Repelling Rats with MintRepelling Rats with Mint Rats can be a nuisance in gardens, but there’s a cheap and effective way to keep them away: mint plants. A gardener shared her experience using mint to deter rats on Facebook. After planting mint behind her shed and along her fence, she noticed that the rats disappeared. Why Mint Works Mint contains a strong smell that overwhelms rats’ senses, forcing them to leave the area. How to Use Mint * Plant mint around the edges of your garden and in your greenhouse. * Purchase mint plants from garden centers or supermarkets for as little as £1.60. Alternative Methods * Spread fresh mint leaves along your fence. * Mulch your garden every few days to keep pests away. * Use strong-smelling herbs like garlic, basil, and thyme as deterrents. Additional Tips for Pest Control * Sprinkle acidic household vinegar in paper towels to repel moths in your wardrobe. * Use herbs and spices like cinnamon, chili pepper, and garlic to repel flying ants. * Plant eucalyptus, lavender, and lemongrass to deter mosquitoes.
THERE are numerous ways to get rid of pesky rats in your garden, but some of them can be quite expensive.
Luckily, one gardener has found a cheap and fun way to keep them away for good, and it only costs you a euro.
Rats can take over your garden if you don’t deal with them quicklyPhoto: Getty A gardener shared the plant she swears by to keep them at bayPhoto: Getty
Rats can be a real nuisance to homeowners, often leaving a trail of droppings and eating plants.
And if you have one, chances are there are many more.
The rodents have a gestation period of three weeks and can give birth to about 14 young. babies per small amount.
All those rats can quickly add up and leave you with quite a big problem.
That’s why a gardener, Sarah, went to the Facebook page Gardening Hints and Tips to ask for help.
“I would like to plant some plants behind my shed and along my fence in the hopes that they will deter the rat run that has clearly developed,” she wrote.
“Can anyone advise me on plants that repel rats?
“Part sun, part shade. Our garden is really small, so ignoring them is not an option, because the kids go outside and disturb them in the evening. In our previous, much larger garden I just left them alone.”
Keep it Clean: How to Prevent Pests from Taking Over This Summer
After some advice from other gardening enthusiasts, Sarah decided to buy a mint plant to keep the pests at bay.
“My garden smells like peppermint now. I’ll let you know if it makes a difference. Wishful thinking perhaps, but it’s easy to try,” she said.
And sure enough, the mint plants worked wonders for Sarah, who updated her post to let others know about the trick.
She said, “The mint plants work! I saw some rats, but when they got to the plants, they couldn’t run away fast enough.”
According to experts, mint is a natural deterrent for most rodents and prevents them from taking up residence in your outdoor space.
This is because the strong smell overwhelms their senses and forces them to leave the room.
According to The Express, simply planting a few mint plants around the edges of your garden and in your greenhouse is enough to keep them from invading your space.
Mint plants can be purchased from most garden centres. Some supermarkets, such as Ocado, will sell for as little as £1.60.
It is not the only herb we recommend, strong smelling plants such as garlic, basil and thyme are also often used as a deterrent.
Adding these to vigorous plants in your garden can help keep mice and rats away.
However, there are several alternative methods for those with less green fingers.
This means you can spread the leaves along your fence for a quick fix and mulch your garden every few days to keep pests away.
A packet of fresh mint costs just 52p at Sainsbury’s. This is an easy and cheap way to get rid of these critters.
All of these methods are a bargain, especially as humane rat traps can cost as much as £18.95 each from DIY stores like B&Q.
Keep pests out all summer long
IF you want to ensure your home is pest-free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil. Spray it liberally on your patio or balcony to keep them at bay.
Moths – Acidic household vinegar is effective in repelling moths. Soak some paper towels in vinegar and leave them in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – Herbs and spices such as cinnamon, mint, chili pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves or garlic have a deterrent effect.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil scents can help repel mosquitoes from inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
