Rats will ‘sprint’ far from your garden and home when they smell 1 natural household item

Close up of a wild brown rat in Autumn, foraging for bird seed in a garden with golden leaves and chestnuts. Facing left. Scientific name: Rattus norv

Rats will ‘sprint’ far from your garden and home when they smell 1 natural household item (Image: Getty)

It is possible to deter from your and home without using unsafe methods.

Ash Read, the founder of , has shared his expertise on how to keep rats out of your garden as he warned that “rats in a garden can turn a tranquil spot into a nightmare”. 

He suggests that certain can act as natural deterrents: “While you and I enjoy a whiff of lavender or the sweet scent of a rosemary bush, rats not so much.”

Ash recommends planting rosemary because “rosemary’s presence in the garden can often make rats think twice before settling”.

He also highlights the effectiveness of marigolds, noting: “Marigolds, with their unique smell, also act as a rodent repellent.”

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A big cluster of large, majestic bright yellow Marigold flowers in full bloom. Tagetes. Asteraceae family.

Marigolds, with their unique smell, act as a rodent repellent (Image: Getty)

Peppermint is another plant he mentions, stating: “Meanwhile, peppermint isn’t just great for tea, its robust aroma sends rats sprinting in the opposite direction.”

To use peppermint as a repellent, Ash advises creating a homemade spray by adding a few drops of essential oil to water and spritzing it around entryways and plants. 

He also suggests using other essential oils like lemon oil, citronella oil, and eucalyptus oil to keep the rodents at bay.

Flowers play a significant role in deterring rats, with Ash saying: “The same goes for chrysanthemums but my favourite is lavender, it’s a love-hate relationship, we love it and rats hate it.”

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The peppermint extract in a small jar.

Create a homemade spray with peppermint oil to deter rats (Image: Getty)

Lastly, he stresses the importance of cleanliness in the garden. He advised: “Rats also thrive in messy, overgrown places. 

“So, make sure to maintain a neat garden. Short grass, minimal overgrowth and organised garden tools are your allies.

“By moving things around, you’re playing a fun game of break the rat routine. Block access to decking and garden structures too.”

Carlos Garcia, whose parents founded , shared some wisdom on repelling rats with specific plants. He advised: “Some plants such as mint, lavender, rosemary, marigold, daffodils, fennel, garlic and onions are less attractive to rats due to their scent and taste.”

Additionally, he reinforced the need for regular garden checks by saying, “Regularly monitor the garden for any signs of rat activity and address these issues promptly to prevent an infestation”.

For those seeking an inventive way to banish rodents, the expert recommended placing garlic cloves at entry points, and refreshing them often, particularly after rainfall.

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