Rats ‘hate the smell’ of one beautiful flowering plant

Rats not only routinely wreak havoc both inside and outside our homes by chewing through wood, insulation and wires, but they also pose a health hazard by carrying potentially harmful or fatal diseases.

People can become infected with these diseases in a variety of ways, including bites and scratches, and rat urine, feces or saliva can also be a risk. Therefore, it is extremely important to deter rats and other rodents such as mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and squirrels from entering our living spaces.

Expert Sam Jenkinson from Tiger has prepared five tips for keeping rats and mice out of gardens and garden buildings.

“In addition to causing potential health risks, rodents can cause serious damage and have been known to damage parts of the home and garden that can be expensive to repair,” he said.

“This can occur through the destruction of electrical components due to chewing of wires and cables, which can also result in the risk of fire or flooding due to chewing of pipes. Rats can also chew through wooden structures such as doors, floorboards and garden sheds, which can weaken structural members, and chew through insulating materials, which can reduce their effectiveness.

“They can also damage furniture, creating holes and creating a nest in the house. The presence of rats can also result in secondary infestations with other pests such as fleas, mites and larger predators, which can cause further damage.”

1. Plant peppermint

Sam says rats hate the smell of mint.

“So in the area surrounding the garden building we suggest planting peppermint to stop it trying to sneak inside. Not only will this stop pests from entering your garden building, but delicate purple flowers will also bloom in summer – brightening up your garden space.

In fact, you can also make your own peppermint spray using 10 drops of peppermint oil, 1 cup of white vinegar (or 3-5 drops of dishwashing liquid), and 1-2 cups of water.

Thanks to this, you can spray the mixture in corridors and places where you have noticed rat activity, and they will soon disappear.

2. Remove food sources

“Garden buildings, especially in summer, are often used as a place for entertaining and receiving guests. If you don’t remove food sources from your garden building, it can attract rats and other pests. Make sure you thoroughly clean all outdoor buildings after use to remove any traces of food,” says Sam.

3. Seal any holes

Rats can squeeze through very small holes, so if your garden buildings have holes, they will definitely get through them.

Sam explains why tongue and groove boards like Shiplap are a good investment.

“Sheds with overlap or OSB (like large particle board) tend to have more gaps due to weather or age, so tongue-and-groove boards are better at keeping out intruders, large and small. It is important to seal any holes in garden buildings and other gardens. Wire mesh sealants can be used for this purpose.

4. Use ultrasonic devices

Connecting an ultrasonic device can really help. The same explains that these devices emit high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans, but can act as an irritant to rats and vermin, repelling them.

“However, this system can only be effective as a short-term solution, so other additional options should be considered to ensure the pests are gone for good.”

5. Keep garden buildings clean

“Rats are attracted to cluttered and dirty places, so it is recommended that you regularly clean and tidy up your garden building, removing any external debris such as leaves and sticks, and any materials that could be used for nesting.”