Keep Rats and Mice Out of Your Home With This Simple 5p Coin Test

Spotting rats or mice in your garden might be unsettling, but discovering them inside your house is an entirely different level of concern. With the arrival of colder weather, these creatures are searching for warm environments that offer both shelter and sustenance, and this quest might lead them straight to your abode

As the weather turns colder, creatures like rats and mice begin searching for warm environments that offer both shelter and sustenance. This quest might lead them straight to your abode, as per the RSPCA's findings. Discovering these creatures inside your house is an entirely different level of concern compared to spotting them in your garden.

Thankfully, there is no need to panic because there are numerous straightforward and affordable strategies you can employ to deter these unwelcome guests. One such tip, recommended by a DIY specialist, involves a common 5p coin; a simple yet effective tool to keep you one step ahead.

Rats and mice have a penchant for small openings and burrows, which provide them with hidden retreats conveniently located near food sources, and their curious nature often draws them to investigate such spots.

To keep these persistent rodents at bay, Glen Peskett, an expert at Saxton Blades Multitools, coined the "5p test".

Speaking with The Mirror, Peskett advised homeowners: "Take a wander around the edge of your shed or home and look closely and any gap bigger than a 5p coin should be sealed up immediately."

He cautioned: "The last thing you want is them entering your home and snacking on wiring, which could cause fires or shocks. Removing any entry points is going to reduce mice significantly."

You might spot these 5p-sized gaps in places like the attic or roof, the garage, under worn-out weather stripping, foundation gaps, around pipes, electrical wiring or gas lines, and through vents and airways. Experts recommend plugging small holes with steel wool and using caulking or spray foam to secure it. They further suggest packing the steel wool as tightly as possible to deter rats from gnawing their way through.

Additional advice for blocking these entry points includes using wooden moulding, sealing outbuildings and garages, and repairing any foundations known to have rat issues. Rats and mice are classified as vermin that can spread potentially serious diseases, damage property, and contaminate food.

As autumn draws to a close, the food sources for these rodents start to dwindle as vegetation dies back, making them more active in the UK during winter. The RSPCA notes that rodents are drawn to compost heaps, describing them as a "major attractant as they offer food, shelter and warmth".

The charity added: "Other attractants can be improperly stored rubbish bags, cat, dog or other pet food (particularly outside pets like rabbits or guinea pigs) and food left out for wildlife (e.g. hedgehogs)."