Rats become more visible in gardens in August, but a cheap and effective natural deterrent is already in most kitchens. Pest control expert Louie Scarlett from Total Pest Control says placing onions and garlic around the garden can repel rats, as it is one of the few smells they “can’t stand.”
Why August is peak rat season
August is often when rats become more noticeable in gardens, and acting now can prevent a bigger problem in autumn. Warm weather intensifies the smell of bins, compost and fallen fruit, making it easier for rodents to find food. Young rats also start becoming independent and, as it gets cooler, they seek warm shelters, increasing the chance they will enter sheds or homes.
Many people resort to traps or poison, but these can harm wildlife and cause unnecessary suffering. A natural alternative is to use onions and garlic, which contain strong sulfur compounds that produce a pungent odour rats find unpleasant. Rats have a heightened sense of smell, so these compounds irritate their sensitive noses and make the smell overwhelming.
How onions and garlic work
Unfamiliar smells make rats more cautious, prompting them to move on quickly in case predators or other dangers are nearby. Having onions and garlic in the garden also makes it harder for rats to find food and assess safety, encouraging them to seek an easier food source elsewhere.
Scarlett said: “The smell is a strong deterrent for rats. Place chopped garlic or onions near known entry points or areas with signs of infestation. (Just be cautious with pets around onions—they can be toxic to dogs and cats.)”
How to use the deterrent
To use this method, crush several garlic cloves and chop one onion. Place them in a small breathable container, such as an old sock or a jar with holes in the lid. This allows the strong smell to reach rats while preventing other garden pests from eating the vegetables. Position the containers near potential entry points like gates, hedges and fences.
If you have pets, take care, as garlic and onions are toxic if eaten. Alternatively, add crushed garlic and chopped onion to a spray bottle filled with water and use the mixture around the garden.
Try this solution for a week, and hopefully all the rats will have moved on. However, rats only enter a property if they can smell food, so ensure bins are securely closed, clear away fallen fruit, and avoid leaving food or bird feed accessible. Keeping the garden clean and using this natural deterrent should stop rodents from returning.
