Rodents have a sensitive sense of smell, which means that certain scents can “overpower” their olfactory system, causing them to scuffle away.

Pest control experts from Eliminated LTD revealed the top four scents that deter mice and rats – lavender, citrus, peppermint and chilli powder.

By using any of the above four scents inside and around the home, the likelihood of a rat or mice infestation is drastically lowered.

But is there a certain way to use these scents to guarantee your home is safe from the pesky pests?

According to experts at Eliminated LTD, mice and rats “hate the smell of lavender”, so even a lavender plant could be useful.

Lavender

Alternative ways to use lavender to deter rodents include spritzing a lavender-scented spray, using essential oils and placing sachets of dried lavender in access areas.

Access areas could include the door that opens up to the front or back garden, for example.

Citrus

Considered to be a potent scent, citrus is loathed by rats and mice, which can be found in lemon, orange and grapefruit peels.

Utilising a citrus scent could be “very effective at keeping rats and mice away” from your home and garden.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil, another powerful deterrent, contains menthol which irritates and disorients rodents by affecting their nasal cavities.

Mice will “avoid areas” where peppermint is present or will at least try to “stay away from it” as much as possible.

This makes peppermint one of the most popular choices for homemade rodent repellents. Simply apply a few drops on cotton balls and place them in rodent-prone areas.

Chilli powder

For those seeking a cost-effective solution, experts recommend chilli powder, readily available in supermarkets.

The experts noted its strong odour is highly unpleasant to mice, which can be mixed in with water and spritzed around entry points in the home.