If you’ve seen a rat in your garden or spotted droppings around your shed, you’re not alone. Rodents are a common problem in homes and outdoor spaces across the UK, especially in summer. But while dealing with them often means setting traps or using chemicals, some experts say there’s a natural way to help keep them out.
Rats tend to avoid certain flowers either because of their smell or the chemicals they contain. The three plants below are usually thought to have a lovely smell, but rats certainly don’t agree. Some humans may also not be fond of some of them.
Pest control experts at Buzz Boss say chrysanthemums are useful for keeping rats and other pests away because they contain pyrethrin, a natural compound found in the yellow centre of the flowers.
Pyrethrin affects the nervous systems of insects and is believed to deter rodents, making chrysanthemums a natural pest deterrent.
They’re easy to grow and bloom from late summer into autumn. Chrysanthemums need full sun and well-drained soil and can be planted in borders, containers, or garden beds.
Buzz Boss also advises watering regularly, feeding once a month, and pruning after flowering to keep the plants healthy.
Buzz Boss also recommends lavender as a natural way to deter rats, thanks to its strong scent and the essential oils it produces.
While many people use lavender for its calming smell, rodents tend to avoid it.
This perennial plant can grow up to 60cm tall and blooms in late spring or early summer.
Lavender is low-maintenance and thrives in sunny areas with well-drained soil, making it suitable for pots, beds, or ground cover.
According to experts at House Digest, daffodils are another flower that rats tend to avoid.
That’s partly due to their smell and partly because they contain lycorine, a chemical that is toxic to many mammals, including rodents.
While daffodils can be helpful in keeping pests away, the same chemical makes them potentially harmful to pets and children if eaten.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Poison Control both warn that daffodils should be kept out of reach of animals and young children.
These flowers grow best in full sun and well-drained soil. They should be planted in autumn to bloom by spring.
The experts recommend placing them along fences, near entry points, or anywhere you’ve previously seen rats.