If you've ever had a rat problem in your home, you'll know how frustrating it can be, and how you'll do almost anything to get rid of them. As tempting as it may be, you likely won't want to put traps down for rats and mice, as many of them are cruel. But, the sneaky visitors are unpleasant to look at, can carry diseases, and can also cause health problems. They can also be really destructive when they're in your home , chewing through walls, wiring, cupboards, and insulation. Once they're in your home, they can be really tough to banish without professional help - but there are certain things that can deter them. Diner flabbergasted by £32 charge for 'most expensive scrambled egg on toast' Rats and mice can become a serious problem if they enter your home ( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) But an expert at HomeServe has shared their top tips on preventing mice and rats from entering your home. They said: "Try leaving cotton wool balls with eight to 10 drops of peppermint essential
Oil in the corner of rooms or near suspected entry points (you'll need to refresh them every couple of days or so)." Rats and mice have a highly tuned sense of smell, and therefore, the peppermint will be "overwhelming" and "unpleasant." Peppermint oil can be found online, in health and beauty stores, and in pharmacies. Peppermint essential oil costs just £2.23 from
Amazon. Peppermint essential oil really helps banish rodents ( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Mrs Hinch fans have also shared that there's a natural £1 trick to get rid of ants from your home this summer, as they can also become pesky if left to their own devices. Talcum powder is a natural ant repellent, and it's safe for kids and pets. A cleaner admitted that some of her clients struggle with ants too, recommending talcum powder also. She said: "I'm a cleaner and a lot of my clients struggle with ants in their homes at this time of the year. "I always suggest using talcum powder inside and outside at the point they are coming in through and ants will never enter your home as they despise it. "I've stopped them in my home and been ant-free for two years now. It's so cheap, around £1 from most stores." Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know in the comments. Read More Americans visiting
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