Rodents, and rats in particular, can wreak havoc on both your garden and home, leading to costly repairs and potential dangers.

They may chew through insulation, reducing its effectiveness, and even ruin furniture as they nest, and their presence can attract other pests, leading to even greater infestations.

Expert Sam Jenkinson from Tiger Sheds offered valuable insights on how to effectively deter these unwanted visitors by using one natural ingredient.

An effective solution to keep rats at bay is to plant peppermint, which can also be conveniently used as pain relief and in aromatherapy.

The strong scent of peppermint is known to repel these pests, making it an excellent natural deterrent around your garden buildings.

Not only does peppermint discourage rodents, but it also adds beauty to your garden with its delicate purple flowers during the summer months.

As well as planting it, you can create a homemade peppermint spray by mixing 10 drops of peppermint oil with one cup of white vinegar (or three to five drops of dish soap) and one to two cups of water.

Spray this mixture in areas where you’ve noticed rat activity, and they’ll quickly be discouraged from returning.

The expert highlighted: “Rats can squeeze through very small holes, so if your garden buildings have holes, they’ll find their way through.

“This why tongue and groove boards, like shiplap, are a good investment – sheds with overlap or OSB (like large chipboard) seem to have more gaps with weathering or age, so tongue and groove boards are better at stopping intruders, large or small.

“It’s important to seal up any holes in your garden buildings and other garden items such as fences and foundations. You can use wire mesh caulk to do so.”

If your garden building has a power source, you can also plug in an ultrasonic device, which emits high-frequency sound waves that are inaudible to humans but can be irritating to rats and vermin, keeping them away.

However, this system may only be effective as a short-term solution, so consider other additional options to ensure pests stay away for good.