AS temperatures drop, rodents begin searching for food and warmth and experts are warning that “rat season” is about to begin.
But homeowners are turning to a cheap pantry staple to help keep unwanted visitors away.
Instead of reaching for harsh chemicals or expensive repellents, many are using vinegar, a natural and non-toxic way to deter mice from homes, garages, and gardens.
Priced at just 35p a bottle in Tesco, it’s one of the most affordable pest control options available.
Mice rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate and locate food. Vinegar’s strong, acidic scent interferes with these scent trails, making treated areas far less appealing.
While it doesn’t kill or trap rodents, it can discourage them from settling in, supporting broader prevention measures.
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Where to apply it
When applied consistently in areas where mice are known to travel, such as baseboards, under sinks, behind appliances, and along wall edges, vinegar creates a scent barrier that makes rodents think twice before moving in.
Some homeowners also use it outdoors around sheds, porches, and foundation cracks to stop mice before they make it inside.
Safer option
The method has become popular with families who want safer, eco-friendly pest solutions, especially in homes with pets or children.
Vinegar doesn’t contain toxic chemicals, and it doubles as a cleaner, disinfecting surfaces while removing crumbs and bacteria that attract pests.
For an even stronger deterrent, it can be combined with essential oils such as peppermint or clove.
The blend creates a layered scent barrier that both humans and pets can tolerate but mice avoid.
Experts say now is the best time to take action, as early autumn marks the end of the breeding season, when rodents become most active in their search for food and shelter.
They are known to raid bins, porches, and bird tables during the colder months and are often spotted in daylight when competing for resources.
While vinegar alone may not solve a large infestation, it can play a vital role in keeping homes cleaner, fresher, and less inviting to pests.
With rat season fast approaching, this simple household condiment could be the cheapest line of defense against unwelcome winter guests.
Meanwhile, a control expert has revealed another simple way to keep rodents away from homes and gardens and all it takes is a quick shake and sprinkle.
More humanely ways to rid of rats
Many local councils offer pest control services, although you might have to pay a fee for them.
If you’d rather tackle the problem yourself, there are plenty of ways to catch or remove rats from your home.
Traditional methods like traps and poison can be effective, but they’re often cruel and inhumane, sometimes leading to a slow and painful death for the animal.
Rat poison can also pose serious risks to humans and pets, so it’s important to handle it with extreme caution.
Fortunately, there are now kinder and safer alternatives available. HomeServe has highlighted several humane ways to deal with a rat problem, including the following:
- Humane cage traps – humane cages trap the rodents but do not kill them so they can be released elsewhere afterwards.
- Electromagnetic and ultrasonic devices – these devices use sound to ward off rodents and are simply plugged into the wall.
- Outdoor repellers – these have a motion detector which, when triggered, emits a powerful burst of ultrasound, to harmlessly scare the rodents away
- Family pets – having larger pets around such as cats and dogs is also a good way to deter the pests.
Tips for keeping pests from your garden
- Plant companion plants such as peppermint to repel rats.
- Place Garden Netting Pest Barrier, over your flowerbeds.
- Fill open-top containers with beer and place in soil to repel slugs.
- Spray plants with Neem Oil, to repel ants, flies, and spiders.
- Dust your flowerbeds with Diatomaceous Earth.
- Mix 1 tablespoon dish soap, 10 drops peppermint oil, and 4 cups water and spray on flowerbeds.
- Place eggshells around your plants to protect from slugs and snails.
