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The last thing you want when you’ve transformed your garden into an oasis is the arrival of unwanted guests.
Rats are not only considered vermin, but they are also nightmare pests for gardeners trying to maintain an outdoor space, especially during the colder months of the year.
The small creatures can wreak havoc on gardens by digging up plants and destroying roots to bury food, while bird feeders provide an easy meal and further encourage rats to nest and breed.
If they build a nest on your property, they can multiply quickly, where rat droppings and urine can also contaminate the soil and potentially spread disease.
However, an animal expert has revealed an effective but natural way to drive rodents out of gardens.
For most people, especially avid gardeners, rats are not only considered vermin but also nightmarish pests when trying to maintain an outdoor space.
Sam Bryant, of Glenlivet Wildlifesuggests using certain plants and flowers to deter rats, as some of the smells we humans enjoy can be frightening to rodents.
One particular odor that offends rats is the smell of mint, and planting it around the perimeter of the garden could be a good idea to keep them away.
Sam told him The express: ‘PPlant mint around the perimeter of the garden or near vulnerable plants to repel rats with its strong odor.
“The strong aroma of mint can mask the odors of other plants, making them less attractive to rats.”
However, mint can spread quickly once planted in the ground, so it’s important to check on it regularly to make sure it doesn’t overgrow or overtake other plants.
One of the best solutions is to plant mint in pots to control its growth and place it close to the house, such as on the kitchen windowsill, where it can receive plenty of sunlight and warmth.
As spring approaches, the season is known to welcome the blooming of certain floral species, including daffodils, which prove to be an excellent deterrent to rodents.
Rats don’t like the strong scent of daffodils, but the plant also contains alkaloids that are poisonous to the creatures.
One particular odor that offends rats is the smell of mint, and planting it around the perimeter of the garden could be a good idea to keep them away.
As spring approaches, the season is known to welcome the blooming of particular floral species, including daffodils, which happen to be an excellent deterrent to rodents.
Another natural method that can be used to scare away rats from gardens is to plant marigolds next to crops, as they emit an odor that rats find especially unpleasant.
Sam explained: ‘Rats are known to not like the taste and smell of daffodils. Strategically planting these bulbs can help deter them.”
Ideally, daffodils should be planted in a border around the garden or among vulnerable plants to create a deterrent.
Another natural method that can be used to scare away rats from gardens is to plant marigolds next to crops, as they emit an odor that rats find especially unpleasant.
The expert revealed that the plants emit an unpleasant odor for rats and recommended planting them next to vegetables or flowers to give them an “additional layer of protection.”
Meanwhile, another gardening expert has come up with a trick to stop snails and slugs destroying garden plants – and it only costs a few cents.