Money hacks How to banish rodents, bedbugs and other pests

This is the time of year when unwanted visitors start making their way into our invitingly warm homes.

- Suzanne Bearne

We all have different tolerance levels, but most of us don't want rodents and bugs roaming round.

The best way to avoid having to deal with them is by taking precautions to prevent their arrival in the first place.

This will, of course, vary according to the species, but for rodents, one of the best starting points is to check both in and outside your home for any gaps that a mouse or rat could come in through.

Note that mice can fit through holes as small as 6-10mm.

"You will need to fill any indoor or outdoor gaps, including around waste pipes, using rodent-proof materials, such as wire wool or metal plating, and fix with a suitable adhesive or screw.

"Or, in the case of an air brick, fix a purpose-built cover, or direct replacement may be more suitable," says Niall Gallagher, the technical and compliance manager at the British Pest Control Association.

Keep the place spotless

A key prevention measure for most pests is making sure your place is clean and tidy - food left accessible is one of the main reasons rodents are attracted to people's homes.

Aside from washing any bins (including recycling and food waste bins), Gallagher recommends "making sure surfaces and cupboards are cleaned regularly, you're not kicking crumbs under the kick plates, and that you are keeping food in rodent-proof containers".

Cleanliness and managing food storage is also imperative in preventing other unwanted visitors, such as cockroaches.

Check favourite places

Rats like to hang out in the loft, so rather than heading up there just twice a year to bring down those Christmas decorations and then put them back up again, Gallagher advises to periodically check the area for signs of rodents.