What do rats and mice not tolerate? - briefly
Rats and mice reject strong odors, intense lighting, and sudden vibrations, which provoke acute stress. They also avoid overcrowded, dirty surroundings and abrupt alterations to their habitat.
What do rats and mice not tolerate? - in detail
Rats and mice display strong aversion to several environmental factors that can be used to deter them effectively.
They react negatively to:
- Strong odors such as peppermint oil, ammonia, citrus extracts, and predator urine. These scents overload their olfactory system, causing avoidance.
- Bright, direct light. Both species are nocturnal and prefer darkness; exposure to intense illumination disrupts their activity patterns and drives them away.
- Extreme temperatures. Temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F) or above 30 °C (86 °F) cause physiological stress, prompting relocation.
- Wet or overly humid conditions. Moisture interferes with their fur insulation and increases the risk of fungal infections, leading to habitat abandonment.
- Rough or abrasive surfaces. Materials like metal mesh, sandpaper, or coarse concrete impede movement and cause injury, making such areas unsuitable.
- Persistent vibration or ultrasonic frequencies above 20 kHz. Continuous low‑amplitude vibrations disturb their sense of balance, while ultrasonic emissions exceed their hearing threshold and induce discomfort.
- Lack of food or water. Prolonged scarcity forces migration to areas with reliable resources.
Behavioral studies show that these aversive stimuli trigger immediate flight responses, reduced foraging, and increased stress hormone levels. Effective pest‑management programs combine several of these deterrents to create an environment that rodents find intolerable, thereby reducing infestation risk without relying on lethal measures.