Four plants that 'repel' rats and 'keep them at bay' - and they're all easy to grow

Garden rat infestations can be a real headache, and many people's first instinct is to reach for poison or traps.

However, if you're searching for a natural and safe yet effective method to keep rodents at bay in your outdoor space, then planting certain plants that repel rats and other pests could be the answer.

Pest control specialists at Buzz Boss have revealed four plants that not only "add charm" to your garden but also act as "formidable allies in your battle against rats", helping to "repel" them and "keep them at bay".

From vegetables to spices and flowers, all suggestions are easy to plant. Read below for the full list, as reported by the Express.

Four easy to grow garden plants that repel rats

1. Lavender

Lavender, known for its calming and relaxing effects, is also an excellent "great rat repellent" due to its strong scent that "rats dislike".

The essential oils in lavender serve as "natural repellents for rats and other pests", including mosquitoes, flies, and moths.

This perennial can reach up to 60 cm in height, with grey-green foliage and purple-blue flowers that appear from late spring to early summer.

It's versatile enough to be planted in pots, borders, or beds, and can even be used to create hedges or ground cover.

2. Onion

Onions are "a nemesis of rats", say the experts, who explained that the vegetable acts as a potent rat deterrent because of their intense smell and flavour.

The experts highlighted that onions contain sulphur compounds which irritate the eyes and nose (of rats as well) and allicin, which can lead to anemia and oxygen deprivation in rats if consumed.

Onions are a cool-season crop that can be cultivated from seeds, sets, or transplants. They favour full sun and rich, moist soil.

Harvesting can take place when the bulbs are fully formed and the tops begin to yellow and fall over. The bulbs can be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place for several months.

3. Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are stunning flowers available in a range of colours and shapes. They're also "effective rat repellents" due to their "high pyrethrin content", a natural insecticide that impacts the nervous system of rats and other pests.

Pyrethrin is found in the yellow centres of the flowers, so opt for varieties with prominent disks.

Chrysanthemums are "super easy to grow" and need full sun and well-drained soil. They bloom from late summer to autumn and can be planted in borders, containers, or beds.

To maintain these flowers' health, water them regularly, fertilise them once a month, and prune them after flowering.

4. Black pepper

This spice is a powerful rat repellent, which contains piperine, a compound that "stimulates the pain receptors of rats and other mammals, causing them to sneeze, cough, and scurry away immediately".

Black pepper is a tropical vine that can grow up to four meters long. It has glossy green leaves and small white flowers that produce green berries that turn red when ripe.

These berries are dried and ground to make black pepper.

Black pepper needs warm and humid conditions, partial shade, and rich, moist soil. It can be grown in pots, trellises, or greenhouses and can be harvested when the berries are fully developed.

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