Rats hate the smell of this natural ingredient - and it's a cheap way to keep them away

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.

However, these unwelcome guests are not only unpleasant to look at but can also carry diseases and cause health problems. They can also be incredibly destructive when they're in your home, gnawing through walls, wiring, cupboards, and insulation.

Once they've made themselves at home, they can be really tough to evict without professional help - but there are certain things that can deter them. An expert at HomeServe has shared their top tips on preventing mice and rats from entering your home, The Mirror reports.

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They suggested: "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.

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 has been hailed as a natural ant repellent that's safe for both children and pets.

A cleaner, who has noticed her clients battling with ant invasions, also swears by talcum powder. She shared: "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."

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