Latest news with #rodents
The Sun
4 days ago
- General
- The Sun
I'm a home expert, my £1 trick will keep rats out of your house & garages – you probably have it in your kitchen
IT'S fair to say that rats are among the most unwanted household pests and if you've got them they can be hard to get rid of. Traps and pest control can be expensive options but according to experts a simple and inexpensive kitchen item will do the trick when it comes to repelling rodents. 1 According to Plumbworld, bathroom and kitchen expert, white vinegar can help protect homes, garages and sheds from rodent intrusions—without the need for harsh chemicals or professional intervention. Rats rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food and navigate their environment. The pungent, acidic scent of white vinegar overwhelms their senses and disrupts scent trails they use to revisit specific locations. 'When applied to common entry points and nesting spots, vinegar makes the area far less attractive to rodents,' explains a Plumbworld spokesperson. 'It's a natural deterrent that many households already have in the cupboard.' This approach is not only safe but also sustainable, offering a practical alternative to toxic sprays and poisons. Experts recommend soaking cotton wool in undiluted white vinegar and placing it in key problem areas. These include under kitchen appliances, behind bins, along skirting boards and inside garage corners. The strong smell is enough to make rats think twice before entering. 'You can also mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle,' the spokesperson adds. 'Use it to clean surfaces and mop floors in utility areas or garages. Not only does it repel rodents, but it leaves everything fresh and clean.' This dual-purpose solution means households can manage cleanliness and pest prevention in one step. One of the main advantages of white vinegar is its accessibility. Found in nearly every UK kitchen and available for under £1 in most supermarkets, it's a cost-effective option that doesn't sacrifice safety. Watch moment Birmingham binmen sprint for their lives after huge RAT falls out of rubbish and scurries around their feet 'Unlike chemical deterrents, vinegar is non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets when applied correctly,' says the spokesperson. 'It's also biodegradable, so it won't harm the environment.' This makes it ideal for families seeking low-risk, everyday methods to manage their home environment responsibly. In recent months, homeowners are reporting noticeable reductions in rodent activity when used regularly, especially in colder seasons when rats seek indoor warmth. Though not a complete solution on its own, vinegar works best alongside other prevention methods, such as sealing gaps and removing food sources. 'It's not a miracle product, but it's a great first line of defence,' the spokesperson says. 'It's affordable, easy to use, and widely recommended by people who've seen results firsthand.' A Plumbworld expert concludes, 'For under £1, white vinegar is one of the smartest, safest deterrents you can use. It's simple, cost-effective, and it works.' IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know. Hornets and wasps - hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay. Moths - acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent. Flying ants - herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents. Mosquitoes - plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
CBC
16-05-2025
- CBC
People in this Montreal borough say there's a rat problem. They blame the biweekly garbage pickup
Residents in Mercier–Hochelaga–Maisonneuve say the rodent problem is out of control. Exterminators say nearby construction and Montreal's regulations for rodenticide products are also contributing factors.
CNET
14-05-2025
- General
- CNET
Wondering How to Keep Out Mice? We Asked an Expert for Tips
Your home security camera may be great at keeping away bad actors who worry about it, but what about those who don't? We're talking about mice. It's spring and that means rodents are out and about foraging, and once you have a rodent problem, dealing with it can become a real pain quickly. To learn the best ways to keep mice and other rodents from taking up residence behind the fridge or under the stove and radiators, we asked an expert on the matter. Laura Dillard is the head rodent research director at Tomcat, where she specializes in pest management and prevention. While Tomcat is best known for its traps and poisons, Dillard has tips for keeping them out in the first place. "Rodents are especially active in winter as they search for food, water and warmth to survive the colder months," she said. "Preventing an infestation requires vigilance and preparation to keep these pests at bay." Use all-natural rodent deterrents Peppermint oil is a known deterrent of rodents. Alina Bradford/CNET There are a handful of all-natural substances that can be set out in place of traditional traps. CNET Home and Kitchen Editor David Watsky found peppermint spray to be a particularly effective way to keep rodents from