WHILST rats might seem harmless to some, if you don’t fancy the rodents climbing all over your plants, you’ve come to the right place.
Not only can rats burrow underground in your back garden, they can also dig up plant roots and destroy flowers and plants in the process too.
So if you don’t want these pesky rodents causing havoc on your lawn, then fear not, you’ve come to the right place.
As reported by The Express, Sam Bryant, an animal expert from Glenlivet Wildlife has revealed three ways to banish rats from your garden for good.
According to Sam’s tips, there are three effective and natural rat-repelling plants that will ensure the rodents leave your garden once and for all.
The wildlife pro said: “Incorporating rat-repellent plants into the garden can serve as a natural deterrent. These plants possess odours or tastes that rats find unpleasant.”
Rats have highly sensitive noses and will keep out of areas which they consider to have a repulsive scent.
As a result, by planting certain flowers or herbs which have natural repellent properties, you can keep rats out of your garden by creating an environment that they aren’t keen on.
Sam claimed that mint is one of the best natural repellents as a result of its strong aroma.
He advised people to plant mint around the perimeter of their gardens, as well as near vulnerable plants.
He added: “Mint’s strong aroma can mask the scents of other plants, making them less attractive to rats.”
If you fancy giving this a try and are on a budget, you can pick up a packet of cool and refreshing mint for just 60p from Asda.
Not only can mint deter rats from your garden, but according to Sam, planting Marigolds can do the job too.
Gardeners should strategically plant marigolds next to their crops to stop rats and other pests from eating them.
Sam shared: “Marigolds emit an odour that rats find unpleasant. Planting them alongside vegetables or flowers can provide an added layer of protection.”
Not only does the scent of marigolds deter rats, but they can also act as a visual deterrent as well due to their bright colour, as rats are very cautious creatures and vibrant colours can keep them away from gardens.
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.
Finally, Sam revealed that daffodils can also be used to keep rats at bay.
Not only do rats dislike daffodils’ strong fragrance, but the plant also contains alkaloids which are poisonous to rodents.
Rats avoid toxic substances and having daffodils in the garden will discourage them from foraging in your garden.
Sam concluded: “Rats are known to dislike the taste and smell of daffodils. Strategically planting these bulbs can help deter them.
“Daffodils can be planted around the garden perimeter or interspersed among vulnerable plants to create a deterrent effect.”
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