The cheap and cheerful plant that will keep rats out of your garden, and you can use it in your cooking too
WHILE we love the warmer weather, it can often attracted uninvited visitors to your garden – including slugs, snails and rats.
If you are struggling to stop the rodents getting into your garden, there is a sweet smelling plant that will help deter them – and it’s completely non toxic.
As temperatures rise, these little critters will be attracted to any food you have in your garden including, bird seed, plants and your compost bin.
Rats will even dig through your household rubbish in the hopes of finding a small snack or items to line their nest.
Before you call the exterminator though, there is a much more humane approach to get rid of these pests and it costs less than a pound.
Even better, you won’t have to add extra fencing to stop them getting into your garden.
According to experts, mint is a natural deterrent for most rodents and will stop them making a home in your outdoor space.
This is because the strong scent will overwhelm their senses and force them to leave the area.
In fact, The Express says that adding a few mint plants along the perimeter of your garden and in your greenhouse should be enough to stop them invading your space.
You can pick up mint plants from most garden centers, with some supermarket like Ocado selling the herb for just £1.60.
It isn’t the only herb we’d recommend to use, as strong scented plants like garlic, basil and thyme are also often used as a deterrent.
By adding these to potent plants to your garden, it should deter any mice or rats from heading in.
However, there several alternative methods for those that are less green fingered.
This includes scattering the leaves along your fence for a quick fix, ensuring to top up your garden every couple of days to keep the pests away.
With a pack of fresh mint costing just 52p from Sainsbury’s, this is an easy and low cost way to get rid of the critters.
All of this methods are a steal, especially as humane rat traps can cost as much as £18.95 per trap from DIY stores like B&Q.
Even if you went with a less rodent friendly option, most garden centers will still sell traps for £8 each.
If you are still struggling to get to a garden centre, you can also soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and strategically place them around your property.
The essential oil starts from just £2.97 on Amazon, this is a simple way to stop rodents and can easily be topped up every few weeks.
Even better, this essential oil can be used to repel ticks, spiders, ants and cockroaches when used around your home.
With these hacks, your garden will be pest free through the summer without any harsh chemicals.
No wonder gardeners are all a buzz about this hack.
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