taking up residence in the home. "Peppermint oil is one of the most popular options," Dillard said, though some people go so far as to put predator urine from animals like foxes or coyotes around their homes. This often scares rodents away so that they don't end up as a bigger animal's dinner. Seal entry points with steelRodents can squeeze through openings of all shapes and sizes, even if they're as small as a quarter inch in diameter. "Inspect your home's exterior, including around pipes, vents and foundation cracks," Dillard said. "Seal gaps with materials like steel wool combined with caulk or metal flashing to prevent chewing. Pay special attention to areas around doors and windows." One approach is to add weather stripping, which blocks common entryways from animal trespassing. Products like expanding foam barrier get the job done and aren't difficult to use and install. Eliminate food sources Consider a robot vacuum to keep crumbs from piling up and attracting mice. Roomba It's always a good time to cook and bake our favorite comfort foods. Unfortunately, these dishes, along with leftover crumbs, pet food, bird seed and improperly stored pantry items can attract rodents that are searching for a feast. "Store all food in tightly sealed containers made of glass, meta or heavy duty plastic," Dillard said. "Clean up spills promptly and take out trash regularly. Avoid leaving pet food or water bowls out overnight. And if you feed birds, place feeders far from your home and clean up any spilled seed." Read more: Best Cordless Vacuums, Tested by CNET Labs Remove clutter Giving rodents piles of clutter to hide in and around will make your home an attractive place for them to settle. Alina Bradford/CNET There is a reason why most homeowners on shows like Hoarders deal with mice and rat infestations. Rodents love to seek out nesting materials like paper, fabric and insulation to burrow and keep warm. "Keep storage areas organized and avoid leaving piles of newspapers, cardboard or clothing in basements and attics," Dillard said. "Outdoors, trim vegetation near your home, remove debris piles and store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground." Read more: These Kitchen Organizers Will Give You Miles of Extra Counter Space Monitor for signs of activity Monitor for signs of mice, including claw marks and droppings. Artisteer/Getty Images Early detection can often prevent an entire infestation, but you have to know exactly what you're looking for. "Look for droppings, gnaw marks or sounds of scratching in walls or ceilings," Dillard said. "Identifying early signs can help you act quickly." Know when it's time for traps Snap traps are good for killing mice, but they don't do much to stop more from coming after. David Watsky/CNET If prevention techniques have failed, there are a variety of baits and traps to lure rodents into an enclosure and/or mechanism that kills them. Though standard mouse traps and glues continue to exist, they aren't the most humane. As an alternative, live catch traps exist to offer no-kill options as a thoughtful solution for managing rodents without harm. "These traps are designed to capture rodents safely so they can be released back into the wild," Dillard said. That said, they must be used effectively. Here are her most helpful recommendations to get the most bang for your buck. Tips for setting rodent traps Knowing how and where to set traps will help boost their efficacy. David Watsky/CNET Selecting the right trap: "Choose a live-catch trap that matches the size of the rodent you're targeting. Brands offer a range of humane trap sizes that work for mice, rats and other small rodents. Tomcat offers both single and multicatch live-trap options, but remember to check traps twice daily to ensure trapped mice are not prohibited from regular food and water consumption." Proper placement: "Rodents typically travel along walls, baseboards and other edges of rooms. Place traps along these pathways and near areas where you've noticed droppings, gnaw marks or nests." Baiting the trap: "Use high-protein, aromatic bait like peanut butter, sunflower seeds or small pieces of fruit to attract rodents into the trap. Be sure not to over bait, as rodents might take food without triggering the trap." Releasing the rodent: "When releasing a captured rodent, take it to a remote location, far from your home to prevent it from returning. Choose a natural area like a wooded or grassy field where the rodent will have access to food, water and shelter. Consider wearing gloves when handling the trap to avoid direct contact with the rodent." Effectiveness and considerations: "Live-catch traps can be effective, however they may require more effort than other methods since traps must be checked frequently to ensure the rodent isn't left for too long. Always clean and sanitize the traps after each use." By combining trapping with preventative measures, homeowners stand the best chance of eliminating the risk of a vermin invasion. Take both methods into consideration and rodents may very well seek comfort in a lost mitten and not within the walls of your home.
