Stop rats invading your garden for good with 3 natural items ‘they’ll avoid at all costs’ (Image: Getty)
are more likely to invade in search of a warm burrow in winter, and if not deterred promptly, they can infiltrate your home.
It’s crucial to prevent these from settling in your garden before they become an infestation. Rats carry diseases through their droppings, posing a significant health risk to humans and pets alike.
However, if you’re hesitant to use poison, there are safer, more natural solutions to try first if you’re dealing with only a few rats you want to scare off.
Mark, a expert from Pest Control in London, has suggested certain home remedies that can “help get rid of rats in a natural way”.
These strong scents can overwhelm rats, causing them to vacate an area due to their highly sensitive noses.
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Rats are more likely to invade gardens in search of a warm burrow in winter (Image: Getty)
Not only do potent smells make rats uncomfortable, but they also hinder their ability to sniff out food or predators, prompting them to relocate for safety.
1. Cloves
The humble clove isn’t just for making your house fragrant, it’s also a practical rat deterrent. Cloves carry eugenol, an oil with a potent, spicy aroma which not only annoys the rodents but also sends a message that the area is not secure for nesting.
Expanding further on the measures to take, Mark advised: “Take a handful of cloves and wrap it in any bag or cloth.
“Place [these] wraps near the rat nest or hole. The smell of cloves helps you to remove the rats from your house without much risk.”
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Cloves carry eugenol, an oil with a potent, spicy aroma which scares rats (Image: Getty)
2. Red onions
If you enjoy growing your produce, consider planting lots of onions, as rats detest the strong and pungent scent of this vegetable.
Alternatively, scattering a small number of onion slices in areas where rats are likely to burrow can help deter them.
Mark has a unique tip for those battling rodent intrusions: “Keep the red onions where you have doubt of rats presence and replace it daily. The onion smell will keep the rats away from your living place too.”
It turns out that both onions and garlic are loaded with sulphur compounds which send rats into a state of discomfort and disorientation, potentially preventing them from taking over your home.
3. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most potent natural rat repellents out there. Rats are highly adverse to the strong scent because peppermint oil’s menthol causes a cooling and tingling sensation that rodents find “despicable”.
Since unusual scents often imply danger or toxicity, rats tend to steer clear of areas where they detect potent essential oils such as this.
Mark commented: “Peppermint oil is the best natural repellent for rats and mice. Rats hate the smell of peppermint oil and they will avoid it at all costs.”
You can create a repellent spray by mixing water with a few drops of peppermint oil and spritzing it around your garden as a deterrent for rats. Additionally, by applying peppermint oil to gates, fences, and the exterior of plant pots, you make these areas less inviting to rodents.