Rats and mice top the list of troublemaking pests you’d want to avoid. Unfortunately, they have a knack for invading homes and gardens - this is especially true during the winter months.

As temperatures cool down, mice and rats will look for warm places to stay for the winter. Even if your home is sealed properly, rodents can find a way in.

They could squeeze in through your places like wall cladding, foundations, garage, chimney, or gutter. 

Locating mouse or rat droppings is a good sign that you have some unwanted house guests.

A small rat or mouse might not seem like a big deal. But these pests can carry a variety of diseases, they can bother your pets and they could even chew through wires in your home or car. 

According to the pest control experts at TomCat, one of the “best, most natural ways to get rid of rats and mice” is to “inspire” them to leave on their own. 

How? Well, by taking their strongest trait, their sense of smell, and making it work against them. 

Though rats and mice can sniff out food, garbage, and bait, there are a few scents “they really can’t stand”.

The pros claimed that mice and rats “absolutely detest the smell of peppermint”. Cotton balls dabbed with peppermint oil can work well to repel them, as can dried mint sachets. 

Just place oil-soaked cotton or mint-scented sachets in problem areas, refreshing as often as needed for a “longer-lasting solution”.

Experts at Pest Line also recommend using peppermint oil. They said: “Peppermint oil is a great natural way to get rid of mice and rats. You can use peppermint oil to drive them far away”. 

To do so, they recommend dabbing some oil onto cotton balls and placing them in various spots around the room or area. 

They said: “The oil will dissipate into the cotton easily, so make sure to reapply the oil to the cotton balls a couple of times a week.

“This oil is safe for pets and humans, just be sure to select the oil that specifies it is 100 percent pure. This method also works outdoors as well as indoors.”