Three natural scents that will keep rats away from your garden without using chemicals

Discovering rats in your garden can be a real concern as they are known for spreading disease and causing damage by digging up plant roots. If not addressed promptly, you could be dealing with a full-blown infestation.

Many individuals resort to using traps or poison to eliminate these unwanted visitors, but according to Toby Bateson of Hammer, a pest control firm, such methods can be extremely inhumane. He commented: “Conventional pest control can cause damage and suffering to rodents, as well as causing poisons to enter the food chain.”

This has led some to look for natural rat repellants, which are often more environmentally friendly and safer for pets, while reducing the suffering caused to the rats themselves. Rats have extremely sensitive noses, which makes them particularly averse to strong smells. Introducing certain odors into your garden can act as an effective deterrent, creating an unfavorable environment that suggests a lack of food or potential danger, the Express reports.

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So what scents can help keep rats away?

Using strong plant-based essential oils is one of the most effective strategies to keep rats out of your garden.

Mint

The aroma of peppermint oil can disrupt the rat’s sense of smell. To use it effectively, mix a few drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and apply it to areas of your garden where you suspect rat activity.

Toby advised: “Peppermint oil is a natural rat repellent that many people find effective.”

“It can be mixed with water and sprayed in areas where rats are causing a problem. The smell may disappear within a few days, so you may need to reapply regularly.”

citronella

Citronella is not only effective against gnats, but it is a very popular and effective natural method of keeping mosquitoes at bay, making it the perfect deterrent to use during the summer.

Toby said: “Citronella is another essential oil that can be used to keep rats away. Its lemony scent can disorient rodents and hide their tracks.”

“Rotating different oils can be more effective than just using the same oil all the time. Rats are neophobic, so anything new will upset them, but they can get used to changes over time. This is a good reason to mix things up a bit.”

Eucalyptus

Rats will also find the strong smell of eucalyptus repulsive, and you can either buy eucalyptus oil or scatter eucalyptus leaves in areas you suspect a rat might be near.

Toby said: “Eucalyptus oil is another pungent ingredient you can use to keep rats away. Use in a spray or soak in cotton balls and leave it where the rodents hang out and hopefully they’ll think twice and leave the area.”

What natural methods should you never use on rats?

A popular but inhumane tip online for deterring rodents is to try using cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You should never use anything extremely spicy to keep rats away, as it can burn the rodents’ eyes and they won’t be able to clean them. This can cause the rats to panic, hurting themselves to try to stop the burning, and is generally very cruel as it will cause them a lot of pain.

Not only that, but cayenne pepper will also harm other local wildlife, pets or neighborhood dogs and cats, making it dangerous to the local environment. Instead, there are many other natural ways to keep rats away, such as growing certain plants in your garden, as well as other repellents, such as sprinkling lavender around your borders, without having to address .

However, one of the most effective ways to avoid rats in your garden is to simply make sure there are no food or water sources for them to live on.

Make sure there are no pet bowls full of food or bird feeders near the ground in your garden, pick up any fruit that falls from plants and keep rubbish sealed and rats will naturally stay away from your property . in the shortest time.