Rats and mice not only cause havoc in homes and gardens, but they can also bring down the value of a property.
Damage caused by rats and mice can knock £20,000 or more off the value of the average UK property.
The smell of vermin nests can be tricky to eliminate and these pests like to gnaw on electric cables and pipework and cause damage to joists and stud work – eliminating the rodents can cost up to tens of thousands of pounds.
Most insurance providers don’t cover damages caused by rats and mice because an infestation is not considered an unforeseen risk but rather an issue caused by a lack of maintenance.
With estimates putting the number of rats in the UK anywhere between 10.5 and 120 million, it’s important that homeowners know what to be on the lookout for.
Greg Wilson, rounder and CEO at home insurance comparison site Quotezone.co.uk, said: “Lack of maintenance could invalidate home insurance and leave homeowners unprotected.
“To help prevent rodents from entering your home it’s important to give the building a thorough check for holes and gaps and seal off any possible entrances for pests – ensuring there are no accessible food sources to attract them.
“As the breeding season for rodents begins in springtime, it’s important for homeowners to inspect their houses and carry out any essential maintenance to help keep their houses vermin-free.
“Because rats and mice are quick breeders, infestations can spiral out of control in no time so it’s important to carry out regular hygiene and maintenance checks to prevent rodents from wreaking havoc on homeowners’ properties and wallets.
“If a house has an infestation, it can reduce property value by up to 20 percent, and the seller is required by law to disclose this information.”
How to prevent rats and mice from entering homes
Clear clutter
If you want to prevent rodents from invading your home, it’s important to reduce clutter as much as possible.
Get rid of any unnecessary items in your living spaces, as well as in your attic or garage. You should also consider storing your belongings in tightly sealed plastic containers.
Use garlic
Rats and mice “hate” the strong garlic smell so it will help to “repel rats and mice”, according to Nic Shacklock, from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk so it’s worth placing garlic cloves around entryways for households dealing with an “infestation”.
Garlic is something most households will already have in their fridge. If not, they can be picked up for just 24p at Sainsbury’s.
Seal cracks
Any potential entry points through cracks and small holes should be sealed off to prevent rodents from entering your house.
Proper sealing not only keeps rodents out but also provides insulation, which can help reduce energy costs.
Clean your bins
The bins inside and outside your house should be clean and properly sealed to prevent the odours from attracting pests.
Regular cleaning and sanitising the bins, especially after disposing of food waste, can go a long way in preventing foul odours and protecting your home against an infestation.
