If you have rats in your garden, you’re not alone. These pests are a common problem for gardeners, as they enjoy nibbling on fruits, vegetables, and flowers, whilst scavenging near your bins. While rats can be difficult to get rid of, there are some effective and natural ways to deter them from your garden.
For a natural way to repel rats, many people turn to homegrown remedies. Home remedies can take a bit of trial and error, but they are usually much safer and cheaper than chemical solutions. Eager to find a natural way to deter rats, Sally Finch took to the Mrs Hinch Gardening Tips Facebook page for some help.
She wrote: “Hi guys, need some advice on getting rid of rats naturally!” While some suggested keeping the garden clean, the most popular response was to use peppermint oil.
Group member Angela Beattie said: “Soak cotton wool balls in peppermint oil and place along known rat runs – you’ll never see them again.
“It has to be 100% pure, though, otherwise it won’t work. We used this method, and it really does work, and if you put them where they don’t get wet, even better!
“The smell lasts for ages – wear rubber gloves! Peppermint oil disrupts the scent trails they leave behind.
“Word of warning: it can negatively affect birds and other wildlife, so place where you know birds, hedgehogs, etc, don’t go.”
As well as soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil, you can also use the liquid to make an effective rat bait.
Place the bait in areas around your garden where you have seen the rodents. The strong scent of the peppermint oil will attract the rats, and then the repellent effect will cause them to flee.
If you don’t have enough peppermint oil or want to tone down its smell while maintaining its effectiveness, you can create an essential oil blend.
Essential oils like tea tree, cinnamon, citronella, and eucalyptus also have pest-repellent qualities. Blend these oils and use them following the above methods for potentially more effective results.