As the weather starts to get a little brighter, rodents will be looking for a new place to nest – and unfortunately, that could be your home.
The weather is beginning to brighten up, but sadly for UK homeowners, it means just one thing. Spring is the prime breeding season for rats and mice – they’re hungry and searching for shelter, and they know that our homes provide the ideal nesting spots.
Once you’re dealing with an infestation, it can be a real nightmare to get rid of – not to mention costly. This is why it’s vital to stop this before it happens. And to discover the most effective way to do this, I spoke to several experts, and they all offered the same recommendation.
When considering how to tackle pests, many would likely suggest putting out foods or using scents that they dislike, such as peppermint and garlic.
And while this did feature in the experts’ guidance, there was another measure that was far more popular, and it’s safer and simpler too.
Daniel Steward, Managing Director at Shield Pest Control, explained that eliminating any shelter points is absolutely essential. He said: “Rodents often seek out sheltered areas to nest, so removing potential hiding spots is an important step. Trim back hedges and shrubs and keep grass short and well-maintained, as rodents like to hide in dense greenery where they can go unseen.
“Piles of materials can also create ideal nesting sites, so store items in sheds or sealed containers where possible. It’s also a good idea to use a rodent-proof compost bin and ensure all bins remain fully closed, preventing rodents from nesting inside where food waste is easily available.”
This was echoed by Laurence Barnard, Country Business Manager at BASF Pest Control Solutions, who warned: “Rats are highly adaptable and opportunistic creatures, often seeking shelter close to food and water sources. In gardens, they commonly nest in dense vegetation like bushes and shrubs, sheds, compost heaps, or beneath decking.”
He says that making your garden ‘less appealing’ is crucial, which involves keeping any vegetation well-trimmed, sealing gaps under decking, and ensuring sheds are properly secured, reports the Express.
It might seem obvious, but ensuring there’s no food left out in the garden or in your home is also essential. Eric Bramlett, real estate broker and owner of Bramlett Partners, says that this is ‘one of the most effective ways’ to keep them at bay.
He said: “Rodents are usually drawn to easy food sources and sheltered spaces, so simple maintenance around the home can make a big difference.
“Keeping rubbish bins tightly sealed, clearing fallen fruit from gardens, and storing pet food indoors can significantly reduce what attracts rodents to a property. Regularly trimming back dense plants or hedges near the home also removes places where rodents may hide.”
Mice can squeeze through the smallest of gaps, so if you notice any that haven’t been sealed up, blocking them off with steel wool can help to stop them from getting in.
If you’ve tidied up your garden and sealed any obvious entry points but you’re still worried about seeing rats and mice, there are other steps you can take.
Dylan Stringer-Moth, Gardening Expert at One Click Plants, says that peppermint oil is a safe and straightforward deterrent. He explained: “Peppermint oil is actually one of the best natural remedies out there for keeping rodents away as they rely heavily on their sense of smell. The strong scent of peppermint can be overwhelming on their receptors and stops them wanting to explore or nest there.
“A simple and budget-friendly way to use peppermint oil is to soak cotton balls in the oil and place them near entry points of the home or around the garden, in the shed and so on. Anywhere rats or mice may travel. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops with water and use a spray bottle to target key areas around the home, and in the shed or by the bins in the garden.”
Plants can also play a vital role in deterring pests. Dylan continued: “There are plants out there that rodents, and many other pests, do find unpleasant. These are plants that have strong natural aromas, such as mint, rosemary, sage and lavender. Not only can they look lovely in your garden, but they will make the area less attractive to nesting or feeding.
“Consider planting them around patios, sheds, as garden borders or near compost areas to create a natural barrier.”
