Rats and mice are set to take over households across the country as the warmer months set in. Spring is a key breeding season for them, meaning they’re hungry, looking for shelter and rapidly multiplying – and unfortunately, this makes homes the perfect nesting grounds.
Not being prepared for this and ignoring any early signs can quickly lead to a plague of rats throughout your home, costing up to £240 to get them removed. Not to mention the risk of picking up any of the many diseases they carry, which can result in serious damage. But before you splurge out for an expensive pest control exterminator or waste your time setting out ineffective traps, a DIY pro has shared their preferred method.
According to Glen Peskett, DIY expert from Saxton Blades, this kitchen favourite can keep rats away from your home all year round – garlic.
He 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.”
For this method, place garlic cloves around entry points in your home, where rodents are likely to poke their nose in.
These pests are most attracted to areas like your garages, kitchens and even the loft, so ensure to place them near any cracks and doorways around the outside of your home.
For those who are not keen on this method, garlic oil “works just as well”. Soak it on a cotton ball and put it in hotspots around your home.
Alternatively, you could opt for apple cider vinegar – its pungent, acidic scent is another deterrent. Soak a cotton ball and place it in areas where rats might enter.
Another option can be to use cayenne pepper as rats dislike the strong scent and spicy taste, which “irritates their nose and mouth”.