are not only sneaky, but they are incredible contortionists and able to squeeze their bodies through the smallest of gaps. Therefore, to outwit a rat, you need to ensure that you detect every possible entry point, no matter how big or small. Once you have detected their entry points, you can then use products to repel and deter these .

For those opting for the natural route, experts at Positive Pest Management recommend using ammonia. Ammonia exists naturally and is also present in products. For these rodents, the smell of ammonia "imitates the same scent of urine of their predators". This makes the rat think that a predator is nearby and so they avoid it, making ammonia an effective method to keep rats away.

The pros said: "This strong ammonia odour is the biggest factor in making it a great rat repellent."

One of the common ways to use ammonia as a rat repellent is to simply pour it around the perimeter of your house. But if this is unfeasible, then you can choose one of the methods below.

For this method, simply mix two cups of ammonia, one cup of water, and one tablespoon of detergent in a bowl. You may leave this in places where you usually see rats.

The experts said: "This is a great way to scare the rodents away and perhaps make them stay away for years, giving you time to find other ways to protect your home."

If you don't want to leave bowls of ammonia mix around your house, you may want to consider soaking rags in ammonia instead.

To do this, you can follow the ammonia solution stated above and then soak some rags or cotton balls in it.

You can put these rags or cotton balls around your house. These should be replaced at least every few weeks to maintain their effectiveness.

Since ammonia has a pungent smell that can leave an unpleasant odour around your house, you can also consider using ammonia spray. This method may be less effective but is more appropriate for those who don't want to leave stronger ammonia solutions around their home.

To do this, simply put the ammonia solution stated above inside a spray bottle. You simply want to spray this in places where you find rats to deter the pests.

When using ammonia, remember to place it in well-ventilated areas to prevent inhalation.