thorough inspection of your home to identify the entry points for rodents. You may be surprised at how small of a hole rats can squeeze into to find a warm spot to rest in your home.

Once we identify the nest site and access points, we use poison-free techniques to catch any rats. We clear away any contaminated materials and work with you to repair your home and restore your peace of mind. Prevention techniques prevent rats from simply reentering your home and building new nests.

Rats are notorious carriers of ringworm, tapeworm, hantavirus and other dangerous contamination. Even leftover droppings, nest materials and saliva can spread diseases, so you need to work with a professional team for professional contamination removal.

Where Can You Turn for Effective Rat Removal?

Don’t add the unpleasant odour of raw onion to your rat problem, but turn to a trusted source for effective removal. Contact us today to learn more about humane removal services in Barrie. Enjoy a rodent-free home without harming the local wildlife or filling your home with the scent of raw onion.