How to Apply DETOUR® Rat Repellent For Maximum Results
Each DETOUR® product is powered by pure capsaicin to create an intolerable sensory barrier that forces rodents to flee without toxic chemicals or lethal traps. Select your product format below to view step by step application instructions and targeted placement zones.
Quick Product Selection Matrix
| Product Format | Best Used For | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
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Spot treatments, gaps, interior perimeter lines |
No caulk gun required; fast DIY & homeowner use
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Long exterior runs, commercial structures, high volume |
Uniform high-speed delivery with standard caulk gun
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Vehicle engine bays, wire harnesses, complex machinery |
Fast, wide coverage across irregular and broad surfaces |
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Pantries, drop ceilings, sub-floors, discreet spaces |
Pre-measured, mess-free passive deterrent barrier
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Locating entry points & verifying post-treatment results
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UV-powder system maps exact rodent travel routes |
DETOUR® Rat Repellent Gel 8 oz. Squeeze Tube
Hand-applied precision engineered for spot treatments, tight gaps, and active rodent travel routes. Stops rats and mice from entering wall voids and structural gaps without requiring specialized tools.
Prep the Surface: Wear protective gloves. Cut the nozzle tip cleanly above the threads. Clean and dry the surface thoroughly before application. (Note: Do not apply to a Porous Surface. Porous surfaces like unsealed brick or raw wood may absorb gel).
Apply Gel Bead: Squeeze a continuous ½-inch bead in a zig-zag pattern along an active runway. Wrap gel fully around circular objects, edge entry points inside and out, and apply thicker beads on rough or irregular surfaces.
Vertical Surfaces: Use a painter’s brush or foam brush to spread gel into a thin layer across entire surface.
Maintain & Inspect: Periodically inspect active zones. Reapply as needed in heavy traffic areas. Reseal nozzle and store it in a cool, dry place.
TARGET AREAS
- Entry points & gaps
- Wall voids
- Pipe penetrations
- Along baseboards
- Attic & crawl spaces
- Cabinet corners
DETOUR® Rat Repellent Gel 10 oz. Caulking Tube
Built for high-volume jobs, long perimeter runs, and commercial pest exclusion. Fits any standard caulking gun for rapid, uniform gel application along extensive structural entry paths.
Prep the Surface: Wear protective gloves. Cut the nozzle tip cleanly to allow a ½” hole. Put Caulking Tube into any standard caulking gun. Clean and dry the surface thoroughly before application. (Note: Do not apply to a Porous Surface. Porous surfaces like unsealed brick or raw wood may absorb gel).
Apply Gel Bead: Apply a continuous ½-inch bead in a zig-zag pattern along an active runway. Wrap gel fully around circular objects, edge entry points inside and out, and apply thicker beads on rough or irregular surfaces.
Vertical Surfaces: Use a painter’s brush or foam brush to spread gel into a thin layer across entire surface.
Maintain & Inspect: Periodically inspect active zones. Reapply as needed in heavy traffic areas. Wrap nozzle tip in saran wrap or plastic bag and store in a cool, dry place.
TARGET AREAS
- Water supply lines
- Drain pipes
- Electrical conduits
- HVAC ducts
- Cable trays
- Expansion joints
DETOUR® Wire Protection Gel 11oz. Aerosol Spray
Protects vehicle wiring, heavy equipment, and machinery electronics from costly damage. Aerosol delivery creates an even protective coating across wide, hard-to-reach surfaces and complex wiring harnesses.
Prep Safety Gear & Surface: Wear gloves and eye protection. Work in a well-ventilated area. Wipe dirt, grease, and moisture off target wiring or machinery surfaces.
Spray Even Coating: Shake the can vigorously. Hold 4–6 inches from target area and spray a generous, continuous coat. Use the attached red straw for deep engine voids, tight crevices, and hidden conduit paths.
Coverage: Allow spray to set. Apply multiple layers for severe rodent infestations. Do not wipe away gel unless dripping occurs.
Storage: Cap and store between 20°F–130°F when not in use. Reapply as needed
TARGET AREAS
- Vehicle engine bays
- Equipment housings
- Wiring harnesses
- Large wall voids
- Under-hood surfaces
- Machinery cavities
DETOUR® Gel Trays
Ready-to-place, zero-mess passive deterrent. Position trays directly inside cabinets, pantries, or ceiling voids where loose gel application isn’t practical.
Unbox & Position: Wear gloves, remove twin trays from packaging, and peel open to expose gel. Place gel-side up on a flat surface along an active runway. Secure with double-sided tape on slick surfaces.
Add Attractant: Press a small piece of non-poisonous bait or fresh food into the center of the tray to lure rodents into direct gel contact.
Monitor & Replace: Check trays daily. Replace depleted trays or relocate undisturbed trays to areas showing active droppings or chewing.
TARGET AREAS
- Shelving & pallets
- Equipment bases
- Under appliances
- Storage rooms
- Drop-ceiling voids
- Utility closets
DETOUR® RatTrax® Tracking Tunnel
Identify exact rodent pathways and confirm treatment success. The RatTrax® tunnel coats rodent paws, tails and fur with non-toxic UV powder so you can map active travel lines using blacklight inspection.
Coat & Place: Add UV powder into the tunnel, cap, and shake to distribute evenly. Add non-toxic food bait into the tunnel center, remove end caps, and tape tunnel to a clean surface along suspected runway.
Track Activity: Leave in place for 24–48 hours. Darken the room and sweep the area with the included UV light to reveal glowing rodent footprints leading directly to entry points and nests.
Target Treatment: Apply DETOUR® Rat Repellent Gel directly to identified entry gaps, runways, active areas, and inside of the tunnel identified by the UV footprints.
TARGET AREAS
- Suspected runways
- Wall-edge pathways
- Perimeter zones
- Behind equipment
- Inspection checkpoints
- Pre/post-treatment audits
How DETOUR® Rat Repellent Gel Works: FAQs & Application Tips
How does DETOUR® Rat Repellent Gel work?
DETOUR® uses contact-activated pure capsaicin. When rodents walk on or touch the gel, it triggers a powerful sensory response on their paws and muzzle. Rodents groom themselves, spreading the sensation, which creates a strong negative association that causes them to immediately abandon the area.
Is DETOUR® safe to use around food storage and pets?
Yes. DETOUR® is NSF-certified, non-toxicant, and EPA-compliant (#85002-1). While safe and non-lethal, it contains active capsaicin (pepper extract), so it should be applied out of direct reach of pets and children to avoid mild skin or eye irritation.
How long does a single DETOUR® application last?
Under indoor conditions on non-porous surfaces, DETOUR® gel remains active for up to 12–24 months. Outdoor applications or high-dust environments may require periodic inspections and reapplication every 3–6 months.