Overview
- Multiple UK outlets republished pest-control guidance on Wednesday recommending cayenne pepper or chilli as a natural rat deterrent attributed to Native Pest Management.
- The widely circulated DIY recipe calls for one tablespoon of cayenne or chilli flakes, one litre of water and a splash of washing-up liquid, boiled, cooled and poured into a spray bottle for use.
- Coverage says the spray or loose flakes should be applied around likely entry points such as pipes, drains, roof gaps, windows, doors and damaged air bricks and must be reapplied after heavy rain.
- Reporters highlight practical limits and risks: the method is presented as practical advice rather than scientific proof, it washes away in damp conditions, and chilli-treated areas can irritate children and pets.
- The guidance ties into the seasonal peak in rat activity from March to October and is framed as an accessible, low-cost option (a jar of cayenne cited at about £1 from Asda) that homeowners should pair with cleanliness and garden maintenance to reduce infestations.