If you’re dealing with a rat problem in your garden, there’s a natural remedy that can help deter the rodents from entering your outdoor space
Homeowners have been searching for environmentally-friendly answers to a problem that’s as ancient as civilisation itself – the invasion of rats in back gardens. The pesky rodents are notorious for causing chaos by stockpiling food and tunnelling beneath the surface, leading to the devastation of plants and root networks.
Not only do their nests wreck green spaces, but their droppings also harbour diseases. Whilst some may resort to traps or poison, such approaches present dangers to other creatures and aren’t widely recommended, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
Seeking guidance, Maia Brown approached the Gardening Hints and Tips Facebook group with her worry: “Rats! ! ! We’ve got a rat/rats visiting our garden – we see it most days. It’s not nesting in or under my little shed, there’s no food source in the garden and I stopped feeding the birds several weeks ago.”
“I’m a bit nervous now about going into the garden but my main concern is for my dog and grandchild.”
“Does anyone know how I can deter this rat from coming into the garden? Thanks.”
The widespread agreement amongst gardening enthusiasts on the platform favours a natural deterrent to tackle the pest problem.
In response, Diane Moss shared a tested solution: “I love peppermint oil for this. Rats hate the stuff. It worked in my garden and house.”
Supporting her view, James Reid suggested: “They don’t like peppermint. Use it on cotton balls around the garden or grow some of these plants.”
Emma Gibson shared her experience, saying: “Liberal use of peppermint oil on bits of cotton wool deterred them from my garden after five minutes of using the stuff.”
It’s recognised that mint possesses a potent fragrance which can prove overwhelming for rats with their delicate sense of smell.
The menthol scent and other compounds found in mint act as a natural deterrent, successfully driving them away from locations where mint is present.