Rats can be a real pain for gardeners, not only do they eat crops but they make burrow nests and can dig up plants as well as their root system, but there are ways to deter them
Rats might be adorable to some, but they can still give you a fright if you spot one darting about.
They’re notorious for being a nuisance to gardeners everywhere. These pesky rodents not only munch on crops but are known for stashing food underground and creating burrow nests. This means they can uproot plants and ruin their root system while turning your garden into their abode.
Moreover, rat droppings and urine can pollute your soil and potentially spread disease, posing a health risk to anyone who comes into contact with the contaminated soil or plants grown in it. While rats can be irritating, they are part of the local ecosystem and using harsh chemicals to deter them is not only cruel but can harm your local wildlife.
However, gardening expert Ellen Christine, who promotes eco-friendly lifestyles, has shared some simple ways to discourage rats from your garden and prevent them from damaging your plants, reports the Express. On her blog Confessions of an Overworked Mom, Ellen revealed she had a few DIY methods for getting rid of rats which she found “really work.”
How to keep rats out of your garden?
Plant peppermint
Rats have highly sensitive noses and will avoid places they find have repugnant smells, and are known to be put off by strong-smelling herbs and flowers.
Ellen penned: “Mint is a natural rodent repellent. They do not like the way it smells and will avoid it. Be sure to plant mint around the borders of your garden or the area that rodents are most attracted to.” However, she cautioned that mint is an “aggressive” fast-growing plant that needs monitoring if you decide to plant it. She added: “[It] will have to be kept in check or it will take over your garden.”
According to Ellen, other plants that deter rats from your garden include marigolds, rosemary, lavender, onions, garlic and daffodils.
Use Irish Spring soap
Ellen also shared an unconventional method she swears by – placing Irish Spring soap around your garden. She explained: “This is an old trick from back when my parents gardened. You can chop up Irish Spring Soap and crumble it around your garden.”
“The rodents don’t like the way it smells. You will have to replace it eventually depending on how much rain you get.” Known for its citrus, woodsy and floral scent, Irish Spring is a deodorant soap that may repel rats due to its strong smell.
Ellen concluded: “It’s not possible to have a completely rat-proof garden, but with these suggestions, you should be able to discourage them from visiting.”
Stop mulching
She also advised against mulching, a gardening technique that involves placing a thick layer of natural material over the soil surrounding a plant. While this method can help fertilise the plant, suffocate nearby weeds and keep the plant warm during the frosty winter weather, it can also attract rodents.
While mulching is widely recognised as a boon for plant health, Ellen has warned it can attract unwanted rodent visitors to gardens. Ellen advised: “I know that mulch is helpful to keep down weeds and that it helps hold moisture into the soil. Unfortunately, it also encourages rodents to come to visit and make their home in your garden.”
She suggests an alternative: “Try using stones instead which won’t be as attractive. This is one of the easiest ways to keep rodents out of the garden.”
