Chase away rats by using the right plants: 6 plants with strong scents
Spotting a rat in your garden can be a scary and frustrating experience: rats are social animals and if you spot one, you will certainly soon start seeing others. The temptation to resort to using commercial, chemical products to get rid of rats quickly can certainly be strong. But instead of resorting to expensive and potentially harmful products, you could use some all-natural methods to solve your rat problem.
In fact, several plants that have intense aromas, act as natural repellents to rats and will help you get rid of them quickly.
1. Laurel
An aromatic plant widely used in kitchens as a flavoring, laurel can be easily grown in your garden and can be very effective in repelling rats. You can place some laurel leaves (aka bay leaves) where rats enter your home and/or near your pantry. Laurel leaves are toxic for rats, so they will stay away.
2. Basil
Another aromatic plant frequently grown in gardens for culinary purposes, is basil. When placed on windowsills (or other potential access points) basil is an excellent deterrent for rats, as they don't like its smell. Dried basil leaves (along with laurel leaves) will keep rats out of your pantry (or wherever else you have spotted them).
3. Garlic
The sulfur compounds in garlic are good for human health, but they are also excellent repellers of mice, rats and insects. Cultivate garlic in your garden or on the balcony and make a garlic-infused spray that you can spray around potential rodent access points into your home. Alternatively, you can buy some garlic essential oil and use this in the same way to repel potential "home invaders".
4. Euphorbia
Also known as a mole repeller, Euphorbia (aka spurge), is widely used in vegetable gardens to keep rats and mice at bay. Plant Euphorbia near the entrances to your house and in your garden to ward off rodent pests. Be sure to wear gloves when handling this plant as its sap can irritate the skin. To be on the safe side, keep small children and pets away from Euphorbia plants.
5. Mint
Mint is another plant widely used in the kitchen and is effective in keeping rats and mice away, as they do not like its strong aroma.
6. Marigolds
Finally, if you'd prefer using flowering plants to spice plants, get yourself some marigolds. Marigolds contain a compound that is toxic to rats and other pests and will keep them away from your home. Place marigold pots next to the entrances to your house and/or on your window sills or use these plants as borders for your flowerbeds or driveways.
What methods do you use to keep rats away from your home?
