FAQ

Learn how Detour® Rat Repellent Gel delivers a professional-grade, environmentally friendly, and budget-conscious solution to effectively deter problem rats and mice. Explore this page for answers to your questions about this innovative pest control product.

Detour®, an EPA-registered and NSF-certified gel repellent with a US-patented formula, delivers proven performance globally for over 15 years. Effective for up to 12 months indoors or in sheltered outdoor spaces, its NSF certification ensures safety for use in food preparation and storage environments, including restaurants, hospitals, and schools.

The gel incorporates capsaicin, a natural compound that irritates rodents upon contact. When rats or mice encounter the gel, they transfer it to their nesting sites while grooming, resulting in significant discomfort. This encourages them to steer clear of treated zones, move toward traps, or vacate the area entirely, frequently prompting other rodents to follow.

Detour®, an EPA-registered rodenticide, is classified as a non-toxicant by the EPA and is non-lethal to humans and pets. While no rodenticide can be explicitly labeled as “safe,” Detour® poses minimal risk when used as directed. To avoid potential skin or eye irritation from capsaicin, apply the gel in areas out of reach of people and pets. In case of contact, thoroughly wash the affected area with soap and water or flush eyes with water.

Apply the gel along rodent pathways, including walls, vent screens, A/C ducts, holes, crevices, floor drains, doorways, or grease traps. Its NSF certification ensures safe use in sensitive settings such as kitchens, supermarkets, food trucks, hospitals, and schools.

Detour® provides up to 12 months of protection on non-porous surfaces in indoor or sheltered outdoor environments when undisturbed. In high-traffic, heavily infested areas, or under severe weather conditions, reapplication may be necessary to ensure continued effectiveness.

Yes, the gel complements snap traps and glue traps by increasing rodent stress, reducing trap avoidance, and improving capture rates. Pest control experts often use traps indoors, where rodents are less likely to escape the structure.

No, Detour® Rat Repellent Gel is a non-lethal, humane solution that irritates rodents, prompting them to leave without causing harm. It’s an ideal professional-grade alternative in regions where chemical rodenticides are restricted.

While pest control professionals have reported success against pests like cockroaches, termites, scorpions, snakes, squirrels, woodpeckers, and opossums, the EPA only approves its use for rats. Claims for other pests are not permitted.

Wear latex gloves and protective goggles to prevent skin or eye irritation. Avoid applying Detour® in areas accessible to humans or pets. If contact occurs, wash skin with soap and water or flush eyes with water immediately.

Block alternative rodent routes to guide them over the gel. Secure trays on ledges or pipes using tape or wire, placing them every 5–12 feet depending on infestation severity. Note that rats and mice have poor vision and tend to travel along walls rather than open spaces.