As the winter months continue, you might spot rats or mice trying to get into your home or garden as the rodents search for warmth, shelter and food.

While you might not want them taking up residence in your space, they’re very good at finding a spot to settle in.

Rats and mice can be an expensive problem to have, especially if they cause damage to things like electrical wires.

They can also spread diseases that can cause liver and kidney damage, salmonella and more which can be fatal, according to Bunk Beds.

Rats will be attracted to the smell of foodRats will be attracted to the smell of food (Image: Getty)

How to avoid a 'rat attack' - tips for keeping rodents out of your house and garden

The experts at the company have shared their tips for keeping rats out of your home and avoiding a 'rat attack' this winter.

Start with the garden

Rats can smell food from over 2km away and will travel long distances to find a food source if they need to so if you have any food thrown in your bins then you need to make sure they are secured with tight-fitting lids so you don’t attract them.

Store your bins away from your home if you can because rats and other rodents are scavengers and if you can keep your bin away from your house walls you will reduce the risk of attracting unwanted pests.

Use natural predators if possible

Natural predators like cats or owls are a great way to keep rodents away and some dog breeds such as Jack Russell terriers can also be effective deterrents.

Installing owl boxes in your garden can encourage these hunters to take up residence in your garden and keep the rodent population to a minimum.

How to get rid of these common garden pests

If you don't want animals in your garden, you can use decoy predator scents that can be bought online. These scents can deter rats as well as a wide range of animals like moles, voles, mice, squirrels and even skunks.

Natural deterrents

If using synthetic predator scents isn't something you want to try then using natural-smelling spices or oils could be the next best option, the experts suggest.

Strong-smelling spices like cayenne pepper or garlic cloves can be sprinkled around the entry points of your home. These scents are strong and can burn a rodent's nose as they are so sensitive to smells.

You can also wipe any surfaces in your home with vinegar as it removes the food odour that may attract them in the first place.

Adding spices around your home or natural oils such as peppermint or cinnamon oil can work but they are only a temporary fix. For something more permanent consider planting rodent-repelling plants such as mint, lavender or marigolds around your garden perimeter to create a natural barrier.

Native wild animals in the UK

Work with your neighbours

A rodent infestation in your house or garden might not be down to your actions at all.

Rodents can spread from one property to another so if you can get your neighbours onboard, you can minimise your chances of a rodent infestation.  

Organising your community to clean up shared places such as alleys or parks can reduce the debris which rodents love. If you notice your neighbour's bins aren't secured, you could let them know to create a safer and healthier living environment.

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Adeel from Bunk Beds, said: “Rodents are dirty and carry nasty diseases and the last thing you want is to invite these creatures into your home.  Rats and other rodents can also be expensive to get rid of too.

“Traps and baits can cost hundreds of pounds and there is no guarantee that it will get rid of the problem either.”

Adeel added: “If you don't get rid of your rodent problem quickly it can become near impossible to fix, a female rat can have up to 13 babies in a litter and can have anywhere from 3 - 12 litters in a year.

“Rats can also reach sexual maturity after 9 weeks so a population of 2 rats can exponentially grow to over 1,200 in a year.

“It's far better to prevent a rat infestation than to try and remove one.”