A staple 20p ingredient you probably already have at home is excellent at repelling rats and highly effective at keeping these disease-laden rodents out of homes.08:53, 30 Jun 2026Updated 08:54, 30 Jun 2026As summer arrives in the UK, household pests have entered peak activity season. Warmer temperatures accelerate breeding cycles dramatically, leading to pervasive rodent infestations in homes and gardens.‌Rats are one of the pests that see a massive surge in the summer, with these disease-laden vermin entering homes and wreaking havoc. In the ever-waging battle against rats, using natural repellents is a safer and more humane alternative, as chemical rat poisons are also toxic to humans and other animals, causing serious problems if ingested by children or pets.‌Natural rat repellents employ household ingredients which are highly effective at keeping these vermin away, and most importantly, they’re non-toxic to all.‌The 20p ingredient that repels ratsOne staple ingredient that’s said to repel rats and be highly effective in the war against these rodents is something you probably already have at home.According to experts, onions are the magic answer when it comes to naturally repelling these unwanted rodents and keeping them out of homes.‌Experts at Better Homes & Gardens say: “Unlike most humans, rats detest the smell of onions and garlic. Placing a few slices of fresh onion or crushed garlic in corners where rats could enter will deter them.”Jordan Foster, pest control expert at Fantastic Pest Control, also backs the onion hack for repelling rats, sharing: "You can grow onion in your garden or place it at the most common entry points for rats. Once they smell it, they'll run."Jordan adds: “Making beds with onion, garlic, and leeks is a great way to keep rodents and other pests at bay.”‌Onions are something most homes will already have, and they're also very cheap. Sold at just 20p per piece at Tesco, it’s probably the most affordable rat-repelling hack out there.However, there are some drawbacks to this natural repellent. If you have pets, you need to be careful, as onions and garlic are toxic to them, especially dogs. Additionally, to prevent spoilage and rotting, the onions will need to be replaced fairly regularly. This can increase food waste and be slightly time-consuming.‌Natural homemade rat-repelling mixThe Times of India has also shared a natural rat repelling mixture you can make using onions and a few other staple kitchen ingredients which will result in an effective deterrent against rats and mice.To make a chemical-free rat repellent, you will need one medium-sized onion, one teaspoon red chili powder, 12-15 black peppercorns, one teaspoon baking soda, one teaspoon gram flour, the juice of half a lemon, and a small amount of sugar. You can also add some water to create a paste.Together, these ingredients create a powerful and effective yet safe rat-repelling mixture.‌To make the rat-repelling onion mixture, start by cutting an onion into half and placing its pieces on a plate. Next, crush the black peppercorns into a fine powder in a different bowl. Then, mix the crushed pepper with the red chilli powder, baking soda and gram flour, add a dash of lemon juice to the bowl, and stir the mixture well. If needed, add a small amount of water to create a rat-repelling paste.Now, all you have to do is apply the paste evenly on the pieces of onion you cut in the beginning, and finish it off by sprinkling a little sugar on top. As per The Times of India, the sugar will attract the rats, while the spicy ingredients in the mixture will repel them, resulting in an effective natural barrier against these cretins.The prepared onion pieces can then be wrapped in paper and placed in corners of rooms, storage areas or closets, behind doors, and any other spots that are notorious for rat activity.Article continues belowIt goes without saying that these rat-repelling parcels need to be picked up and thrown out after a couple of days to maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards inside your homes.The Times of India states this method is “completely non-toxic and safe for pets and humans, yet highly effective at discouraging rats from entering your home”.