Four pure smells that maintain rats and mice away from your property for good

Experts believe the rise in rodent populations is due to a combination of factors, including the mild UK climate, increased food waste in urban areas, and disruptions to natural habitats caused by urban sprawl

Brits are grappling with an escalating rat and mice infestation crisis that is affecting homes, businesses, and rural areas alike. From the streets of London to the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, residents are increasingly reporting sightings of rodents, leading to widespread concern among the public and pest control experts.

Experts believe the rise in rodent populations is due to a combination of factors, including the mild UK climate, increased food waste in urban areas, and disruptions to natural habitats caused by urban sprawl. These rodents possess an incredibly keen sense of smell, which they rely on heavily due to their poor eyesight.

A simple solution to keep these pests at bay could be using potent smells to “overwhelm” their senses. Pest control gurus from Eliminated LTD have revealed several scents that rats and mice despise, ensuring they steer clear of your home. So, when you’re next shopping for home fragrances, bear these aromas in mind.

Lavender

The experts claim that mice and rats “hate the smell of lavender”. Therefore, using a lavender-scented spray, essential oils, or even cultivating a lavender plant could help deter them, reports the Express.

Alternatively, you could whip up your own concoction by mixing a quarter to half a cup of flowers with one-quarter cup of water in a spray bottle to repel mice from your home. However, this will need to be refreshed monthly.

Lavender’s essential oil is rich in compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, known for their soothing effects on humans. Critter Stop also recommends placing sachets of dried lavender in areas where mice are prone to enter.

Citrus

Another scent that rats and mice find repugnant is citrus oil, abundant in limonene, found in the peels of lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.

Limonene, found in food flavourings, perfumes, medicines, and cleaning products, is also a potent deterrent for rats and mice, according to experts. Citrus oils like lemon and orange are “very effective at keeping rats and mice away” from areas or objects.

However, due to the potency of citrus oils, it’s advised to dilute them with water before use.

Peppermint

Peppermint is another powerful scent that can drive rodents away. It contains menthol, which irritates the nasal cavities of mice and rats, causing disorientation.

Experts say that when mice encounter the smell of peppermint, they “associate it with danger and fear”, leading them to “avoid areas” where it’s present or try to “stay away from it” as much as possible. Peppermint is also a common ingredient in homemade rodent repellents.

Simply add a few drops to cotton balls and place them in areas where mice tend to hide.

Chilli powder

For a budget-friendly rodent deterrent, consider chilli powder, readily available in most supermarkets. Experts say: “This is an effective home remedy for getting rid of mice because it smells terrible to them and they won’t stay around long enough for their sense of smell to become accustomed to it.”

For this technique to work, you’ll need approximately two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water. Add this to your spray bottle or hand sanitiser container when concocting a solution.

You can also scatter chilli powder in areas where you suspect mice may be lurking.

Alastair Mayne, Chief Operating Officer at Garolla has offered his key tips on how to deter them in the safest way possible:

• Seek out entry points: If rats and pests are getting into your property, one of the first things you should do is to find the source of the entry, and seal it tightly, so that they cannot re-enter. You can do this with mesh, screens, or sealant. It’s also important to keep an eye on vents, or cracks under doors, as most pests, especially rats and mice, are small enough to fit in the tiniest of spaces.

• Declutter your space: Clutter is the perfect home for a rat, especially in a garage where you might be keeping furniture, boxes, or debris. By getting rid of clutter in your home or garage, you’re eliminating potential nests for rats, meaning there is less place for them to hide or set up home.

• Clean regularly: Not only important for house hygiene, but cleaning your property regularly ensures that rats and pests won’t see it as a desirable home. Things like spills, rubbish, or odours can attract rats. Even things you might not immediately think of as being an issue, like not cleaning your pets’ food and water bowls every day, can lure pests into your home. By taking the rubbish out and securing it safely in a bin, cleaning any spillages, and wiping down surfaces, you’re creating a clean environment that has little attraction for pests.

• Be wary of water: Rats love water and are attracted to damp, dark places, like basements or garages. Like all creatures, they also require drinking sources, and have been known to look for leaky pipes, birdbaths, and drains. If your property has any leaky drainpipes, consider getting them fixed as soon as possible, to avoid rats infiltrating the piping.

• Use natural repellents: If you’re wanting an easy way to discourage pests from your home, you can use different essential oils or ingredients to deter them. For example, rats hate the smell of peppermint oil, vinegar, and garlic. Scattering black pepper around entry points to your property will also irritate their noses and stop them from entering. This way, you’re not hurting the pests invading your property, but you are repelling them so strongly that they’re unlikely to return.

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