Rats will ’scurry away’ from your garden for good if you sprinkle 1 kitchen item outside

Pest control experts recommend sprinkling one simple kitchen seasoning in gardens before spring to deter rats and mice from destroying plants.

Angela Patrone Senior Lifestyle Reporter

00:11, 16 Mar 2026

Rats will ’scurry away’ from your garden for good if you sprinkle 1 kitchen item outside(Image: alder7 via Getty Images)

As March arrives with its array of gardening tasks, pest control specialists have revealed a simple trick to protect your garden from unwanted visitors ahead of spring. Three experts recommend scattering black pepper throughout your garden to ward off troublesome rodents such as rats and mice.

This preventative measure should be implemented before spring to safeguard your cherished plants from damage.

Rather than waiting for rodents to appear, taking proactive steps now can save considerable hassle later – after all, prevention is often the most effective form of pest control.

Black pepper contains piperine, a compound that researchers have found to be lethal for rodents. Piperine functions as an antibacterial agent whilst giving pepper its characteristic taste.

Rats find black pepper aroma unappealing (Image: nobtis via Getty Images)

Studies suggest this substance may also suppress appetite in female rats, diminishing their inclination to breed and consequently reducing offspring numbers.

Ricky Young, a pest control specialist and proprietor of Young’s Pest Control, explains that rats find both black pepper and stronger varieties like cayenne particularly off-putting.

He said, “Rats dislike the strong scent of black pepper, so sprinkling black pepper around areas where rats are can help to keep rats away.”

Pest control professionals at Buzz Boss have described black pepper as a “potent rat repellent” that activates pain receptors in rats and other mammals, “causing them to sneeze, cough, and scurry away”.

Specialists at Bioactive Pest Control have echoed this sentiment, stating: “Black pepper has a strong, pungent smell that can deter rats.”

They recommend: “Scatter ground black pepper near suspected rat activity zones to disrupt their sense of smell and encourage them to leave.”

You can utilise black pepper on its own or combine it with cayenne pepper for an even stronger effect.

However, the deterrent method does have its drawbacks as the tiny pepper flakes can be easily swept away, kicked, or washed away, particularly when used outdoors.

If you’re keen to try this method, larger pieces of peppercorn can be used to create piles or fill corners.