Three plants that will stop rats coming into your garden for good

As winter approaches, rats are more likely to invade gardens in November, gnawing on plants for sustenance and disrupting flowerbeds to create nesting shelters. It's crucial to eliminate these rodents promptly as they breed rapidly and carry diseases that can contaminate garden soil.

While some gardeners resort to poison, it's strongly advised to consult a pest control professional before doing so to avoid harming local wildlife, neighbourhood cats or household pets. Instead, James Neal from Neal Landscapes suggests a natural method of rat deterrence - growing specialised plants around your property.

He said: "Instead of using pesticides and potentially damaging products, why not consider incorporating some of these rodent and insect-repellent plants?"

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Mole Plant

One such plant is the Mole Plant, also known as caper spurge, which produces strong-smelling chemicals that rats find intolerable. Given their sensitive noses, any strong-scented plants can overwhelm them and mask the scent of food, making it difficult for them to inhabit an area.

Additionally, this plant secretes sap that irritates rats upon contact, discouraging them from chewing on this plant and other vegetation in your garden.

Mole plants are reputed for their ability to repel rats and, as the name implies, they can also discourage other rodents such as mice or moles. James explained: "Molehills and mice droppings can transform your garden from a lovely, relaxing space into a pest-infested enclosure, so the use of Mole Plant is highly recommended.", reports the Express.

"Containing the ingredient, castor oil – a well-known mole repellent – makes this plant top of the list if these pesky creatures are visiting your garden."

Sage

Sage has been identified as an effective deterrent against rats entering gardens, primarily because of its potent scent which humans find pleasing yet rats find extremely off-putting. Not only does sage irk rats, but it also secretes oils that make its leaves taste bitter, deterring rats from consuming the foliage or nesting nearby.

For those looking to safeguard their garden against rodents, James recommends creating a herb patch as peppermint, lavender, and rosemary can also fend off rats with their strong aromas. He commented: "Much like basil and lavender, sage has a strong aroma which, while pleasant for humans, is overwhelming for rodents and bugs."

"Most gardeners opt for placing sage around the plants that are targeted, creating an effective yet hugely affordable barrier.

"And even better, sage is one of the more versatile plants, which means it will happily grow in any soil type so long as it is exposed to the sun."

Oregano

Rats often venture into gardens in autumn, attracted by ripe vegetables ready for harvest, which is where the herb oregano becomes a gardener's ally. Oregano, with its strong scent, is favoured for planting near vegetables as rats detest its potent fragrance and spicy flavour, deterring them from nibbling on nearby plants.

The rodents associate bitter tastes with potential poison, leading them to avoid gardens they perceive as unsafe and devoid of food. Beyond being a natural rodent repellent, oregano also boasts antifungal properties that protect soil from common plant diseases.

Gardening expert James advised: "Most gardeners opt for using oregano to shield garlic, onions and chives in particular, so it is most definitely a valuable addition to your vegetable patch."

He added: "Ideally, oregano should be homed in an area that sees at least 6 hours of sun a day and can receive a steady supply of moisture."