Using a Rodent Strobe Light as a Deterrent

There are many ways to deter or repel rodents. One of these is the rodent strobe light - essentially a high-intensity, flashing light that rats, mice, squirrel and other wildlife (and people, unfortunately!) find highly annoying. The goal of a rodent strobe is to make attics, crawl spaces, and other areas unlivable to rodents.

As usual with these types of devices, there are homeowners who swear by them and other homeowners who state that they don't work. The lights should be run continuously (24 hours a day, 7 days a week - never turned off, in other words). Homeowners may need more than one unit since the lights need to cover all areas of the room. Rooms with beams or other structures or belongings that may block the lights will only cause the rodents to move to an area that is unaffected by the lights.

Cautions

• Be careful when using extension cords to run rodent strobe lights - rodents are incessant chewers and there is a risk that they may chew through the cords.
• Check the label for coverage. More lights will be needed in larger spaces, or spaces where walls, structures, furnishings, etc ... block the strobe light. Every part of the area must be affected by the lights, or the rodents will simply stay in the part(s) that are unaffected.
• There is also a risk that rodents will move elsewhere in the home that is unaffected by the lights, eg. an area that was not previously infested.
• Entry points should be sealed up once all pests are gone. Be absolutely sure that all rodents have exited the home prior to sealing it up, otherwise they may die inside the house and cause other issues, including odor and mites.

A rodent strobe light is a good option for those interested in humane pest control, as the light does not actually harm rodents. It only makes the space unappealing to them and discourages them from hanging around. Once the home is free of rodents, preventive pest control measures should be taken to help ensure long-term results.