Spring brings sunshine, blooming gardens, and longer days — but unfortunately, it also brings unwanted visitors like rats and mice. As temperatures rise, these pests become more active and look for food, shelter, and safe places to breed. Homes offer all three, making them perfect targets for rodents during the spring breeding season.
While many people spend up to £260 on pest control services, there’s a simple and cheap solution that can help you avoid those costly bills. Experts have shared a clever £1 hack that helps keep rats and mice out of your home.
Why Rodents Enter Homes in Spring
Spring is the peak breeding season for both rats and mice. As the weather gets warmer, rodents become more active and start searching for places where they can stay safe and raise their young. Your home provides everything they need — warmth, food, water, and hidden corners to nest.
That’s why you may start noticing signs of rats or mice in your kitchen, attic, or under the floorboards during this season.
The £1 Hack to Keep Rats and Mice Away
Chris Hutton, a storage expert at Adam Selfstore, recommends using steel wool to block entry points. It may seem simple, but steel wool is a material rodents can’t chew through — making it an ideal, chemical-free way to keep them out.
Steel wool is available for as little as £1 in stores like Iceland, making it an affordable and effective solution for pest control.
How to Use Steel Wool at Home
Start by checking your home for small holes or gaps, especially around:
- Pipes
- Vents
- Skirting boards
- Door frames
- Cracks in the wall
Once you find these openings, pack them tightly with steel wool. To make it more secure, seal the wool in place using caulk or strong adhesive.
This not only blocks rodents but also prevents insects from entering.
Other Natural Ways to Deter Rodents
Besides using steel wool, you can try other natural repellents that are known to keep rats and mice away:
- Peppermint oil
- Clove oil
- Cayenne pepper
- Apple cider vinegar
- Ultrasonic pest repellents
Ultrasonic devices release high-frequency sounds that humans and pets can’t hear, but rodents find unbearable. These gadgets are easily available online or in hardware stores.
Prevention Tips to Keep Pests Away
Chris Hutton also highlights that prevention is just as important as using repellents. Here’s what you can do regularly to avoid attracting pests:
- Declutter your home, especially storage areas
- Store food in airtight containers
- Take out the trash regularly
- Seal all visible cracks or gaps in walls and floors
A clean and well-sealed home leaves fewer opportunities for rodents to enter or settle in.
With spring in full swing, it’s essential to keep your home safe from rats and mice. While hiring pest control can be expensive, simple tricks like using £1 steel wool can help you avoid infestations and save money. Combine this with natural repellents and good cleanliness habits, and you’ll enjoy a rodent-free season. Start now and stop the pests before they even get in.
FAQs
Why are rats and mice more common in spring?
Spring is their peak breeding season, and warmer weather makes them more active in finding food and nesting spots inside homes.
What is the £1 hack to stop rats and mice?
The trick is using steel wool to block entry points. Rodents can’t chew through it, making it a simple and effective barrier.
Where should I put steel wool in my house?
Use it to fill gaps around pipes, vents, skirting boards, and door frames. Then seal it with caulk for extra protection.
What other natural repellents work against rodents?
You can use peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, clove oil, or ultrasonic sound devices to keep them away.
How can I prevent rats and mice from entering my home?
Keep your home clean, declutter storage areas, store food securely, take out trash often, and seal all cracks or holes.
