Rats have a strong sense of smell and they’re not keen on some scents so you can add some plants to your garden to keep them away.
David Denyer, flower expert at Eflorist, shared that lavender plants can help deter rats.
Lavender plants can help keep rats away from your home and garden
David says “lavender is a lovely purple herb” but it’s not just the beauty of it that makes it a good plant to have in your garden.
He said: “The lavender’s strong smell will stop the rats from smelling any potential food in the garden, making it a zone of no interest to them.”
Does lavender always keep rats away?
Another expert, Nigel Kemp from JWS Waste, said lavender keeps rats away “to an extent”.
He shared: “Rats are believed to dislike the smell of lavender and other strong-scented herbs. The aroma can interfere with their sharp sense of smell, which they rely on to detect food and danger. However, and this is important, it’s not a guaranteed response.
Native wild animals in the UK
“If rats are hungry, desperate, or used to the environment, they may ignore it. Lavender can help deter them from certain areas, but it won’t reliably keep them away if there’s food or shelter to tempt them back.”
When are rats active in the UK?
If you’ve noticed rats or droppings in your garden, you might wonder what time of day they are likely to visit again.
The RSPCA explains: “Rodents are naturally active at night, although when they live near humans they’re more likely to come out during the day too.
Recommended reading:
“They’re great climbers and swimmers, so they can live in a variety of habitats.”
Rats feed on various things, the animal charity says: “Their favourite foods are seeds and cereals, which is why they’re often attracted to bird food that spills onto the grass.
“But they will also eat insects, meat, fish, fruits, nuts, berries, plants, vegetables, fungi, and eggs.”
