The likelihood of encountering rats and mice around your home increases significantly in the warmer weather.
As the warmer months approach, the likelihood of encountering rats and mice near your home rises considerably. Spring was the start of a crucial breeding period for these rodents, leaving them hungry, seeking refuge and reproducing at an alarming rate — making our homes ideal nesting spots.
Not preparing for this and overlooking the early indicators can quickly result in a full-scale rodent infestation across your property. Apart from the potentially significant expense of pest control, there’s also the genuine threat of contracting diseases.
Thankfully, there may be a straightforward and affordable solution to ward them off, reports the Express.
Glen Peskett, DIY specialist from Saxton Blades, proposes that one everyday kitchen ingredient can repel rats from your property 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.”
The solution is remarkably budget-friendly, with a four-pack available for just 87p at Asda, working out at roughly 22p per bulb.
How to use garlic to keep rats and mice away
Place garlic cloves at entry points throughout your property where rodents are most likely to enter.
These creatures are typically drawn to locations such as basements, garages, kitchens and lofts, so make sure you position them close to any gaps and doorways around the exterior of your home.
Garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar can likewise be extremely effective in deterring unwanted pests from entering your property.
Having said that, repellents on their own aren’t the complete answer. Tackling other problems, such as decluttering, can remove potential hiding places that rats might use to build their nests.
Food waste is another significant draw for rats, so ensure your bins are tightly closed, dispose of rubbish regularly, and clean up any spills immediately.
Lastly, inspect your property carefully for any openings, especially beneath doors or around vents, and seal them up – even the tiniest of holes can provide rats and mice with enough space to get through.
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