The 3p kitchen item that can repel rats and mice

As outdoor temperatures drop, rats and mice seek warmth, shelter, and easy access to food, making our homes prime targets for infestation during the colder autumn and winter months.

James Copley, Director of Copley Pest Solutions , advises households to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of infestations, warning that November was their busiest month for rodent callouts last year, accounting for more than 1 in 10 of the 2,412 cases they attended.

The pest control expert emphasises that simple preventative steps can make a real difference, including making use of common kitchen ingredients.

“Rats and mice have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find food, identify predators and prey and navigate their environment."

"To avoid infestations, we can use this to our advantage by using ingredients that may already be in your cupboard to naturally deter rats and mice."

Peppermint tea bags

"Rodents dislike the smell of peppermint as the strong scent overwhelms and irritates their nasal passages and olfactory (smell) nerves.

"Try placing dry peppermint tea bags in cupboards, behind kitchen appliances, near bins and entry points to your home. You can buy a 40-pack of peppermint teabags for £1.19 from Aldi, which works out at just 3p per tea bag.

“For a stronger method, you can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them in these areas. Peppermint oil is more expensive than teabags, but can currently be bought for £4.99 from Superdrug.

"The peppermint scent from the tea bags and cotton balls lasts a few weeks and can also leave your kitchen smelling fresh, making this natural repellent a win-win.”

Chilli powder

"Rats and mice do not like spicy scents, with capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot, irritating their respiratory systems.

"A light sprinkle of chilli powder or cayenne pepper around entry points, such as air bricks, under sheds and pipe entries creates an invisible barrier they won't cross."

However, the expert warns to be mindful of this ingredient if you have pets or children, as they will also find it irritating, so keep it out of reach or consider using the other ingredients in this list.

White vinegar

"Regular white vinegar is a cheap and effective natural deterrent against rodents, and costs as little as 35p a bottle from supermarkets like Aldi. Its sharp, acidic scent can repel rodents and can easily be reapplied every few days.

“You can soak cotton wool balls in white vinegar to place around bins, near skirting boards and entry points to deter rats.

“A white vinegar solution is another good option, where you can mix equal parts vinegar and water to spray in these areas and on kitchen surfaces.”

Whole cloves

“Rodents dislike the strong-smelling compound eugenol found in cloves. It can disrupt their scent trails and nesting instincts, making this ingredient a potentially effective deterrent.

“You can scatter a handful of whole cloves around potential entry points and small gaps, or similarly, you can use cotton balls soaked in clove oil, for a stronger and longer-lasting scent.”

The expert advises regularly replacing the cloves or cotton balls as the scent will fade over time.

Bay leaves

“Bay leaves are another household ingredient that smells particularly offensive to rodents and can actually be poisonous for them if ingested in large quantities.

"A simple way to use bay leaves to deter rats and mice is to place the leaves in cupboards or enclosed spaces, or you can make a bay leaf spray by infusing the leaves in water, which can be sprayed on outside areas.

"For best results, replace the leaves and respray the outside areas regularly, as the scent will wear off."

James Copley, Director of Copley Pest Solutions, adds:

“Prevention is the most effective way of avoiding infestations, especially when natural repellents are used, as this approach causes little to no harm.

“These simple and cheap kitchen ingredients can help deter rodents this autumn and winter. Many of these products may already be in your kitchen cupboard or can easily be purchased in your nearest supermarket.

“Sealing entry points, maintaining clean surfaces, and proper food storage combined with these natural repellents give you the best chance of keeping your home rodent-free.”