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
How To Get Rid Of (EEK!) Mice Living In Your Car
Mice and rats can find a vehicle a safe place to call home, yet the can cause damage and prove to be ... More a health hazard. For many, a long drive unaccompanied by screaming kids and chatty acquaintances can provide a welcome respite from the day's trials and tribulations. But these wanting to drive solo may find they have some unwelcome guests coming along for the ride. Mice or even (shudder) rats. Whether a given car, truck or SUV is parked on the street or in a garage, it can become a safe haven for rodents and other pests to become squatters. Even if parked with the windows tightly closed there are plenty of ways for a mouse to move in and get comfortable. To a rodent, one's prized ride exists as a warm, dry and safe place in which to reside, but they shouldn't be considered welcome guests. Aside from the potential health issues involved by rodent-borne diseases, even a single rodent taking residence under the hood can cause thousands of dollars in damage. They can also leave behind their droppings throughout the cabin, which at the least is just plain gross. And you don't certainly want to be out driving when a mouse suddenly decides to start running around at your feet. How to avoid or get rid of an infestation? We consulted multiple sources to discover how to prevent them from nesting within a vehicle, how to tell if it's become a dwelling for vermin, and – importantly – how to evict them once and for all. To prevent critters from making a vehicle home sweet home, make sure the interior is kept clean and with no food residue left behind to attract them. This also goes for the garage where a vehicle is parked, which is the worst place of all to store pet food and bird seed which are guaranteed pest magnets. Also keep the garage clean from clutter that would act as hiding places for rodents. Avoid letting the vehicle sit parked for extended periods of time when vermin could find the solace especially hospitable. And though it may seem counter-intuitive, some sources suggest leaving the hood (also the air cleaner box, if it's accessible) open when parked in the garage to make things colder and less cozy to them. Likewise with the car doors. Aside from the obvious rodent droppings left on the carpeting, seats or dashboard, look for chewed wires under the vehicle's hood or dashboard. Pests are often attracted to the insulation, which these days is often made of yummy (at least to a mouse) soy, peanut oil, rice husks or various plant-based materials. Often, a vehicle won't start or fails to operate properly because mice have gnawed through wires in the engine compartment. Even if they're not eaten all the way through, frayed wires can be a fire hazard. Another tell is to inspect a car's interior air filter (if so equipped) to see if it's being clogged with droppings or other debris not typically known to be airborne. A likely spot for a nest, the filter box is typically located at the back of a car's glovebox or under the dashboard and may or may not be easily accessed (check the owner's manual for details). If there's rodent residue, don't bother to clean it out, just install a new one or have a mechanic perform this task and insure that surrounding areas, including the blower motor and housing, are likewise cleaned out and disinfected as a precaution. Pay attention to damaged upholstery, whether it's holes in the seats, chewed cushion foam or missing chunks of insulation. Those with kids who frequently eat meals or snacks in the car should remove or have the backseat taken out to ensure food and candy debris dropped on the floor or between the cushions is not providing a delicious food source for Mickey and Minnie residing underneath. Bad odors can also clue a motorist into unwelcome company. A foul smell can be evidence of an infestation, especially since rodents often use the venting system as a shortcut to the interior from the engine compartment to harvest nesting materials. It can also mean that a mouse has since passed away somewhere within the vehicle and (yuck) is in the process of decomposing. Short of calling an exterminator, experts suggest the following ways to rid a car, truck or SUV of rodents: One way is to simply make the vehicle uncongenial. Start by honking the horn and upping the radio volume to drive away pests who are otherwise seeking a quiet place to call home. Since mice don't care for extreme heat, park in the sun on a hot day with the windows up, or turn the heater on full blast to drive them to a cooler place. Try a mouse repellant that's available at home center and auto parts stores to place at various locations within the vehicle to drive pests away. Some motorists use peppermint oil either sprayed onto key areas mixed with warm water or soaked into cotton balls and placed strategically throughout the car. Some sources even suggest hanging cut-up sections of Irish Spring soap or Bounce dryer sheets under the hood or to use cayenne pepper, pepper spray or Pine-Sol cleaner as deterrents. it's an especially good idea to use a repellant if the vehicle will be sitting idle for an extended period. Finally, there's the time-honored practice of setting a trap baited with nesting materials like cotton balls. While the old-fashioned kind may not be suitable for in-car use (especially if the idea of seeing and dealing with a dead mouse turns one's stomach) choose the kind that traps a rodent within a disposable containment (some allow it to be released humanely elsewhere if revenge is not part of the picture. Once the squatter has been trapped or has otherwise fled the premises, it's a good idea to have the vehicle checked out by a mechanic to ensure no damage has been caused, and to clear out any nests, droppings or other evidence of occupancy left behind. Fortunately, any damage a mouse leaves behind should be covered under an auto insurance policy's comprehensive coverage component, minus any deductible.
