Open doors and windows can give easy access to rodents to come inside your home but one storecupboard ingredient can keep them away
Warmer weather might be welcomed by most but it comes with an additional potential problem. While late summer and early autumn are the worst time to get rats and mice inside your house those open windows and doors can also give them easy access.
Paying to remove an infestation once they are inside can cost around £240. However one expert has explained a simple and inexpensive way of putting them off
Glen Peskett, DIY expert from Saxton Blades , says the job can be done using a kitchen staple – garlic – which cost just 89p for a pack of four in Aldi. This make them less than 23p each.
He says: “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.”
What to do with garlic to keep rodents at bay
Glen advises: “Place garlic cloves around entry points in your home, where rodents are likely to poke their nose in. Remember, they’re 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.”
Alternative solutions
If you don’t want to try garlic – or looking like you are trying to keep vampires away – there are other things you can try. Glen advises:
- Garlic oil: Works just as well but without the old folkloric reputation. Soak it on a cotton ball and put it in hotspots around your home
- Cayenne pepper: Rats dislike the strong scent and spicy taste, which irritates their nose and mouth
- Apple cider vinegar: Its pungent, acidic scent is another deterrent. Soak a cotton ball and place it in areas where rats might enter
Other things that can deter rats and mice
Beyond these tips, there are other things you can do to ensure rats don’t look twice at your home. Glen recommends:
- Reduce clutter: Rats love gathering in hidden areas to nest, so having excess clutter in your home is the perfect opportunity for them to breed
- Remove food waste: Food waste is a major attractant for rats. Keep bins tightly sealed, take them out regularly, and clean up any spills quickly
- Fill in any gaps: Check for cracks, especially under doors or vents, and fill them in. Rats can squeeze through even the smallest holes, so be vigilant