'If a pen can fit in the gap, a rat probably can too' — pest expert urges homeowners to take these preventative steps now
"It only takes a gap the width of a biro (just over 12mm) for a rat to squeeze through." says John Stewart, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, "and once inside, they can cause extensive damage by chewing through wiring, pipes and insulation, leading to fire risks, flooding and long-term structural issues."
Here's how he recommends homeowners protect themselves from rodents this summer.
A rat's journey inside your home will often start in small structural faults, so Stewart recommends you inspect the exterior of your property for even the smallest of entry points.
External steps
"Start with the external steps," Stewart advises. "Poorly maintained pointing around the front or rear steps often allows rats to access the subfloor or cavity walls, creating a pathway into lofts and roof spaces."
Damaged airbricks
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
But while poorly maintained steps are easily fixed, there are some gaps in your home which are there by design. "Damaged airbricks and missing weephole covers are another common weakness," says Stewart. "These gaps allow rats to slip into walls and under floors with ease."
Repairing these faults can often be quick and easy, but it's important to do it before rats gain access. Once they're in, evicting them is much more of an ordeal.
This expanding foam barrier expands to fill gaps and cracks, which can be exploited by rats and mice to gain access to your home. It's pesticide-free and can be trimmed back to leave a neat finish.
Garages are so convenient because they provide an ideal space that's not fully indoors, and not fully outside. But they can also offer an abundance of hiding spaces for pests such as mice, rats and spiders to make a home.
If a door isn't properly sealed, rats can wriggle underneath or around the sides," says Stewart. "Adding bristle strips or seal kits is a simple way to block them out."
This includes the area around pipes and wiring, which Stewart recommends sealing with a rodent-proof filler.
Ultimately, prevention is much better than having to find a cure for your rat problem. Not only is it a lot more humane, saving you from potentially having to kill these pests, but it will also save your home from the contamination and germs that can come from outdoor creatures making themselves at home in your space.
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Tom's Guide
'If a pen can fit in the gap, a rat probably can too' — pest expert urges homeowners to take these preventative steps now
When the summer months roll around, rats are at their happiest. There's an abundance of food and plenty of shelter available, both inside and out. But while you may think you've done enough to keep rats away from your home, experts warn that they have an abundance of tricks up their sleeve to gain access to your home, and all its creature comforts. "It only takes a gap the width of a biro (just over 12mm) for a rat to squeeze through." says John Stewart, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, "and once inside, they can cause extensive damage by chewing through wiring, pipes and insulation, leading to fire risks, flooding and long-term structural issues." Here's how he recommends homeowners protect themselves from rodents this summer. A rat's journey inside your home will often start in small structural faults, so Stewart recommends you inspect the exterior of your property for even the smallest of entry points. External steps "Start with the external steps," Stewart advises. "Poorly maintained pointing around the front or rear steps often allows rats to access the subfloor or cavity walls, creating a pathway into lofts and roof spaces." Damaged airbricks Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. But while poorly maintained steps are easily fixed, there are some gaps in your home which are there by design. "Damaged airbricks and missing weephole covers are another common weakness," says Stewart. "These gaps allow rats to slip into walls and under floors with ease." Repairing these faults can often be quick and easy, but it's important to do it before rats gain access. Once they're in, evicting them is much more of an ordeal. This expanding foam barrier expands to fill gaps and cracks, which can be exploited by rats and mice to gain access to your home. It's pesticide-free and can be trimmed back to leave a neat finish. Garages are so convenient because they provide an ideal space that's not fully indoors, and not fully outside. But they can also offer an abundance of hiding spaces for pests such as mice, rats and spiders to make a home. If a door isn't properly sealed, rats can wriggle underneath or around the sides," says Stewart. "Adding bristle strips or seal kits is a simple way to block them out." This includes the area around pipes and wiring, which Stewart recommends sealing with a rodent-proof filler. Ultimately, prevention is much better than having to find a cure for your rat problem. Not only is it a lot more humane, saving you from potentially having to kill these pests, but it will also save your home from the contamination and germs that can come from outdoor creatures making themselves at home in your space. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Never lose a sock again — this expert-approved laundry hack costs nothing and keeps them all in one place
