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Tom's Guide
09-08-2025
- General
- 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.
North Wales Live
31-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Amazon shoppers praise £13 gadget as 'life saver' for keeping wasps away
One of the finest aspects of the summer months is spending time in the open air, particularly savouring a delightful outdoor meal beneath the sun's rays. Nevertheless, we've all encountered the challenge of attempting to sit and relish your food whilst constantly having to bat away, flee from or avoid wasps who have set their sights on your dish. Whilst they're equally as bothersome as flies, the additional threat of their stings (particularly for those with allergies) can transform your barbecue from peaceful to panic-inducing. That's precisely why Amazon customers have been hailing this £13 item as a 'life saver' for keeping them away. The Green Protect Wasp and Flying Insect Trap is simple to operate and functions by drawing wasps and flies away from your eating space to prevent them from spoiling your meal. It's also been specially developed so that it doesn't entice bees, meaning you needn't fret about accidentally harming any bumble bees or worker bees. Sophie Thorogood, a spokesperson at Pest-Stop, shared some guidance on utilising the trap, explaining: "To keep wasps away from your BBQ, position a few traps around the edges of your garden or fence line. "These non-toxic traps lure wasps away from your guests, patio area and food and are a great first port of call. The bait lasts for up to six weeks and refills are available for ongoing protection." The Green Protect Wasp and Flying Insect Trap is straightforward to set up and should be positioned in a shaded area where wasps are frequently spotted. Simply place it on any flat surface, ideally where there's air circulation but away from strong winds, and pour 250ml of the liquid attractant into the trap, reports the Mirror. The solution is non-toxic, and after three weeks you can dispose of the liquid (and insects) inside, before refilling it with the remaining 250ml of the attractant liquid, giving you six weeks in total of wasp and fly repelling. You can also buy refills of the liquid for £7, making it a cost effective way to keep them at bay long term. For more Welsh homes, garden and interiors content, Sign up to our newsletter here If you'd prefer a solution which doesn't harm or kill the wasps but simply deters them from entering your garden, there are a couple of other ideas. Hanging a decoy wasp nest like this Waspinator one, which comes in a two pack for £9.99 from B&Q, that can be enough to keep them from setting up camp in your garden. They require no cleaning or maintenance, and can be simply hung up in whatever area you want to keep wasps away from – they even work when camping or enjoying time at your caravan. Rather than killing off the wasps, they simply change their behaviour and stop them from entering an area they think is already another wasp's territory. Particular fragrances also deter wasps and prevent them from turning up in your garden, with mint being one aroma that keeps them away. So you might consider planting some mint varieties, such as these Large Mentha Mint Plants which are currently available for £9.89 reduced from £10.99 from website Carbeth Plant, to discourage wasps from visiting – plus give you some fresh mint ready for cooking or your summer Pimms. Meanwhile the Green Protect Wasp and Flying Insect Trap has received acclaim from Amazon customers for how well it works, with one commenting: "Honestly a life saver when having a bbq, kept the wasps at bay which is great for those in my family with allergies to their sting." Another buyer concurred, saying: "We have been using this for about 3 weeks, and the number of flies and wasps in our home has reduced noticeably. The bottle is filling with wasps and the flies are just staying away. I would recommend and will buy more." Other customers had less remarkable outcomes, with one buyer noting: "Placed it in several places near to a wasp nest, but it did not catch even one wasp." A further buyer commented: "Simple to setup and place, it doesn't stink at first however after a week with dead insects it can smell. I'd recommend in an elevated position indoors to avoid smell."
Daily Mirror
23-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
‘Life saver' £13 hack keeps wasps away from your outdoor dining area and BBQs
Trying to keep wasps and flies away from your food when eating outdoors can be a nightmare, which is why this clever £13 hack has been called a 'life saver' during a BBQ One of the best parts about the summer season is spending time outdoors, and particularly enjoying a nice al fresco meal in the sunshine. However, we've all experienced the struggle of trying to sit and enjoy your food and having to constantly swat, run or dodge wasps who have their eyes on your meal. Although they're just as irritating as flies, the added danger of their stings (especially for those who are allergic) can mean that your barbecue ends up more stressful than serene. That's why Amazon shoppers have been praising this £13 product as a 'life saver' for keeping them at bay. The Green Protect Wasp & Flying Insect Trap is easy to use and works by luring away wasps and flies from your dining area to stop them from ruining your meal. It's also been carefully formulated so that it doesn't attract bees, so you don't need to worry about inadvertently killing off any bumble bees or worker bees. Sophie Thorogood, a representative at Pest-Stop, offered some advice on using the trap, saying: 'To keep wasps away from your BBQ, position a few traps around the edges of your garden or fence line. These non-toxic traps lure wasps away from your guests, patio area and food and are a great first port of call. The bait lasts for up to six weeks and refills are available for ongoing protection.' The Green Protect Wasp & Flying Insect Trap is easy to install and is best placed somewhere shady in an area where you typically see the most wasps flying around. Simply place it on any flat surface, ideally where there's air circulation but away from strong winds, and pour 250ml of the liquid attractant into the trap. The solution is non-toxic, and after three weeks you can dispose of the liquid (and insects) inside, before refilling it with the remaining 250ml of the attractant liquid, giving you six weeks in total of wasp and fly repelling. You can also buy refills of the liquid for £7, making it a cost effective way to keep them at bay long term. If you'd prefer a solution which doesn't harm or kill the wasps but simply deters them from entering your garden, there are a couple of other ideas. Hanging a decoy wasp nest like this Waspinator one (which comes in a two pack for £9.99) can be enough to keep them from setting up camp in your garden. They require no cleaning or maintenance, and can be simply hung up in whatever area you want to keep wasps away from – they even work when camping or caravanning. Rather than killing off the wasps, they simply change their behaviour and stop them from entering an area they think is already another wasp's territory. Certain scents also put off wasps and stop them from arriving in your garden, with mint being one smell that keeps them at bay. Therefore you could try planting some mint plants, like these Large Mentha Mint Plants which are now on sale for £9.89 down from £10.99, to encourage wasps to stay away – not to mention give you some ready-to-use mint for cooking or your summer Pimms. However the Green Protect Wasp & Flying Insect Trap has been praised by Amazon shoppers for its effectiveness, with one saying: 'Honestly a life saver when having a bbq, kept the wasps at bay which is great for those in my family with allergies to their sting.' Another agreed: 'We have been using this for about 3 weeks, and the number of flies and wasps in our home has reduced noticeably. The bottle is filling with wasps and the flies are just staying away. I would recommend and will buy more.' Others had less impressive results, with one shopper writing: 'Placed it in several places near to a wasp nest, but it did not catch even one wasp.' Yet another added: 'Simple to setup and place, it doesn't stink at first however after a week with dead insects it can smell. I'd recommend in an elevated position indoors to avoid smell.'
