Rats may be cute-looking creatures, but they can still cause you to jump out of your seat if you see one scurrying around, and are known to be a pain for gardeners everywhere.
These rodents not only eat crops but are known for hoarding food underground and making burrow nests, which means they can dig up both plants and destroy their root system while making your garden their home.
Not only that, but rat droppings and urine can contaminate your soil and can potentially spread disease, which can be a health risk for anyone touching the contaminated soil or the plants which have come from the soil.
While rats can be annoying, they are animals part of the local ecosystem and using harsh chemicals to keep them away is not only cruel but can hurt your local wildlife.
However, there are some very easy ways to discourage rats from your garden and stop them from ruining your plants according to gardening expert Ellen Christine, who focuses on eco-friendly lifestyles. On her blog Confessions of an Overworked Mom, Ellen said she had a few DIY methods for getting rid of rats which she has found “really work.”
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How to keep rats out of your garden
Planting Peppermint
Rats have highly sensitive noses and will keep out of places they consider to have repulsive scents, and are known to be deterred by strong-smelling herbs and flowers.
Ellen wrote: “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, Ellen warned that mint is an “aggressive” fast-growing plant that you will need to keep an eye on if you plant. She said: “[It] will have to be kept in check or it will take over your garden.”
Other plants which will keep rats away from your garden are marigolds, rosemary, lavender, onions and garlic daffodils according to Ellen.
Use Irish Spring soap
Ellen also has an unusual method which she swears by, which is to place the soap Irish Spring around your garden.
She wrote: “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.”
Irish Spring is a deodorant soap known for having a citrus, woodsy and floral scent and rats may be repelled by its strong smell.
Ellen wrote: “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
Mulching is a gardening method of placing a thick layer of natural material over the soil surrounding a plant. Not only will this help fertilise the plant, but it can suffocate nearby weeds and keep the plant warm throughout the frosty winter weather.
While mulching is an extremely helpful way to keep plants healthy, Ellen has said it often encourages rodents to come into gardens.
Ellen wrote: “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.
“Try using stones instead which won’t be as attractive. This is one of the easiest ways to keep rodents out of the garden.”
