Rats and mice will be looking for food and shelter this spring (Image: Getty) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
As the warmer months get closer and closer, you may be more likely to spot rats and mice at home. Spring is a key breeding season for them, meaning they’re hungry, looking for shelter and rapidly multiplying – and unfortunately, our homes make 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. Not only can extermination be pricey, there’s also the risk of picking up disease. Thankfully, there may be an easy way to keep them at bay – and it’s cheap too.
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According to Glen Peskett, DIY expert from Saxton Blades, one kitchen ingredient 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.”
Garlic is affordable too, with a four-pack costing just 87p from Asda, working out at around 22p per bulb.
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The strong smell of garlic can help to drive pests away (Image: Getty)
How to use garlic to keep rats and mice away
Place garlic cloves around entry points in your home, where rodents are likely to sneak in. 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.
Garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar also work to deter any pests that might be tempted to enter your home.
But it’s not just repellents that can make a difference. Doing other tasks, like reducing clutter, can eliminate any hidden spaces that rats can use to build nests.
Food waste is also a major attractant for rats, so keep bins tightly sealed, take them out regularly, and clean up any spills quickly. Finally, check for cracks, especially under doors or vents, and fill them in – even the smallest holes can allow rats and mice to squeeze through.
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