Rat infestations in gardens can be extremely frustrating, and the first thing most people will turn to is poison or bait.
If you would prefer to look for a more natural and safe, yet effective, option to prevent a rodent problem in your garden, then you should consider growing certain plants that deter rats and even other unwanted pests.
Pest control experts at Buzz Boss have shared four plants that “add charm” to your garden and “serve as formidable allies in your battle against rats” as they “repel” and “keep them at bay”.
1. Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant herb famous for its soothing and relaxing properties, but it’s also a “great rat repellent”, as it has a strong and pleasant scent that “rats dislike”.
Lavender contains essential oils that act as “natural repellents for rats and other pests”, such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths.
This perennial plant can grow up to 60 cm tall with grey-green leaves and purple-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer.
It can be planted in pots, borders, or beds and can also be used as a hedge or a ground cover.
2. Onion
This cooking staple is “a nemesis of rats”, according to the experts. They said: “It’s a powerful rat repellent because of its pungent smell and taste.”
The pros explained that onions contain sulphur compounds that irritate the eyes and nose (of rats, too) and allicin, which can cause anemia and oxygen deprivation in rats if ingested.
Onion is a cool-season crop that can be grown from seeds, sets, or transplants. They prefer full sun and rich, moist soil.
It can be harvested when the bulbs are fully formed and the tops start to yellow and fall over. You can store the bulbs in a cool, dry, and dark place for several months.
3. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are beautiful flowers that come in a variety of colours and shapes. They’re also “effective rat repellents” thanks to their “high pyrethrin content”, a natural insecticide that affects the nervous system of rats and other pests.
Pyrethrin is found in the yellow centres of the flowers, so make sure to choose varieties with prominent disks.
Chrysanthemums are “super easy to grow” and require full sun and well-drained soil. They bloom from late summer to fall and can be planted in borders, containers, or beds.
To keep these flowers healthy, water them regularly, fertilise them once a month, and prune them after flowering.
4. Black pepper
This spice is a potent rat repellent. Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that “stimulates the pain receptors of rats and other mammals, causing them to sneeze, cough, and scurry away immediately”.
Black pepper is a tropical vine that can grow up to four meters long. It has glossy green leaves and small white flowers that produce green berries that turn red when ripe. These berries are dried and ground to make black pepper.
Black pepper needs warm and humid conditions, partial shade, and rich, moist soil. It can be grown in pots, trellises, or greenhouses and can be harvested when the berries are fully developed.
