Onions: A Cheap and Effective Rat Repellent
As summer heats up in the UK, rat activity peaks, driving rodents into homes. Experts recommend a simple, 20p solution: onions. According to Better Homes & Gardens, rats detest the smell of onions and garlic. Placing fresh onion slices or crushed garlic in corners where rats may enter can deter them effectively.
Jordan Foster, a pest control expert at Fantastic Pest Control, endorses this method. “You can grow onion in your garden or place it at the most common entry points for rats. Once they smell it, they'll run,” Foster said. He also suggests planting onion, garlic, and leeks to keep rodents at bay.
Onions are widely available and inexpensive—Tesco sells them for 20p each. However, caution is needed for pet owners, as onions and garlic are toxic to dogs and other animals. Additionally, the slices must be replaced regularly to prevent spoilage.
DIY Natural Rat-Repelling Mixture
The Times of India shares a homemade repellent combining onion with other kitchen ingredients. To make it, you need one medium onion, one teaspoon red chili powder, 12-15 black peppercorns, one teaspoon baking soda, one teaspoon gram flour, juice of half a lemon, and a little sugar.
Start by cutting the onion into halves and placing them on a plate. Crush the peppercorns into a fine powder, then mix with chili powder, baking soda, and gram flour. Add lemon juice and stir, adding water if needed to form a paste. Apply the paste evenly on the onion pieces and sprinkle sugar on top. The sugar attracts rats, while the spicy mix repels them.
Placement and Safety
Wrap the prepared onion pieces in paper and place them in corners, storage areas, closets, or behind doors where rats are active. Discard the parcels after a couple of days to maintain hygiene. The Times of India states this method is “completely non-toxic and safe for pets and humans, yet highly effective at discouraging rats from entering your home.”
