'I tried this five minute job to keep rats and mice out of my home - and it worked'

Discover expert Jamie Jones' 5-minute hacks to keep mice and rats away from your home

Nothing is more unsettling than spotting a rat or mouse darting about your house but there are a few straightforward measures you can take to keep them out of your home.

As the weather turns chillier, rodents are more likely to invade your property in search of warmth and food. Resorting to toxic pellets or harsh traps is not an ideal solution, particularly if you have pets or children. Jamie Jones, a property and garden specialist at Open Space Concepts, shares these 5-minute tasks that could help prevent a rat or mouse infestation.

Firstly, start in the garden. Rodents will be drawn to any available food available in your garden, before eventually finding their way into your house. "Outdoor spaces need to be protected from rodents and other pests, as they can negatively affect your lawn and any crops. "Adding sturdy fencing and chicken wire will deter rodents from even entering your garden," advises Jamie. "It's also a good idea to add netting or a chicken wire fence around any pergolas or outdoor seating."

To naturally keep rats at bay from your garden, consider planting potent flowers and herbs; their strong scents are a deterrent due to rodents' highly sensitive noses. Jamie explains: "Adding netting around any fruit trees or vegetable crops can help protect them from animals. Planting repellent plants, such as lavender, mint, and rosemary, will also help to deter rodents and other pests."

It's well-known that rodents invade homes in search of sustenance for the winter, lingering where they can consistently find food. It's crucial to avoid leaving food out on worktops, allowing rubbish bags to sit too long, and to sweep up any crumbs daily. Jamie advised: "If you keep food in drawers and cupboards, make sure that any bags of produce, such as rice and potatoes, are sealed in an airtight container. Furthermore, make sure other foods, such as bread and cheese, are securely stored and not left out for rodents to get at."

Mice can squeeze through spaces as small as a pencil, while rats need only a gap the size of a two-pence coin, so it's vital to seal any small openings they might use to enter. Jamie advised: "The first step you should do is to inspect both your home and any garden rooms you may have for gaps and holes; rodents and insects can creep through the tiniest of crevices. This may involve needing to reseal around windows, adding rubber seals to exterior doors, and in some cases plastering up gaps in walls."

Be extra vigilant about potential entry points like under-door gaps or window frame crevices, not forgetting to check roof vents, gutters, and chimneys, since rodents often sneak into attics via these channels. Given their acute sense of smell, rodents find certain odours overwhelming, so utilising essential oils or growing specific houseplants could significantly reduce their presence. Potent scents serve dual purposes: they mask food smells and might spook rodents by presenting an unknown scent as a threat.

Jamie pointed out: "Essential oils, including peppermint oil and lemon oil, and plants such as lavender and bay leaves will help to deter rodents. Aroma diffusers and essential oils are affordable and have plenty of added benefits aside from keeping rodents away." Remember, certain oils and plants could pose risks to pets, so always research thoroughly before introducing new elements into a pet-inhabited home.

In the event that rodent sightings become more frequent, it's wise to contact professional pest controllers for guidance, since this may signal a larger infestation issue. Jamie stated: "Even with all these tips and tricks, pests may remain and still be successful in gaining access to your home. At this point, it is likely that you'll need to bring in the professionals. Pest exterminators may be able to find issues you couldn't and are likely to have more specialist equipment."