Rat season’s here. Between August to October, rodent populations peak – and this year, thanks to the warmer weather and an abundance of food (fuelled by bin strikes in some areas), they appear to be doing particularly well for themselves.

There have even been sightings of “cat-sized” rats across the UK, with one discovered in a Teesside home measuring 56cm long.

Signs of a rat infestation can include: droppings, gnaw marks on cables in your home, rub marks or smudges on surfaces, and holes in the garden. Empty snail shells could also mean rats are nearby.

So, how can you keep them away from your home and garden?

The cupboard staples that can keep them away

While you can

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