Amazon shoppers praise product that 'really works' as mice and rat infestations rise

As autumn approaches here in the UK, mice and rats often seek shelter from the colder weather by hiding away in sheds, garages and houses. September and October are a peak time for rodent activity as little critters look for warm, indoor environments with a steady food source to prepare for winter.

Small enough to enter homes through small gaps and cracks, a mouse can squeeze through a gap as small as 10mm, and a rat can fit through a hole just 15mm in diameter. Rodents pose a risk to health by carrying diseases and can cause significant property damage by chewing on materials like wood, insulation and electrical cables. This makes effective and affordable pest control a major consideration for British households at this time of year.

According to John Stewart of Pelsis UK, the most effective way to deter mice is to make your home unappealing to them, especially during winter when they seek shelter. He advises homeowners to secure all food sources, saying: "During the winter, mice seek shelter indoors, often drawn by easily accessible food." He recommends storing food in sealed containers in high cupboards and ensuring all rubbish is in secure bins.

The expert guidance from Rentokil also highlights just how little food mice need to survive, noting that "three once frozen peas under the freezer, some crumbs wedged between the cooker and the cupboard, and that half-eaten biscuit long forgotten down the side of the sofa are more than enough."

Keeping homes clean and free from crumbs and other tasty morsels is the most effective way to keep furry friends at bay, but there are other tricks to try.

John explained: "Homeowners have several options for dealing with rodents, whether they prefer humane live-catch traps or traditional traps for quicker results. Humane solutions, such as indoor repellents are the most popular solution as they can deter rodents without harming them.

"These devices emit high-frequency sounds that are unpleasant to rodents but inaudible to humans."

Amazon shoppers appear to agree as one humane pest repellent is proving to be popular at this time of the year. Priced at £26.99, the AMZ BRAND Ultrasonic Mouse and Insect Repellent two pack is designed to eliminate a variety of pests, including mice, rats, mosquitoes and ants from the home.

Made from fire-resistant and non-toxic ABS plastic, each device uses ultrasonic technology and has a power of 8W, providing a total coverage of up to 280 square meters. Each device comes with three different working modes for maximum efficiency.

The ultrasonic repellants are designed to be human and pet-friendly and come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Some people and pets with sensitive hearing however, may be able to hear the sound in modes 2 and 3. If this is an issue, users can switch to mode 1, which is the quietest setting.

Users may notice an initial increase in pest activity during the first two weeks as pests are driven from their hiding spots, but the issue should be resolved within four to five weeks.

If this pest repellent isn't quite right, Amazon also sells the Pestbye® Advanced Whole House Mouse Repellent for £24.99. Keeping pests a bay using electro-magnetic interference and ultrasonic noise, this larger model claims to be able to cover houses up to 2000sq ft (about the size of a 4 bed house).

If mice and rats do manage to find their way in, humane traps can be useful to help capture and release. The Big Cheese Ready-Baited Live Multi-Catch Mouse Trap, for example, available for £13.50 and from Argos, is a safe and effective, bait-based way to catch unwanted visitors.

Customers who have already tried the AMZ Pest Repeller two-pack have given it a four out of five-star rating. One buyer said: "I recently experienced a bit of a rodent issue around my home, so I did some research into how best to deal with it. I decided on silent mode, plugged into my kitchen, sat back and ominously waited to see if it would actually deter the rat, fast forward a few weeks and absolutely no sign of it at all. I'm really impressed with it. It's not often you get value for money, but I would definitely recommend it 100%."

Another added: "They have been plugged in for two weeks now, and still no sign of anything!! I've been told if you don't see any sign of rats after a week, then they are pretty well away! Would definitely recommend these, good price, and easy to set up."

Not all buyers were quite so impressed though, with one noting: "The rats rave near them, have made very little difference."

Most feedback was positive, with another five-star review saying: " I can honestly say, it has been an excellent purchase. It has done exactly what was expected. My garage is now mice-free! The item has not only got rid of the mice but has also prevented them from coming back! I will be keeping the repeller on full time in my garage."