A GARDENING expert has revealed a simple trick for keeping rats out of your garden.
Rats can cause a real nuisance if they make their way into your home and garden, especially since they can spread serious diseases.
They often make homes under decking, in sheds, greenhouses or compost heaps.
You may be tempted to turn to rat poison to get rid of the pests, however, this is toxic and can be dangerous to humans and other animals.
With this in mind, gardening experts at Primrose shared three natural ways that you can get rid of the critters.
According to the experts, rats have one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom, so you can use this against them.
Rats especially hate the scents of peppermint, citronella and eucalyptus.
So, if you drop essential oils in these scents around the areas where the rats have been, this should keep them well away.
Due to their heightened sense of smell, rats also hate the smell of pepper, or anything spicy.
Therefore, you can make your own rat repellent by using chilli flakes, which you can pick up from around £1 from the supermarket.
To make the repellent, simply mix chilli flakes with water and heat the mixture up, to infuse the chilli.
Then allow it to cool, and sieve out the chilli flakes.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and apply it to areas where you have had problems with rats.
Another simple trick you can use to get rid of the vermin, is to eliminate their food sources.
The specialists advised: “Compost bins are a treasure trove to rats.
“Ensure your compost bin is secure and move it away from possible routes of access, such as fences and walls.”
The experts also advised switching to a squirrel-proof bird feeder to block rats from being able to access it.
Making sure to collect any fallen fruit from trees is another way you can keep the pests away.
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