IF your garden has been invaded by rats, then look no further.
Not only are rats an unpleasant sight for many, but they can also wreak havoc on plants and flowerbeds.
So if you want your garden to look impressive and be rodent-free this summer, then we’ve got just the thing for you.
Ash Read, founder of Indoor Plants, has shared his top tip for banishing rats for good – and it’s so simple.
He explained that “rats in a garden can turn a tranquil spot into a nightmare”, but thanks to his helpful advice, you won’t need to break the bank to get rid of them.
In fact, with this simple trick, you’ll only need to spend 52p – yes, you heard that correctly.
Ash advised: “While you and I enjoy a whiff of lavender or the sweet scent of a rosemary bush, rats not so much.”
His advice is that “rosemary’s presence in the garden can often make rats think twice before settling”.
All you need to do is simply sprinkle the rosemary over the problem areas in your garden, and it will deter the pesky creatures from entering.
If you fancy giving this trick a try, you can purchase a bag of rosemary for just 52p from Sainsbury’s or Tesco.
As well as this, Carlos Garcia, the son of Total Clean‘s founders, also swore by rosemary, as well as some additional rat-deterrent methods.
He suggested: “Some plants such as mint, lavender, rosemary, marigold, daffodils, fennel, garlic and onions are less attractive to rats due to their scent and taste.”
He also urged gardeners to “regularly monitor the garden for any signs of rat activity and address these issues promptly to prevent an infestation”.
Not only this, but Ash also recommended the deterring effects of marigolds and peppermint too, as he advised: “Marigolds, with their unique smell, also act as a rodent repellent.
Common pests in the garden don’t need to be a cause for alarm. If you can identify them, you can work on getting rid of them and preventing them from returning.
Aphids (Greenfly, Blackfly)
Aphids are extremely common and can impact plant growth. They have tiny soft pear-shaped bodies, and are usually green or black. You may spot them clustered on the stem of soft shoots – look under leaves in particular – or may find a sticky substance on your plants that gives away aphids have been there sucking at the sap.
Whitefly
These small white-winged insects are related to aphids, at just 1 or 2 mm in length, and look very much like white moths as adults. They can be found on the underside of leaves, preferring younger, fresher leaves. They fly in clusters when you disturb them. Their lifecycle is only three weeks long, which means an infestation can occur very rapidly.
Slugs
An unmissable, squashy-looking body plus small sensory tentacles on its head. Slugs move along on one muscular foot. They range in scale from surprisingly small to terrifyingly large; limax cinereoniger species can grow comfortably beyond 20 cm in length.
Cabbage Moth Caterpillar
Cabbage moth caterpillars happily make their way into the heart of the vegetables, The caterpillars are distinguished in shades of yellow or browny green with no hair.
Mealy Bug
Mealybugs are tiny oval-shaped insects that have a white, powdery wax coating. There are several different species, many of which have what looks like legs coming from their sides and back end. In their earliest stage of life, it’s entirely possible to mistake them for fungus and not recognise them as insects at all.
“Meanwhile, peppermint isn’t just great for tea, its robust aroma sends rats sprinting in the opposite direction.”
If you fancy creating a peppermint spray at home, you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s really easy.
All you’ll need to do is simply add a few drops of essential oil to water.
You can then use your very own DIY spray around any entryways and your favourite plants.
The garden guru also emphasised cleanliness as a way to say goodbye to rats.
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here's what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
He continued: “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.”
Emphasising the need for tidiness, he added: “It’s like keeping your room tidy, fewer places to hide means fewer unwanted guests. Occasionally give your garden a little shuffle too.”
Finishing his advice with another helpful tip, he concluded: “By moving things around, you’re playing a fun game of breaking the rat routine.
“Block access to decking and garden structures too.”
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