Rats can cause significant damage to your home and garden, gnawing through wood or tunnelling beneath concrete to reach food and shelter if they establish a nest. While many experts recommend chemical solutions, planting certain species can help ward them off naturally.
Rats have highly sensitive noses, and certain smells prove overwhelming for them, causing them to flee the area where the odour originates. Pest control specialists at Critter Control say there are plants that can help “keep rats away for good”.
Garlic and onions as deterrents
If you grow your own produce, rats may be drawn to it, but adding pungent garlic to your collection could encourage them to seek food elsewhere. While garlic's strong aroma may be appetising to humans, the scent is “incredibly abrasive to rats”, according to the experts.
If you prefer not to grow garlic or lack the space, you can still place the bulbs around your flower beds to achieve the same effect. Similarly, “rats despise the smell” of onions, which are straightforward to cultivate and provide a useful kitchen supply.
You can also use onions for rat prevention without growing them. Simply place a few slices of raw onion outside around your home to help “drive rats far from your property”.
Lavender for a fragrant barrier
Lavender is a beautiful, sweet-smelling purple herb, but its appeal goes beyond aesthetics. If growing vegetables is not your preference, consider planting lavender around the perimeter of your home to deter rats.
The plant is guaranteed to leave your outdoor space smelling delightful, and rats will “stay far away”, as lavender is another “one of the many scents that the nuisance rodents can't stand”. Its powerful aroma prevents rats from detecting potential food sources in the garden, making it a completely unappealing area for them.
