Rats in the garden can be hard to spot, often it’s the damage they leave behind that gives the game away – like gnaw marks, footprints and burrows. But these plants will help deter them for good
Rats can be a real nuisance both indoors and outdoors, but it’s often trickier to spot them in your garden than inside your house. Seeing a rat with your own eyes is a dead giveaway that you’ve got a rodent issue on your hands. But rats, much like their mouse cousins, are sneaky critters and aren’t usually seen while they’re up to no good.
Instead, look out for tell-tale signs such as gnaw marks, footprints, and burrows to clue you in on their presence. Proof Pest Control experts have advised gardeners to get familiar with the scents of certain plants that these pests can’t stand, to “deter them effectively”, ensuring they’re “always scurrying away in search of more pleasant environments”.
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1. Eucalyptus
The specialists noted: “The intense scent of eucalyptus overwhelms their sensitive noses, making it challenging for them to tolerate or approach areas with this scent.”
The potent smell of the plant will dominate the atmosphere, creating an environment that rats find extremely off-putting and discouraging them from sticking around. You could also spread eucalyptus leaves around to get the same result.
2. Bay leaf plant
Its strong scent gets right up their nostrils, serving as a “powerful deterrent”. The pest control expert remarked: “Watch as these furry intruders will always scurry away, freeing your space from their mischievous presence.”
3. Peppermint
This organic and fragrant deterrent “works wonders” in keeping these pests at bay. You can establish a rat-free area by harnessing the potency of peppermint plants or oil, reports the Express.
The specialists stated: “The refreshing fragrance that delights humans becomes an unwelcome assault on the delicate noses of rats, driving them away.”