These are some of the best deterrents households can use to keep rats at bay in the garden (Image: Nigel Harris via Getty Images)
Pests can pose a serious headache for homeowners and garden enthusiasts across the country as spring gets underway. Rats and mice will be actively seeking out food and shelter, making gardens a prime target for unwanted visitors.
Many people, however, are keen to steer clear of commercial and chemical solutions, hoping to protect the other wildlife and plants that call their garden home. We asked experts to share the most effective natural defences that won’t cost a fortune, yet will keep pests firmly at bay as temperatures begin to climb. Here are the best natural deterrents to help rid your garden of rats and mice this spring.
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Peppermint oil is described as one of the ‘best’ natural defences you can use (Image: Getty)Ryan Kaila, waste and recycling expert at Kingfisher Direct – Peppermint oil
Ryan highlighted peppermint oil as one of the finest natural deterrents available for tackling pest problems. He said: “Peppermint oil is the most effective and one of the most popular deterrents. This is because the strong menthol scent of peppermint makes mice and rats avoid the area.
“Putting peppermint oil in your bins or around your bin areas can help to deter rats and mice outside, if rats in bins outside is a problem. All you have to do is put the oil on something such as cotton wool, napkins, etc. This should soak up the oil and hold off mice and rats.”
Consider planting strong-smelling herbs around the edge of the garden (Image: Getty)Victoria Parkinson, Gardening Expert at Arctic Cabins – Crushed chilli flakes or cayenne pepper
Victoria said: “This one is brilliantly simple, chilli contains capsaicin, the same compound that makes your mouth burn after a spicy curry. Rodents are extra sensitive to it because they can’t break it down properly. So when they sniff or nibble chilli-dusted areas, they get an unpleasant surprise that irritates their nose and mouth.
“They’ll quickly learn to associate that spot with a bad experience and move elsewhere. Best of all, birds aren’t bothered by capsaicin, so your feathered garden visitors stay perfectly happy.
“Sprinkle a thin line of chili flakes or cayenne powder right around the edges of your flower beds, align fence lines and directly at the entrance of any mouse holes you spot. If rain is forecast, mix two tablespoons of cayenne with a litre of warm water and a drop of washing-up liquid, then spray it onto plant stems and soil and then reapply every few days or after heavy rain.””
Mosh Latifi, co-owner of EcoCare Pest Management – Eucalyptus oil and used coffee grounds
Mosh said: “Eucalyptus oil is highly effective against rodents and is one we use to advise homeowners on when they want a chemical-free solution. The cineole in eucalyptus oil is both an irritant and a strong olfactory deterrent – rodents actively move away from it.
“Apply it by soaking rags or cloth strips and placing them near known entry points, garden sheds, log stores and bin areas. It’s also a practical choice for gardens with pets or children, as it’s safe once dry and widely available from health food shops and pharmacies.”
When it comes to using coffee grounds, you actually reap two rewards in one. Not only does it function as an effective pest repellent, it can also prove beneficial for the soil where it is spread.
Mosh explained: “Coffee grounds are a brilliant, zero-cost deterrent that most households already produce. The strong, bitter aroma interferes with a rodent’s ability to detect food sources nearby, making your garden far less attractive as a foraging ground.
“Scatter used grounds thickly around the base of bird feeders, compost bins and vegetable beds – all the spots where mice and rats typically investigate first. They’re also beneficial to the soil, so you’re getting a double benefit. Just top them up every few days, especially after rain washes them in.”
These are the best natural deterrents experts recommended to ward of pests (Image: Getty)Luke Newnes, gardening expert at Hillarys – Herbs
A variety of pungent herbs can either be left outside or cultivated in the garden to serve as a highly effective deterrent. Luke explained: “Planting fragrant herbs such as mint, lavender or rosemary can also help. These don’t guarantee rodents will disappear overnight, but they do make the garden far less appealing. Mint is a good choice, but it’s best grown in pots as it can spread quickly.”
How to prevent rats and mice from returning to gardens
Even before turning to any natural deterrents, there are several straightforward tasks homeowners can carry out in the garden to lower the risk of pests making an unwelcome appearance. They may seem trivial, but they can make a tangible difference to your outdoor space.
Luke said: “Just as important is removing what attracts mice and rats in the first place. Clearing away fallen bird seed, keeping food securely stored and turning compost regularly all make a big difference. Tidying up overgrown areas, wood piles and dense ground cover also removes the quiet, sheltered spots rodents like to nest in.”
He also shared some longer-term prevention strategies. Luke explained: “For a longer-term, wildlife-friendly solution, encouraging natural predators like owls can help keep numbers down. Something as simple as an owl box can have a real impact over time.”
Emily, garden and home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, echoed this view, adding: “Keeping rats and mice under control in and around the home is really about making the environment less attractive to them in the first place, rather than relying on reactive measures. Food sources should be removed entirely, so all waste needs to be stored in sealed bins, pet food should not be left out overnight, and compost heaps should be well managed so they do not become a feeding ground.
“Entry points are just as important, and even small gaps around sheds, pipework and air bricks can allow rodents inside, so these should be sealed as a priority.”
She also highlighted the importance of routine garden maintenance, noting it can make a “significant difference”. Emily continued: “Regular garden upkeep also makes a significant difference, particularly cutting back dense vegetation, removing piles of wood, leaves or debris, and keeping storage areas tidy and raised off the ground where possible. The key is consistency, as rodents are highly adaptable and will quickly return if conditions remain favourable.”
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