通过这个简单的 5 便士硬币测试，让老鼠远离您的家

在你的花园里发现老鼠可能会令人不安，但在你的房子里发现它们则是完全不同程度的担忧。随着寒冷天气的到来，这些生物正在寻找既提供庇护所又提供食物的温暖环境，而这个任务可能会引导它们直接来到你的住所

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.

随着天气变冷，老鼠等动物开始寻找温暖的环境来提供庇护和食物。根据皇家防止虐待动物协会的调查结果，这个任务可能会直接引导他们到你的住所。与在花园里发现这些生物相比，在你的房子里发现这些生物是完全不同的担忧。

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.

值得庆幸的是，无需惊慌，因为您可以采用许多简单且经济实惠的策略来阻止这些不受欢迎的客人。 DIY 专家推荐的一个这样的技巧涉及一枚普通的 5 便士硬币；一个简单而有效的工具，让您领先一步。

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.

老鼠喜欢小开口和洞穴，这为它们提供了靠近食物源的隐蔽藏身之处，它们好奇的天性经常吸引它们去调查这些地方。

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

为了阻止这些顽固的啮齿动物，Saxton Blades Multitools 的专家 Glen Peskett 创造了“5p 测试”。

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."

佩斯克特在接受《镜报》采访时建议房主：“在你的棚屋或家的边缘走一圈，仔细观察，任何大于 5 便士硬币的缝隙都应该立即密封。”

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."

他警告说：“你最不想看到的就是它们进入你的家并吃掉电线，这可能会导致火灾或电击。移除任何入口点将大大减少老鼠的数量。”

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.

您可能会在阁楼或屋顶、车库、磨损的挡风雨条下、地基间隙、管道、电线或煤气管道周围以及通风口和气道等地方发现这些 5p 大小的间隙。专家建议用钢丝绒堵住小孔，并使用填缝剂或喷涂泡沫进行固定。他们进一步建议将钢丝绒包裹得尽可能紧密，以防止老鼠啃咬它们。

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.

封锁这些入口点的其他建议包括使用木制造型、密封附属建筑和车库，以及修复任何已知有老鼠问题的地基。老鼠被归类为害虫，可以传播潜在的严重疾病、损坏财产和污染食物。

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".

随着秋季接近尾声，随着植被枯死，这些啮齿动物的食物来源开始减少，这使得它们在冬季在英国更加活跃。英国皇家防止虐待动物协会指出，啮齿类动物会被堆肥所吸引，并将其描述为“主要的引诱剂，因为它们提供食物、住所和温暖”。

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)."

该慈善机构补充道：“其他引诱剂可能是储存不当的垃圾袋、猫、狗或其他宠物食品（特别是兔子或豚鼠等室外宠物）以及留给野生动物（例如刺猬）的食物。”