Four plants will send rats ‘racing out of your garden at top speed’

Instead of using traps and poison, one garden expert advises using a handful of popular plants and herbs that are both non-toxic and cheap for humans to help deter any rats

The last thing people want to see in their garden is rats running along the lawn or through flowerbeds.

One way of ridding your property of these type of unsightly rodents is to set traps, while another method includes laying down rat poison outside. However, these efforts can be both potentially harmful and toxic and there are more natural and safer means available for deterring rats. All it takes is making sure that a handful of fragrant houseplants are in your garden. Rats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, meaning that certain plants and herbs so overbearing for that they won't go anywhere near them.

Cynthia Lawrence, a gardening expert from Tom’s Guide, said: “Known for their fragrant properties, these favourite plants and herbs will actually be offensive to rodents since they have a very strong sense of smell, much stronger than what humans have. What’s more, these natural repellents are non-toxic, inexpensive and safe to use (unlike some traps), which is ideal for using around children or pets." With that in mind, below are four cheap plants and herbs that will help ensure any rats race away out of your garden at full pelt.

Chrysanthemum

As well as being pretty, chrysanthemums contain a natural pesticide called pyrethrin which is not only poisonous to rodents but is also used as a natural pest control agent to get rid of flies, ants, and moths, reports the Express. Cynthia said: “Chrysanthemums are another colourful plant that emits a potent smell for mice and rats. The blooms contain a special combination of insecticidal compounds that can be toxic too, and an effective repellent. As these are popular flowers, you can easily find these in your local gardening store, and either place them outdoors or inside your home.” Although chrysanthemums can be very effective against rodents they can also be poisonous to cats and dogs, which should be kept in mind if you have any of these type of pets at home.

Sage

Sage plants have thujone and cineole in them, which rats can find overwhelming and will likely stay away from an area if they smell it. Cynthia added: “This fragrant herb commonly used in our pasta dishes, also makes a great pest repellent. Rats in particular hate the smells of both the green and white sage varieties. Simply sprinkle herbs onto soil, around outdoor plants, entryway crevices or cracks around the house. The pungent smells should be enough to repel mice and rats from entering.”

Peppermint

Peppermint gives off a spicy and pungent scent that rats can't stand as it contains menthol - a known rodent repellent. Cynthia said: “Rodents hate the fresh scents of the mint variety. Particularly peppermint and spearmint, as these tend to be the strongest. “Consider growing these aromatic herbs in your backyard, or placing them in pots to deter mice and rats. You can also try pouring peppermint oil on cotton wool balls and leaving them in places of your home you suspect rats are entering, and it will also deter them from keeping your home pest-free this spring.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the most effective plants to get help get rid of rats due to its highly fragrant scent - smell that it very popular and soothing with humans. You can simply use a lavender house plant in a vase in your property, plant it along the borders of your garden or even scatter dried lavender flowers around the entry points of your home to keep any potential rats from entering it. “This pretty, purple plant is known for its fresh scent that fills the air. But while the lingering scent is pleasant for our homes, it’s also repulsive to mice and rats," Cynthia said.