18 February 2024 , 12:27
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Dealing with annoying rodents wreaking havoc in our gardens can be a nightmare, but there's one thing you can do to tackle the problem.
We all pride ourselves on keeping our lawns neat and in tip-top shape throughout the year, and doing a few menial tasks allows our garden to look its best. Most gardeners will know how important it is to prune plants and get rid of pesky weeds as it can make all the difference to the overall appearance of your garden.
However, you'll have more to worry about when certain animals and pets are harming your beloved outdoor space, and ruining your flowers. Rodents can lurk in your garden and destroy your flowers when you least expect them, and it can be seriously demotivating.
Rats are excellent at hiding so it may take you a bit longer to notice their presence. They tend to dig up roots and destroy your flowers or crops when no one is looking and contaminate your soil. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your garden from wild animals and stray pets, without harming the environment or the animals themselves.
Although there are also some natural repellants to help you keep animals off of your property, according to animal expert Sam Bryant, from Glenlivet Wildlife, an effective yet natural way to get rid of rodents is using rat-repelling plants.
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He told The Express: "Incorporating rat-repellent plants into the garden can serve as a natural deterrent. These plants possess odours or tastes that rats find unpleasant." This deters rats from the areas as they won't step into plants that they consider to have a repulsive scent.
Some plants that stop rats from invading your garden include daffodils, marigolds, and mint, according to the expert. On why using mint is an effective method, he said: "Plant mint around the perimeter of the garden or near vulnerable plants to repel rats with its strong scent. Mint’s strong aroma can mask the scents of other plants, making them less attractive to rats."
The expert says that "marigolds emit an odour that rats find unpleasant" and that "planting them alongside vegetables or flowers can provide an added layer of protection." while rats dislike daffodils "because of their strong fragrance."