Spring is a key breeding season for rats, meaning they’re hungry, looking for shelter and rapidly multiplying – so this easy solution could be just in time
Recent weeks have shown just how quickly rat and mice infestations can take hold, but there are some cheap and simple ways to keep them at bay(Image: Getty)
There’s nothing that gets your heart racing quite like spotting a mouse in your home or a rat digging through your bins. And in recent weeks, many across Birmingham have seen far too many skittering across the road.
These critters can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps to gain entry, making it incredibly difficult to rodent-proof your property.
Spring is a prime breeding season for them, which means they’re hungry, seeking shelter and rapidly multiplying. But there could be a much simpler solution before you fork out for a costly exterminator or waste your time setting up ineffective traps.
Experts suggest a 24p kitchen ingredient could be highly effective at deterring rodents. Glen Peskett, DIY expert from Saxton Blades, shared with the Express one kitchen staple that can keep rats away from your home all year round: garlic.
Garlic can help deter rodents(Image: Rhinoneal via Getty Images)
Glen said: “Garlic is a favourite all around the world, it smells amazing, has health benefits and transforms any dish you put it in. But for rats? That strong, pungent smell is their absolute nightmare.
“Rats rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate and find food. Garlic, with its strong sulfur compounds, overwhelms their sense of smell and makes them feel disoriented. These compounds are also something rats associate with toxic substances, naturally deterring them from entering your home.”
How to keep rats and mice away
Place garlic cloves around entry points in your home, where rodents are likely to poke their nose in. They are most attracted to areas like your basements, garages, kitchens and even the loft, so ensure to place them near any cracks and doorways around the outside of your home.
Garlic oil also works in a similar way – just soak it on a cotton ball and put it in hotspots around your home.
Rodents are also not a fan of the smell of peppermint, so you can pop a few drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle with water and spriz it around any potential entry points.
And if you’re looking for other ways to deter the pests, food waste is a major draw – so make sure bins are kept tightly sealed, take them out regularly, and clean up any spills quickly.
You should also check for cracks in your home, especially under doors or vents, and fill them in. Rodents can squeeze through the tiniest gaps, so take extra care when doing this.