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Stop flies invading your home if you avoid expert's 1 common houseplant mistake
Small flies can seem to appear out of nowhere and are often mistaken for harmless gnats, but they can be a sign of a larger, unseen issue. The arrival of warmer weather has many Brits opening their windows to welcome the fresh air, only to be greeted by an unexpected influx of indoor pests. And as summer draws green-fingered individuals to their beloved houseplants, few realise that these botanical beauties could be a "breeding ground" for flies. An infestation can seemingly spring up out of the blue, with tiny flies buzzing around living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. These nuisances, often confused with innocuous gnats, flourish in conditions that are frequently, albeit unwittingly, fostered within our homes. As we nurture our houseplants, the increased attention and watering may inadvertently lay the groundwork for another issue altogether. Sophie Thorogood, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, sheds light on why watering houseplants is a task that should be approached with caution. "Damp soil can act as both a breeding ground and a source of moisture for fungus gnats - a common type of small indoor fly," she pointed out, reports the Express. Excessive watering is a common blunder among plant enthusiasts, creating the perfect breeding ground for flies to proliferate unseen. "To prevent this, avoid overwatering your houseplants and ensure the soil dries out between waterings," Sophie recommended. "It's also important to avoid any standing water in plant trays." Failing to heed such advice can turn even the most spotless abode into a buzzing hub of fly activity, leaving homeowners to contend with a swarm before they know it. Sophie recommended a proactive approach to dealing with flies, advising: "placing yellow sticky traps near plants can help catch any flies that are already present and will prevent them from laying new eggs". She also highlighted the importance of eliminating moist conditions, ensuring a pleasant summer with both attractive houseplants and a fly-free environment.
Scotsman
30-05-2025
- Scotsman
Expert shares top tips to avoid bed bugs on holiday
As Brits pack their bags for long-awaited summer holidays, experts are warning travellers to stay vigilant and avoid bringing home an unwelcome and costly souvenir – bed bugs. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... These tiny, elusive pests are expert hitchhikers, sneaking into your luggage, clinging onto clothing and even hiding in books. Once they make it into your home, they can quickly multiply, leading to stressful and expensive infestations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad According to Sophie Thorogood, technical training manager at Pest-Stop, 'Summer is peak season for bed bug activity. Expert shares top tips to avoid bed bugs on holiday 'With the surge in travel over the summer holidays, it's important to be proactive with simple precautions, as these can significantly reduce your risk.' To help travellers stay bed bug-free, Sophie shares her expert advice: 1. Inspect your accommodation upon arrival Before settling in and unpacking, take a few minutes to inspect your hotel room or holiday home. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Look along mattress seams, behind headboards and around bedside furniture,' says Sophie. 'Tiny black or brown spots may indicate bed bug droppings.' 2. Use the luggage rack Avoid putting your suitcase on the bed or carpeted floor. 'Use the luggage rack or place bags in the bathroom where bed bugs are less likely to hide,' Sophie advises. 'This reduces the risk of bugs crawling into your belongings and hitching a ride home with you.' 3. Check your suitcase before you check out Before packing up, carefully inspect your luggage and clothing for any signs of bed bugs. 'Shake out clothes and check bag seams to ensure no unwanted guests are hiding inside. Even small items like books or chargers can harbour pests,' Sophie warns. 4. Wash and heat-treat your clothes Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Once home, act fast. 'To effectively kill any bed bugs, wash all clothes – clean or worn – at 60°C and tumble dry on the highest heat available,' says Sophie. 'However, always check the care labels first to ensure your items can handle high temperatures.' 'For delicate garments that can't be washed hot, sealing them in a plastic bag and placing them in the freezer for at least 48 hours is an effective alternative.' 5. Be cautions with second-hand buys Bed bugs don't just travel via luggage – they can also hide in second-hand furniture, clothing and books. 'Before bringing any used items into your home, thoroughly inspect them for signs of infestation,' Sophie suggests. 6. Act fast if you spot signs Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you do discover bed bugs in your home, don't panic, but it's important to act quickly before they spread. Bed bugs are much easier to manage when caught early, while numbers are still low. 'The Pest-Stop Bed Bug Blitz Kit is a fast-acting solution that tackles infestations and offers peace of mind,' says Sophie. By following these preventative measures, you can relax and enjoy your summer holiday without worrying about what might come back in your suitcase. For more expert pest prevention advice, visit
