RAT

A PEST control expert has revealed a simple way to keep rodents away from homes and gardens – and all it takes is a quick shake and sprinkle.

With rat season about to begin, the advice arrives just in time.

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The easy – and humane – method is unveiled in a social media post just weeks before cool weather arrives in the UK.

That is the end of the breeding season for rodents and signals their arrival around homes and in gardens.

This is when the little blighters are at their most active as they search for food and shelter ahead of winter

If hungry they will take more risks such as raiding bird tables and bins.

And they don’t move in at night – they often seek food during the day, particularly if other rats are congregating in the same garden or porch.

But fear not, help is at hand – literally.

In a video posted to his Facebook account, Ceith Griffith unveiled a simple and effective way to keep rats from the door.

“It’s that time of year again, guys … mice and rats are going to try and get inside your home but I’m going to show you how to keep them out by repelling them,” he said in the video, which has received more than 2,500 likes.

Ceith goes on to explain how attaching a spray nozzle to a vinegar, apple vinegar or pine salt bottle can turn into the ultimate repellent.

“Pine salt works the best but I know a lot of people are allergic to it,” he said. “Just take the spray and point it at your porch and anywhere you don’t want the rats to come near.

“You can use this around your garage or even inside your garage … and it’s going to keep all the mice and rats from coming around your home, or garage or RV.”

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Facebook users rushed to the post to comment and thank Ceith for his help.

One person said: “Love UR videos. I watch and write them down. Thank u.”

A second person said: “Definitely going to try this.”

A third person, however, said they were looking for advice after encountering another type of pest in their home.

They posted: “Hello, how do you get a raccoon or possum out of your loft? Please help.”

Other ways to repel rats

Rats are a nuisance and can be difficult to get rid of but by using the pickled onion hack you can deter them, but other methods can help too, one of which is planting certain plants in your garden that rats hate.

One home expert shared: “Plants such as lavender, mint, marigolds, daffodils, rosemary, sage and several others can be planted in your garden to disrupt the smell of a rat.  

“If a rat can’t smell inside of your home then it is far less likely to try.”

For best results, plant these plants along fences, around sheds, and near compost bins or generally anywhere that rodents might be tempted to settle.

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A mum-of-three from the US has opened up about the assumptions people have made since her family decided to move to Italy and start a new life without American coffee, a tumble dryer or a car

On a typical day, which may involve schedules, work stress, and other commitments, you may wonder what it would be like to give it all up to live a different, calmer life, even if just for a short while. You may pine to move to a new city, or swap the hustle and bustle for countryside. Others dream of studying or living abroad for a year or two.

One mum, named Erica Galbreath, was left fed up with the daily “hustle and bustle” and wanted more adventure for herself, her husband and their three children. She has opened up about her journey after moving her family to Tuscany in Italy from the US. On Instagram, she admitted: “There’s wasn’t one lightbulb moment. No dramatic epiphany, no perfect timing. Just a quiet knowing that we wanted more. And somehow, Italy felt like the place to find it.”

Erica has been sharing updates of her journey on her Instagram page @travelingmuggles. While she has been inundated with support and positivity from others, many people have shared their presumptions about the family’s choice to move.

Before moving, Erica shared the “actual unhinged things people have said to me when I tell them I’m moving to Italy”.

READ MORE: Holiday hotspot turns to ‘ghost town’ as tourists declare it’s ‘dead’

One question Erica was asked stated: “Aren’t you worried about moving your kids there? Don’t you think this will be too hard on them!” Erica responded and candidly wrote: “Totally opposite. Say hello to never having active shooter drills again. The US isn’t exactly the poster child for safety.”

She also noted that when people say that they “can’t believe” she signed the children up for a traditional Italian school – and not an English speaking school in Italy – that it is “hands down the best way to learn the language and integrate”.

Erica further said people assume that the family is Catholic now, but they aren’t. She has also received wild assumptions that she “forced” her husband to move, as Erica said: “He’s been here less than a month and feels like this is the home he’s always been missing.”

The family are enjoying adjusting to their new life. Erica said they given up their car because they are happy to walk and the public transport is good. She noted she doesn’t miss the large American coffees and they do not have a tumble dryer – and dry their clothes outside like other Tuscany locals.

“This is something I’ve wanted since I was a child,” she admitted. Erica said her dad travelled for work when she was younger, and she felt inspired. One day she was on a hike and realised she had never fulfilled the dream of living abroad, so after speaking to her family and they decided to move to Italy 30 days later.

She said people have told her she looks happy since the move. Erica added: “I left everything behind, stopped chasing a dream that wasn’t mine, and moved my family to Tuscany.”

She noted: “We traded in the hustle for slow mornings, good wine and family time in Tuscany.”

The family don’t plan on moving back to the US any time soon either.

Would you ever more abroad? Comment below…