Beware the humble rat! These crafty critters can squirm through titchy gaps as small as a coin to infiltrate the innards of your home.
Once inside, they multiply like there's no tomorrow and wreak havoc, causing both structural snafus and ruining your gaff's good looks. They're keen on holing up in snug spots out of sight think lofts, roof spaces, and even the bowels of your walls and pipes.
But fear not, because peppermint essential oil might just be your saving grace when it comes to giving rats the boot, reports the Express.
Essential oil experts Nikura have spilled the tea, saying: "peppermint not only contains an extremely powerful aroma, but also a distinct freshness that rats, in particular, tend to despise.
"Peppermint essential oil is a natural and cruelty-free option and has risen greatly in popularity for its effectiveness against deterring rats from the home, and can even prevent them from showing up for good with the proper techniques in place."
Loads of people have been bigging up peppermint oil as a top-notch, chemical-free rodent repellent for donkey's years, and even a 2010 review backed up these boasts.
So here's how you can get savvy with peppermint oil to kiss goodbye to rat invasions in your home:
1. Dip cotton balls in peppermint oil
The soaked cotton ball game plan is foolproof, top-drawer, and easy to maintain, probably why it's a well-favoured move for sending rats packing using peppermint.
Just douse some cotton balls in the stuff and dot them about your house strategically.
2. Knock up a peppermint oil spray
Rats are not just deterred by the smell of peppermint. Everyday household items such as dish soap and vinegar can also "send them running off in a hurry".
Luckily, both can be combined in a DIY spray, made with just a few basic ingredients you probably already have at home.
To make this, blend three to five drops of dish soap or one cup of vinegar with one to two cups of water and 10 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle and give it a good shake, ensuring all the components are well mixed.
Feel free to spritz this concoction on areas where you've spotted rat activity or where you suspect rats might frequent.
This solution doubles up as an effective surface cleaner - so you're getting two products for the price of one.
While peppermint oil is a fantastic deterrent for rats, it's worth mentioning that this method alone may not be enough to tackle larger infestations.
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