It’s not uncommon to find rodents making a home in the attic, say experts at local pest control companies, but you’ll want to act quickly because there’s a difference from harboring mice, to rats making themselves at home. Professionals point out that rats can produce several litters a year, and easily get comfortable in your home.

Rodents in your home are both disturbing and a health risk. Aside from multiplying quickly, they cause unsanitary conditions and they can create an awful smell throughout the home. Getting rid of rodents can be tricky, especially if you have no idea what you are doing. It’s best to call in professionals that can eliminate all the rodents before litters start to take over the home. There are a few home remedies that you can implement to deter rodents.

Natural Rodent Deterrents

1. Keep your home clean. Mice often come to a house looking for food. If there is nothing to eat, the sooner they will disappear. Keep your food neatly in airtight containers or in places where mice can not get into, like the refrigerator.

2. Apply peppermint oil to surfaces. Peppermint oil is a natural repellent. The smell tends to be too intense for rodents and they will not try to approach. It also assists in covering up the smell of delicacies that were overlooked when cleaning. You get peppermint oil in most health food stores and even some large supermarkets.

3. Plants that act as a repellent. Many people would rather not use poisons outside the home to deter rodents because it can also harm other animals, however, there are other natural methods like plants that act as a good deterrent. Castor plants have a long history of being used to deter rodents. Parts of the plant are poisonous and vermin tend to avoid it altogether. Another plant is Catnip. It’s a member of the mint family, and produces a mint-lemon smell that attracts cats, but drives vermin away.

Rodents can create huge damages in and around your property so pest control companies suggest that the best plan is to use preventative maintenance and keep these creatures from making themselves at home in the first place.