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Five plants to grow in garden to get rid of rats that rodents find 'repulsive'

by · DevonLive

Rats are a nuisance in gardens and can easily shift from your outdoor space to the insides of your home.

These critters love the shadows, which is why they're adept at concealing their burrows. Be vigilant for holes that measure around 8cm across while you inspect your garden.

Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control encourages property owners to use their gardens as a barrier to ward off rats from establishing themselves. This strategy helps prevent these unwanted visitors from getting too comfortable in your external spaces.

For those battling rat invasions, mint could be planted throughout the garden as they "dislike the smell" of the herb, which helps guard against potential access points.

Not only does mint deter rodents, but it also makes a refreshing ingredient for your recipes, reports the Express.

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Moreover, the scent of garlic is "repulsive" to rats, pushing them to think twice before entering. Jordan suggests: "You can experiment with garlic water and squirt it down a rat burrow.

"The smell will drive the rats out, making them seek out other gardens that offer them more comfort."

In addition to deterring rodents, cultivating garlic provides the added advantage of yielding fresh components for delightful home-cooked dishes.

Homeowners grappling with rodent problems might turn to planting onions in their gardens, as advised by experts, for an effective repelling method.

The expert advised: "After taking one smell at it, they will run away. Just make sure to put new onion every few days otherwise, it will rot, and instead of repelling the rodents, it will become their food."

However, pet owners should be cautious, as onions can be toxic, particularly to dogs.

In addition to onions, cultivating beds with garlic and leeks can also serve as an effective natural barrier against rodents and various other pests.

Rats depend heavily on their sense of smell to locate food and "avoid dangerous situations," which they sense by certain repulsive scents like lavender.

Surprisingly, the pleasant aroma of lavender to humans is off-putting to rats. Jordan elaborated: "Because of its potent smell, it can deflect them from finding food. So they try to avoid plants like this one."

Planting lavender strategically around areas that attract rats and along garden perimeters could prove beneficial.

Jordan recommends establishing a border with herbs such as basil, thyme, and echinacea. He explained: "Once the rats smell them, they will consider that your place has nothing to offer and they better run to the neighbour who probably doesn't have a 'repulsive' border around the garden."