Rats and mice will stay away from your home if they smell one item they 'fear'

Rats and mice are highly sensitive to smell due to their poor vision, which necessitates heightened other senses for survival. To deter these pests, households should utilise potent scents that will "overpower" their olfactory sense, according to pest control experts at Eliminated LTD.

Mice and rats "despise the scent of lavender", so employing a lavender-scented spray or even cultivating a lavender plant can naturally repel them from your home. Alternatively, you could concoct your own solution using a quarter to half a cup of flowers per one-quarter cup of water in a spray bottle to keep mice at bay, reports the Express.

Ensure to shake well before each use, then spray surfaces in affected areas until damp but not excessively wet with the solution. Refresh this solution monthly to maintain its freshness and effectiveness.

Citrus oil is another scent rats and mice detest. This is because they contain limonene, a compound found in lemons, oranges, and grapefruits.

Limonene is also present in numerous cleaning products such as soaps, detergents, and disinfectants, giving them their fresh and clean scent when used around the house.

Citrus oils like lemon and orange are also "extremely effective at keeping rats and mice away" from a particular area or object.

However, due to the potency of citrus oils, they should be used sparingly or diluted with water before being applied to an area or object that requires treatment.

Likewise, peppermint oil is "effective" in deterring rats and mice as they find the smell of menthol repugnant.

When mice encounter the aroma of this essential oil, they "associate it with danger and fear". Consequently, they'll "avoid areas" where it's present or attempt to "stay away from it" as much as possible.

This is one of the most common ingredients utilised in homemade mouse repellents. The scent is potent enough to keep mice at bay from a specific area or object.

Simply place a few drops on cotton balls and position them in places where mice are likely to hide.

Chilli powder is another excellent choice for creating homemade rat deterrents as it's "inexpensive and easy to obtain at most grocery stores".

You'll require approximately two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water before adding it to your spray bottle or hand sanitiser container.

The experts stated: "This is an effective home remedy for getting rid of mice because it smells terrible to them and they won't stay around long enough for their sense of smell to become accustomed to it."

Simply scatter some chilli powder in areas where you suspect there may be mice, such as behind cupboards or beneath furniture.