Once you've put your socks in the washing machine, there's a good chance you'll never see one of them again. The missing sock conundrum is a mystery as old as time. Where do they go? While experts have yet to solve that age-old dilemma, they do have advice on how to save your socks from the perilous journey from your laundry basket to your dryer. And better yet, this hack is totally free. According to Gail Downie, head of garment technology at M&S, the solution is to put all your socks inside a pillowcase before putting them through the wash. And it's such a simple solution, I'm shocked I never thought of it sooner. By placing your dirty socks in a pillowcase before putting them through the wash, they'll stand a much better chance of making it out as a pair. 'Washing your socks and tights in a mesh wash bag or pillowcase keeps them together," says Downie. If you've not got a spare pillowcase, or you want a bag with a zip closure, this three-piece set of mesh laundry bags will also do a great job of keeping your delicates all in one place. Because socks are delicate, they can also become easily damaged when you put them through the machine with more abrasive items, such as bras with underwires, or pants with zippers. I always find the odd sock stuck in my washing machine seal when I clean it, and it's usually sodden and a little stinky. So keeping them all in one place, will ensure they get the clean they need, without going missing or getting wedged in inconvenient locations. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It's not just socks that you can wash in a pillowcase. "Always separate more delicate pieces like satin and silk dresses from heavy clothing such as jeans," says Downie. "Washing them in a mesh bag or pillowcase protects them." "You can also use this trick for machine washable shoes." That could include sneakers or canvas shoes, but Downie warns "it's always best to wash footwear separately so that any dirt doesn't transfer." Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
7 days ago
- Tom's Guide
5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials that every student needs
Getting ready for college is an exciting time, there's lots to look forward to, from meeting new friends, to communal living and gaining more independence. But, whether you're a freshman, upperclassman, or anxious parent, the experience will be smoother if you have these 5 kitchen essentials to hand. What's more, IKEA is a great place to shop for all those kitchen dorm room essentials, as they won't take a chunk out of a student budget. So, whether you're the one off to college or a parent, here are my top 5 IKEA kitchen dorm room essentials I recommend. Keep your perishable food chilled in this mini TILLREDA refrigerator. It's part of IKEA's range of kitchen appliances and sits alongside the TILLREDA portable induction cooktop I tested earlier this year. This free-standing version, in white, has a 1.54 cubic feet capacity and measures 18 5/8 (W) x 17 3/4 (D) x 19 3/8 (H) inches. However, before you buy, check if your college has any restrictions regarding electrical equipment. This set comprises one single pan and two pans with glass lids. The stainless steel set is perfect for cooking up pasta, sauces, or for simply boiling an egg! They are even suitable to use on an induction cooktop. So, save on takeouts and cook your own fresh and tasty homemade dinners. Add a splash of color to your dining with this pretty 16-piece set of flatware, and impress your new-found friends when you entertain. But you'll have to be quick, as it's a limited edition. Keep your food fresh with the help of this set of five storage containers. The transparent storage is made of glass with multi-colored lids. They are stackable, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. The set comprises two larger containers and three smaller pots. This 2-piece knife set includes a 10 5/8-inch cook's knife, and a 7-inch paring knife. Each has a stainless steel blade and a polyproylene handle, and you'll have to remember to handwash them as they are not dishwasher safe. One reviewer says the knife set is ideal for beginners, while another says the blades are super sharp. Verified students can also make a 15% one-time saving before September 30, 2025. While IKEA is also offering a 10% discount off 'College Essentials' when 10 or more items are bought in one purchase. (Please refer to IKEA for the full terms and conditions). Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
