Graham Matthews is a waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, while Tony King is the owner of London pest control firm The Pied Piper
Reduce waste overall, particularly food waste
King said: “One of the most common mistakes is tossing food scraps straight into loosely sealed outdoor bins, particularly meat, bones, and greasy leftovers. These are high-calorie foods that rats love, and the more consistent the food supply, the larger and more resilient the rats become. In fact, we’ve seen cases where rats have set up nests directly next to apartment waste areas because the access to junk food is constant. If you don’t want to encourage rats, the first thing you do is make your premises or home an unreliable source of food.
“Having a food waste caddy in the home is an excellent practice and can be very effective in ensuring that rats and other unwanted critters stay away. The biggest advantage of having a food caddy with a tightly fitting lid is that food refuse is safely sealed away in your home, without odors escaping to attract pests. When food waste is stored loose or in open containers, even at home, it can potentially offer an inviting setup for rodents, especially if there are any openings of small size within easy reach.”
Matthews said: “Warmer temperatures can cause food waste to spoil quicker, even if it’s been disposed of in a food waste bin, which can cause rats and other household pests to get inside.
“However, rats aren’t just attracted to food waste, it’s best practice that households regularly empty all indoor waste bins, especially in warmer temperatures.”
Regularly clean bins
King: “You should also keep bins clean, not just the inside, but also the rims, lids, and base. We recommend weekly washing of bins with a disinfectant like Zoflora or a bleach-water solution product that can be bought for under £3 per bottle. One practical trick is sprinkling a layer of baking soda at the bottom of the bin to absorb odours and moisture, which can otherwise attract pests. You’d be surprised how much difference this one cheap step can make.
“Food caddies should also be cleaned on a regular basis, preferably daily or every few days, to prevent odours from piling up and fermenting, thus attracting pests and flies. They should be cleaned with hot water and mild disinfectant to avoid residue that may be left behind to attract rodents.”
Matthews: “Keeping your wheelie bin clean reduces bad smells, germs, and stops pests. While it might not be the most glamorous job, spending time cleaning your bins every couple of months is a great way to stop insects like flies and maggots from taking over.
“There are some simple storage and disposal hacks that will prevent smells and pests at the source. Correct food waste disposal helps keep your bin clean, but it also means you’ll be doing your bit for the environment.”
Don’t leave anything outside your bins
King: “Another critical tip is never to leave tied-up bin bags next to or on top of your bin. Even a securely tied bag can leak smells or be partially ripped, and rats will gnaw through them. Place bags in a covered bin always, and if your area is also fox- or other wildlife-prone, consider the use of a wheelie bin lock strap. These can be found online for under £10 and prevent both spills and access.”
Matthews: “Making sure bin bags are always placed in covered bins not only reduces the chance of pests getting inside, but also reduces the chance of litter being spread by wind, which can also endanger local wildlife if it spreads into our waterways”.
Make sure compost heaps are protected with wire
King: “For compost heaps, I recommend a two-layer solution: use a good compost bin with a lid, then reinforce the base with chicken wire or a galvanized mesh (you can purchase these from garden centres for around £5–£10 a roll). This prevents rats from coming up from underneath, which is the rats’ favourite way of invading compost areas. Also, don’t compost protein-rich foods or cooked waste, only fruit, veg, and garden waste.”
Matthews: “Adopting an effective composting solution not only helps prevent a rat problem in your home, but also provides many environmental benefits such as reducing the amount of food waste going to landfill, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers as well as lowering methane emissions. It also enhances soil quality, which can make your plants healthier too.”
Use natural deterrents
King: “There are some natural solutions to help deter rats, which are more environmentally-friendly and economical. I frequently recommend peppermint oil as a cheap solution, as rats also possess a good sense of smell and hate the scent of peppermint. You can soak cotton balls in peppermint essential oil (a small bottle costs around £4–£6) and place them near known points of entry, e.g., around bins, drains, or sheds. Another easy and inexpensive method is to combine the oil with water and some vinegar and spray it around the base of bins or compost heaps.
“White vinegar is another cheap and effective method. Rats hate the acidity and strong smell, so spraying it around bin areas, fence lines, or compost bins makes the place one they’ll want to avoid. It’s especially effective combined with cayenne pepper or crushed garlic, both of which are pantry staples that also act as irritants.
“Dirty cat litter is another trick that some residents swear by. Sprinkling a bit of dirty (but dry) cat litter around rat entry points sends the message that a predator is near. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it’s free and a surprisingly effective DIY measure if you already have a cat.”
Matthews: “While there are many solutions to preventing rats available on the market such as traps, they’re not for everyone. Natural methods like those above are economical and much more environmentally-friendly to use in your home.”
Hire pest control if it gets bad to prevent it escalating
King: “While it’s important to note that while the above methods are helpful, they’re short-term measures that must be reapplied continuously, especially during summer months and after rainfall. If the problem is persistent, I always recommend that people bring in a professional before the problem escalates out of control, as rats breed very rapidly, up to six litters a year, and once they’re established in your home or building, deterrents won’t be enough.
Matthews: “If waste isn’t managed properly in the home, it can become a hotbed for pests, especially when it becomes an issue. Many people simply take their rubbish out and forget about it until an issue arises. It’s important to implement preventative measures, which are easier and cheaper in comparison to fixing a pest problem which has already begun.” The easiest solution is making waste as inaccessible to pests as possible.”
