Rats are an unwelcome sight in any garden, but there are ways to keep them at bay. An expert from MyJobQuote.co.uk has shared the best natural methods to deter the pests, and it will only cost you 12p
Rats can sneak their way into your garden causing chaos(Image: Nigel Harris via Getty Images)
Gardening enthusiasts frequently face challenges with pests like slugs and snails. However, rats can be an especially troublesome issue for those wanting to enjoy their tranquility of the garden without disturbance.
Robert Collins has offered his expert advice for keeping these unwelcome guests out of your garden, highlighting a household staple that you’ll often find at home. Essential oils are hailed as an excellent method for deterring the troublesome rodents.
Regarding essential oils, Mr Collins MyJobQuote.co.uk from advises: “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 points out that the strong scent of such oils acts as a rat repellent and goes on to explain that you can create a DIY rat-repellent spray by mixing an essential oil with water in a spray bottle. For those keen to try this solution, he suggests a mixture of one part essential oil to nine parts water and advises spraying it along the edges of the garden and any popular rat paths, reports the Mirror.
Onions
Onions also come into play, according to Mr Collins, who says they are effective rat deterrents due to their strong odour which rats find off-putting. He suggests chopping up a few onions and positioning them around the perimeter of your garden or at any known entryways.
Onions can surprisingly be very efficient in deterring rats from your garden(Image: Stefanie Grewel via Getty Images)
This remedy is not only simple but also economical, with onions available from local supermarkets at low costs as little as 21p from Tesco or 95p from Waitrose.
Steel wool
Steel wool is another suggested option. It can be used to deter rats from entering your garden. The expert suggested: “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 added: “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.”
How to seal up entry points for rats? Mr Collins recommends using steel wool to effectively 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 cautioned about potential entry points via chimneys. In this case, you should install chimney grates. However, this task 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 concluded, “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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