If you are a hot tub owner, there is a good chance you have encountered pesky rodents making themselves at home inside your hot tub. Think about it from a rodent’s perspective. Their choices are to make a nest somewhere outdoors or take up residence inside a warm and cozy hot tub. Their overwhelming choice is the hot tub.

Rodents in Hot Tubs

There is no worse feeling than discovering unwelcome guests living in your hot tub. Remember, thousands were invested in the purchase. Obviously, this means they have also damaged the hot tub on some level. At this point, there is a range of emotions, with anger being high on that list. This is an issue where the word “gross” also comes to mind. Who wants to share their hot tub with rodents?

Mice love Hot Tubs

Rats and mice are the biggest violators in the hot tub space. Not only do these rodents cause an uneasy feeling, but they are also highly unsanitary. Fact for sure: Rats and mice carry diseases and leave a pelletized mess. Not to mention, the smell can be unbearable. All that said…. they have to go!

Rodent prevention in hot tubs

So how does one prevent rodents from entering a hot tub? The first step is to make sure they have all vacated the premises. This is done by purchasing a rodent preventative from a big box store (Lowes, Home Depot, Ace). The preventative is not a poison and is completely safe around humans and animals. It usually is comprised of organic scented pellets rodents despise. Make sure the pellets are in place for a few days to ensure the “guests” are gone. 

The next step is to purchase fine steel wool (not necessary), and a fine mesh screen. Fill all possible entry points with the steel wool. Once the steel wool is in place, cover all points of entry with the steel mesh. In this two-step approach, the steel wool acts as an irritant, and the screen mesh is too small for rodents to bypass. They will not chew through the mesh because these types of pests do not like the feel of metal on their teeth.

Rodent Repellent

The final step is to apply more repellent around the hot tub and its surrounding area. The organic fragrance in the pellets such as cedar, lavender, and others are pleasant to humans but serve as a preventive barrier to vermin. In fact, they scurry in the opposite direction at the faintest detection. 

Rodents have been eliminated. Enjoy your hot tub!

Problem solved, prevention is in place. It’s recommended to keep a supply of deterrent pellets on hand and apply as needed. Now enjoy the hot tub. Erase the horrible invasion from your mind. The hot tub performs an internal reset of the body. Relax, Refresh, and Rejuvenate. 

This blog was written by your friends at Blackthorne Spas, Salinas Ca.