Rats are your typical unwelcome guests in gardens, often viewed as pests due to their potential to spread serious diseases. These rodents tend to make their homes under decking, in sheds or greenhouses, and compost heaps.

As they are primarily nocturnal, gardeners may not spot them directly, but there are other signs to watch out for. These include tunnels, tracks alongside walls, fences or buildings that are up to 10cm wide.

Gardeners might also notice cylindrical droppings, gnawed wood, or parallel teeth marks in crops. But how can one permanently bid farewell to these nuisances?

The most common method of rat removal from gardens involves the use of rat poison and traps. However, these are toxic and can pose a threat to wildlife, pets, and humans.

Gardening experts at Primrose have instead shared three natural, yet “effective” methods to permanently rid gardens of rats.

Essential oils

Rats possess “one of the best senses of smell in the animal kingdom”, even surpassing that of dogs, according to the experts.

They explained: “When used in concentration, essential oils can do wonders to effectively deter rats from your garden due to their potency.

“Peppermint oil, citronella and eucalyptus essential oils in their pure form are all smells that rats will dislike.”

A few drops of these oils in their pure form around the areas you know the rats have been should do the trick.

Alternatively, soak cotton wool in essential oil and place it in areas where rats frequently pass.

Hot pepper solution

Rats are repelled by spicy seasonings such as hot pepper. The gardening experts noted: “Similarly to essential oils, rats’ high sense of smell means they can’t stand hot pepper or anything very spicy so it will deter them forever.

“You can make your own homemade natural rat repellent spray with cayenne pepper or chilli flakes.”

To make this repellent spray, mix cayenne pepper or chilli flakes with water and heat the mixture vigorously to infuse the chilli.

Then allow it to cool – the longer you leave it, the more potent the chilli will be. If gardeners have used chilli flakes, sieve them out.

Afterwards, add a little castile soap and pour it into a spray bottle. The solution can then be applied liberally to areas where there is evidence of rats.

Eliminate food sources

Gardens often attract rats due to the abundance of food sources they provide. There are several measures you can take to ensure your garden doesn’t become a haven for rats.

The specialists advised: “Compost bins are a treasure trove to rats. Ensure your compost bin is secure and move it away from possible routes of access, such as fences and walls.”

If you enjoy feeding the birds in your garden, there’s a high chance that rats may be getting into your bird seeds and nuts.

The professionals recommended: “A squirrel-proof bird feeder will block off rats, and using no-mess seed mix will ensure there is no discarded food left on the ground that may attract rats.”

It’s also important for gardeners to promptly collect fallen fruit from their fruit trees, otherwise, rats may start to feast on the harvest.