Gardening buffs are no strangers to battling pests like slugs and snails, but rats present a particularly vexing challenge to those who wish to enjoy their plants in peace.
Robert Collins from MyJobQuote.co.uk has shared his top tips for keeping these unwanted visitors away from your garden. Better yet, it involves a common household item you’re likely to have on hand—essential oils stand out as a go-to measure for fending off the pesky rodents.
When it comes to essential oils, Mr Collins recommends: “This is one of the safest and most effective natural ways to get rid of rats. Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Citronella are great examples of essential oils that are brilliant at deterring rats.”
He explains that the potent aroma of such essences acts as a deterrent. He adds that you can create a homemade rat-repellent spray by combining an essential oil with water in a spritz bottle.
For anyone eager to try this method, he suggests mixing one part essential oil to nine parts water and spraying the concoction along garden boundaries and spots where rats might frequent, as reported by North Wales Live.
Mr Collins reveals that you can use onions to deter rats. Their pungent smell can prevent them from wanting to enter the garden.
He recommends slicing few onions and scattering them around your garden’s perimeter or any obvious entry points.Onions can be easily sourced from your local supermarket, with prices as low as 21p at Tesco or 95p at Waitrose.
Steel wool can be used to block rats’ access to your garden. The expert advised: “If there are any visible access points where you know the rats are entering and exiting from, stuff some steel wool into these gaps.
He continued: “Steel wool is a great barrier as it’s difficult for rats to nibble at steel wool. They will eventually give up when they find they can’t get through it.”
Mr Collins suggests using steel wool to best seal rat entry points. He advised, “Fill the gaps with steel wool and then put caulk around the steel wool to ensure it stays in place. Alternatively, you can use spray foam to keep it in place.” If there are cracks or openings in your walls, you can apply caulking, which will create an airtight seal that protects your home from pests.
He also warns of potential entry points via chimneys. In this case, you should install chimney grates. Although, this is best left to professionals. You should also seal any vents with mouse mesh to prevent access. If there are gaps in your roof, you can also fill these with sealants, roof tar, or tiles.
He added, “Whenever you seal a gap to prevent rats from accessing your property, it’s important to always use metal. Rats can chew through most materials.”
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