The one household item rats 'hate' that will see them 'sprint in the opposite direction'

Ash Read, the founder of Indoor Plants, has come forward with invaluable advice for gardeners harassed by rats.

Offering reassurance to distressed gardeners, Ash provides insight into how certain plants' scents are abhorrent to rats. The gardening expert said: "Rats in a garden can turn a tranquil spot into a nightmare."

The expert specifically recommends rosemary as a potential fix, suggesting: "Rosemary's presence in the garden can often make rats think twice before settling."

In his battle against the rodents, marigolds also play a key role due to their unique aroma, serving as a rodent repellent.

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Peppermint emerges as another resource, with its potent odour acting as a rat repellent. Read comments: "Meanwhile, peppermint isn't just great for tea, its robust aroma sends rats sprinting in the opposite direction."

For a homemade solution, Read advocates making a peppermint spray by blending essential oil with water and spraying it around possible entry points and cherished greenery, as previously reported by the Express.

Expanding on his natural repellent tips, Read suggests employing additional essential oils like lemon oil, citronella oil, and eucalyptus oil to keep the rodents away. He asserts that flowers are key in repelling rats. He added: "The same goes for chrysanthemums but my favourite is lavender, it's a love-hate relationship, we love it and rats hate it," reports the Mirror.

He further stresses the significance of cleanliness in combatting rats, recommending: "Rats also thrive in messy, overgrown places. So, make sure to maintain a neat garden. Short grass, minimal overgrowth and organised garden tools are your allies."

Emphasising the critical nature of tidiness, he adds: "It's like keeping your room tidy, fewer places to hide means fewer unwanted guests. Occasionally give your garden a little shuffle too.

"By moving things around, you're playing a fun game of break the rat routine. Block access to decking and garden structures too."

Carlos Garcia, son of Total Clean's founder, gave valuable recommendations about utilising specific plants to deter rats.

The specialist mentioned: "Some plants such as mint, lavender, rosemary, marigold, daffodils, fennel, garlic and onions are less attractive to rats due to their scent and taste."

He further advised those with green fingers to "regularly monitor the garden for any signs of rat activity and address these issues promptly to prevent an infestation" and shared a clever tip: placing garlic cloves at entry points, refreshing them frequently, especially after rain, can help deter pesky rodents.