Natural Plant Deterrents for Mice and Rats
Mice and rats can make their way into your garden at any time of year as they hunt for food and shelter, but one gardener has shared a series of plants that can naturally deter them. Rodents are active all year long, though they tend to be most active during the autumn and winter months, as they wander further to find food and shelter, according to a gardening article by Zahna Eklund on South Wales Echo.
Spotting the occasional rodent in your garden isn't necessarily something to be worried about, but if you have crops growing that you don't want them to eat, or you're worried about them coming into your home, there are some things you can do to keep them at bay. A gardening fan who posts under the username Plant Lover shared six common plants that work to keep mice and rats out of your garden because they don't like the smell.
The Six Plants
Peppermint is the first recommendation, as mice in particular hate the strong menthol scent it creates. Unlike oil drops, the plant maintains its strong scent longer, making it more effective at keeping rodents at bay. Plant Lover suggests planting peppermint near your home to deter mice from doors and other entry points, either directly in the ground or in pots placed around the garden.
Lavender is fantastic plant to have in the garden, as it deters mice and rats with its "overwhelming" scent, and also deters flies with its strong smell. At the same time, bees and other pollinators can't get enough of it, so you'll be keeping out unwanted pests while inviting important insects in.
Daffodils are another plant that rodents avoid, as they "avoid the bitter, toxic bulbs entirely." However, the plant only flowers for a short period.
Marigolds help deter rodents and other garden pests, but can also be used as a trap crop, according to Plant Lover.
Garlic's pungent smell masks the food trails that rats and mice rely on to move around, making it another effective deterrent.
Mint can deter rodents because of its strong smell, but Plant Lover warns that it should never be grown directly in the ground, as it can spread aggressively.
Pest Control Experts' Recommendations
Pest control specialists from Eliminated LTD have also revealed several fragrances and aromas that both rats and mice detest. Lavender is a key scent, with the specialists noting that mice and rats "hate the smell of lavender." Lavender's essential oil comprises compounds including linalool and linalyl acetate, which are recognised for their soothing influence on people. Critter Stop also recommended positioning sachets of dried lavender in locations where mice are prone to gain access.
Citrus oil is another powerful aroma despised by rats and mice, featuring limonene, present in lemon, orange and grapefruit rinds. Citrus oils such as lemon and orange are "very effective at keeping rats and mice away."
Peppermint contains menthol, which aggravates mice and rats' nasal passages and leaves them disoriented. The experts noted that when mice encounter the scent of peppermint, they "associate it with danger and fear."
Chilli powder is also "an effective home remedy for getting rid of mice because it smells terrible to them." Approximately two tablespoons of chilli powder per litre of water is required for a mixture.