A gardening enthusiast who goes by the username Plant Lover has shared six common plants that can help keep mice and rats out of your garden by exploiting their sensitivity to certain smells. Rodents are active throughout the year and can be spotted in your garden at any time, but they tend to be particularly prevalent during autumn and winter, when they venture further afield in search of food and shelter.
Peppermint and Lavender
The expert started by advocating peppermint, as mice in particular have a strong aversion to its powerful menthol fragrance. Peppermint oil is frequently recommended as a rodent deterrent indoors, but unlike drops of the oil, the living plant retains its potent scent for considerably longer, making it far more effective at keeping rodents away. Peppermint should be planted close to your home to discourage mice from approaching doors and other potential entry points.
Lavender is a wonderful addition to any garden, given its wide range of benefits. Not only does it repel mice and rats with its "overwhelming" scent, but flies are equally put off by its powerful aroma. At the same time, bees and other pollinators absolutely love it, meaning you'll be driving away unwanted pests while welcoming beneficial insects.
Daffodils and Marigolds
Daffodils serve as an excellent pest repellent in spring, though they may not keep rats and mice away throughout the entire year. According to the expert, rodents "avoid the bitter, toxic bulbs entirely". However, they only bloom for a brief period in early spring. Should you wish to grow daffodils, the bulbs ought to be planted in September, allowing several months for root development before they burst into bloom in February and March.
For a vibrant splash of orange in your garden that will keep rats and mice away, marigolds are well worth considering. Much like lavender, marigolds are effective at deterring rodents as well as a host of other garden pests. Bear in mind, however, that marigolds are frequently used as a trap crop, or a plant which insects and other pests are drawn to used to draw them away from fruit and vegetables. If you aren't growing crops, your marigolds could be devoured before they have a chance to ward off any pests.
Garlic and Mint
Cultivating garlic in your garden can prove to be a superb rodent deterrent, as its pungent aroma conceals the food trails that rats and mice depend upon to navigate. Better still, you can harvest the garlic for use in the kitchen, making it doubly worthwhile.
The final plant the expert recommended cultivating is mint. Like peppermint, mint can repel rodents due to its powerful scent that they find intolerable. Nevertheless, growing mint requires one important consideration. You should never plant mint straight into the soil, as it can rapidly proliferate and dominate your entire garden. Rather, contain it in a pot where you can manage its growth, and position it close to doorways and foundations to create a rodent barrier.
