Plants that will make rats "run from your garden" because they think they are repulsive

Rats, infamous for their unwelcome presence in gardens where they breed and scavenge for food, can easily move from your garden to the inside of your home. These pests are experts at hiding their burrows, so look out for holes around 8cm wide when you're exploring the garden.

Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control suggests homeowners use their gardens as a defence mechanism to deter rats. By doing this, you can prevent these pests from feeling comfortable in your outdoor areas.

To repel rats, consider planting mint throughout your garden as they "dislike the smell" of it. Not only does mint deter rodents, but it also adds a fresh touch to your culinary creations.

Similarly, the aroma of garlic is "repulsive" to rats. Jordan suggested: "You can experiment with garlic water and squirt it down a rat burrow.

"The smell will make it uncomfortable for the rats to live there, and they will leave your garden in a hurry for a more comfortable one," reports the Express.

Besides its rodent-repelling properties, growing garlic provides the bonus of having fresh ingredients for delicious home-cooked meals. Households troubled by rodent invasions might consider turning to their gardens for a solution, with experts suggesting planting onions as a deterrent.

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 exercise caution as onions can be toxic, especially to dogs. The cultivation of garlic and leeks alongside onions can also act as a natural deterrent against rodents and other pests.

Rats rely on their keen sense of smell to find food and avoid danger, which is why certain scents like lavender are repellent to them. Despite its pleasant scent to humans, lavender is off-putting to rats.

Jordan said: "Because of its potent smell, it can deflect them from finding food. So they try to avoid plants like this one."

Planting lavender around areas prone to rat activity and along the edges of gardens can be effective. Jordan suggests creating a border with herbs such as basil, thyme, and echinacea, explaining: "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."