Brits are being urged to be on the lookout for rats and mice invading their homes this month with January being prime rodent season.
The experts at Online-Bedrooms.co.uk are offering advice on how to deter pesky rodents from appearing over the next couple of months.
The appearance of rats and mice tends to be at its highest in January as the four-legged rodents are often looking to seek shelter from the cold winter weather.
Leaving them to fester in homes can result in chewed electrical wires, property damage and an increased chance of catching any diseases they carry.
Other signs of rats in the home include grease marks, rat droppings and foul smells.
Peppermint oil, cinnamon oil and garlic cloves can prevent their presence without causing the pests any harm.
Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk, said: “The last thing anybody wants to do is wake up in the morning and spot a long-tailed rat scurrying across the floor.
“January and early February is when prime rodent season is in full effect, which is why we wanted to offer eight effective, yet harm-free ways to prevent their presence.
“Staple household items like garlic and peppermint are some of the ways to prevent the four-legged rodents.
“Sealing entry points and keeping all sugary items tightly sealed is also effective in deterring them from entering the home.”
Here’s how to prevent rats and mice from entering the house:
- Peppermint oil
Rats and mice hate the smell of fresh peppermint. Dab peppermint oil on a cotton pad and wipe it across any entry points from doors to windows to deter them from entering.
- Cinnamon oil
Cinnamon is another scent that the rodents can stand to be around. Use the same method with the cotton pad or spray the fragrance around any possible entry points.
- Sealing entry points
A small hole in the wall can become much greater very quickly if a rodent is lurking nearby. It’s advised to seal them up with steel wool to prevent them from climbing through.
- Garlic
The strong garlic smell will help to repel rats and mice. It’s worth placing garlic cloves around entryways if you’re worried about an infestation.
- Clearing any crumbs
Keep on top of tying up bin bags and hoovering the floors to prevent the rodents from going after food crumbs. The more crumbs, the more likely they are to appear.
- Keep all sugary items sealed
Rats love sugary foods and will be instantly attracted to any sweet items lying around the house. Make sure sugar pots are firmly sealed and no sugary food is left to fester.
- Call in the professionals
If you’re noticing signs of an infestation it’s worth calling in the professionals to deal with the problem to safely remove the rodents from the home.
