A PEST control expert has revealed three plants that rat despise, including a 30p product that will banish them from your garden for good.
Rats can pose an incredible annoyance if they get into your home or garden, as they carry with them a range of parasites and diseases.
Jordan Foster from Fantastic Pest Control said: “There is no doubt rats are smart. They’re good at hiding until it’s too late.
“Rats usually get into your garden because it’s an excellent place to hide and a constant food source.”
Although it may be tempting to use rat traps and poison, these can pose dangers to pets, so it is better to use humane methods instead.
One scent that rats find “very offensive” is mint, because of it’s very strong smell.
Therefore, to help deter rats you can plant some mint plants in your flower beds.
You can pick up a mint plant from Asda for just £1.
You can also use the mint leaves in cooking or when making mojitos, so it won’t go to waste.
Jordan added that another natural way to deter rats is to use garlic.
“The smell of garlic is also repulsive to rats. If they get too close, they’ll think twice”, he said.
He advised mixing a few cloves of garlic with water and then pouring it down a rat burrow.
Garlic bulbs are super cheap, and you can pick them up from the supermarket for as little as 30p.
You can also plant a garlic plant in your garden.
Although lavender smells lovely to humans, it smells awful to rats.
Jordan said: “It can keep them from finding food because of its potent smell.
WHETHER you can hear them they're scurrying around your house, or underneath your decking, there's one reason you have mice...
Fabulous’ Associate Editor, Rebecca Miller, is a gardening enthusiast. She explains why it’s not uncommon to have mice, but you should be concerned if you have rats.
“Our gardens are homes to various animals, from birds to hedgehogs to squirrels. But there’s one animal no one wants to find – mice or rats.
“Mice can be destructive, and rats are just downright scary, and send everyone into a panic.
“But mice are common all across the UK – and one or two in the garden is not cause for alarm.
“Wood mice and field mice will easily get in your home since they are small enough to squeeze in almost anywhere. However, they are more likely to shelter in garages, sheds, and outhouses because they provide easier access to the outside world.
“You’re also more likely to see mice inside during the autumn and winter months.
“As for rats, they are generally considered vermin and can spread potentially serious diseases. They tend to set up home beneath decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.
“Rats are mostly nocturnal so you may not see them when you’re in your garden, but there are some signs to look out for: tunnels or ‘runs’, droppings, gnawed wood, or teeth marks in crops.”
‘Place it around decks, garden structures, and around the perimeter of your garden where rats might be attracted.”
You can either plant a lavender plant in your garden, or use essential oils.
Other essential oils you can use to deter rats are peppermint, citronella, and eucalyptus.
Simply soak cotton wool in the oil, and place it in the garden.
Fabulous will pay for your exclusive stories. Just email: fabulousdigital@the-sun.co.uk and pop EXCLUSIVE in the subject line.
