Rat infestations in gardens can be a real headache, and many people’s first instinct is to reach for poison or bait.

However, if you’re looking for a more natural, safe yet effective way to prevent a rodent problem in your garden, then consider growing certain plants that deter rats and other unwanted pests.

Pest control experts at Buzz Boss have recommended growing three plants that not only “add charm” to your garden but also “serve as formidable allies in your battle against rats”, as they “repel” and “keep them at bay”.

1. Black pepper

This spice is a “powerful rat repellent”. Black pepper 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 thrives in warm, humid conditions, with a preference for partial shade and nutrient-rich, damp soil. It’s perfectly suited to being grown in pots, on trellises, or within the confines of a greenhouse, and can be harvested once the berries have fully matured.

2. Lavender

Lavender is a fragrant herb renowned for its calming and relaxing properties, but it’s also a “great rat repellent”, thanks to its strong and pleasant scent that “rats dislike”.

Lavender contains essential oils that act as “natural repellents for rats and other pests”, such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths.

This perennial plant can grow up to 60 cm tall with grey-green leaves and purple-blue flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer.

It can be planted in pots, borders, or beds and can also be used as a hedge or ground cover.

3. Onions

This kitchen staple is “a nemesis of rats”, according to the experts. They said: “It’s a powerful rat repellent because of its pungent smell and taste.”

The pros explained that onions contain sulphur compounds that irritate the eyes and nose (of rats, too) and allicin, which can cause anaemia and oxygen deprivation in rats if ingested.

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

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