Summer is beginning to come to a close, but as the weather gets colder, you need to be aware that rats and mice are now more likely to make their way into your home. Rodents will start to seek somewhere warm to build a nest to protect them from the elements, and are more willing to risk being near humans as the temperature drops.
It is important to be vigilant now as one or two rodents can quickly become an infestation, which means it will be more difficult to get rid of them, and you will likely have to spend money on an exterminator. However, the pest control experts at Eliminate Solutions has shared there is a very simple way to prevent rodents becoming a problem, and all you need is a spice.
They said: “The smell of cayenne pepper has been proven to repel mice, as well as ticks, ants and other pests. The best way to use cayenne is by mixing it with water and spraying it on the places you don’t want the mice to go. You can also mix cayenne pepper with flour and sprinkle it around your home.”
Rats and mice have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell that is much stronger than humans, and are more likely to react to strong scents.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which has a pungent spicy smell that is likely to overwhelm them as it will create a burning sensation in their noses.
It will signal to rodents that there is something harmful in the environment, and they will are more likely to avoid the area to find somewhere safer to nest.
Rodents will always go where there is an easy source of food, but cayenne pepper will disorient them and make it more difficult for them to sniff out crumbs or any exposed food in your kitchen.
How to use cayenne pepper to keep mice and rats away
All you need to do is mix a few tablespoons of cayenne pepper into a spray bottle filled with water. Then, simply spray the mixture around doorways, windows or any unsealed areas of your home.
If rodents are getting into cupboards, then mix cayenne pepper with flour and sprinkle it around your kitchen to keep them away from your food.
The spicy smell will fade after a days, so spray the solution at least twice a week as a natural way to prevent rodents coming into your home or deal with a few of them who have began nesting.
However, cayenne pepper will not be strong enough to deal with a large infestation, and you are more likely to need traps or a exterminator if you have a lot of rodents in your home.
It should also be noted that cayenne pepper can also be very irritating to cats and dogs so if you have pets you might want to try a different method such as peppermint oil, lavender plants or even pineapple juice.
