As temperatures drop and nights grow darker, many UK households will abandon their gardens for the warmth of indoors. However, experts are warning that November is the month to pay particular attention to outdoor spaces, as rats are on the hunt for a cosy place to rest for the winter.
According to Pest Control, November is the time of year when rats look for a warm place during the colder months. With their resources dropping, homeowners are more likely to see the rodents running through their gardens as they search for a place to hide.
Why Cinnamon Works
Once rats get into a house, they are very difficult to get out, so it is important to know how to ward off the vermin before they can make their attempt to get inside. A relatively cheap kitchen cupboard staple is said to do the trick.
Costing only 95p at Asda, cinnamon is said to have more uses than just adding extra goodness to a coffee or pastries. Experts state that cinnamon can help rid the pests from your garden. Due to its strong scent, cinnamon is able to repel rats from their hiding spots and keep them away from your home. Outdoor Guide adds that the spice can also have a similar effect on mice, rabbits and deer.
Cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde, which creates its spicy and sharp aroma. Due to the rat's highly attuned sense of smell, this chemical can overwhelm the rodent, causing it to back off. This spice is also the ideal ingredient to use in the garden as it does not have any adverse effects on plants, meaning your garden can continue to flourish when spring rolls around once more.
How to Use Cinnamon to Get Rid of Rats
Experts advise that the best way to use cinnamon to deter rats from entering your garden and home is to use it to create an all-natural liquid pesticide. In this case, cinnamon oil will work better as it will mix well and provide a more pungent aroma than ground powder. However, if you only have powder it will still work.
Mix this with water and some liquid dish soap to help it stick to surfaces. This pesticide can be further elevated by adding some mint and cloves for stronger smells. Once the mixture is ready, this can be applied to the soil surrounding plants, as well as the leaves and stems. It can also be used on areas around your house where rats may be able to enter.
Homeowners should avoid spraying the mixture on any fruit or vegetables in the garden as the cinnamon can seep into the skin and change the flavour.
